Josh Smith

I graduated from the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University with honors in 2014. I was first introduced to ceramics while at Alfred and felt an immediate connection with the material, and the pottery wheel. A few weeks before graduating from Alfred, I was recruited to help open the first US branch of Spin Ceramics in New York City. I completed a four month residency at Sculpture Space NYC during my time in the big apple. Unfortunately I was not able to spend as much time on my artistic practice as I had hoped due to time constraints at work. I decided to leave Spin in order to pursue my artistic practice full time at the Saratoga Clay Arts Center in upstate New York. In 2015 I applied, and was accepted, as an artist in residence at the Taos Clay Studio, in El Prado, New Mexico. After completing my year long residency in Taos, I moved back to upstate NY to take over as Gallery Director at the Saratoga Clay Arts Center. I am currently making my living from a combination of making and teaching. Teaching has become a huge source of happiness for me.

Artist Statement

Perhaps as a result of my Quaker upbringing, I have come to believe in the power of silence, of reducing distractions and noise in order to create a deeper, more profound experience of daily life. I choose to express these ideals through utilitarian ceramic vessels. Through everyday interaction, a pot affects us differently than a painting or a print. Indeed, functional pottery breaks down the barriers to many forms of art — the simple act of holding a pot can prompt one to take notice of different aspects of life. By using the hand, you are more apt to slow down, to notice the grip of the handle and the softness of the lip. This simple, but intimate, interaction can create a moment of quiet reflection. Taken together, these flittering moments of peaceful serenity are life affirming. Knowing that, through their use, the pieces I create have the potential to enhance the lives of others is a source of great joy and personal satisfaction.