About

Katie Reeves (they/them) is a 24-year-old Queer ceramic artist originally from Minnesota. They are a both staff and a resident artist at Northern Clay Center. They recently completed two undergraduate degrees in art education and fine arts with a concentration in ceramics at the University of Wisconsin – Stout (Menomonie, WI). In their early teenage years, they threw on the wheel for the first time and immediately fell in love with the medium. Some ten years later, ceramics continues to be their passion. Over the course of the last three-years, Katie’s work has been in over 25 exhibitions across the United States. Focusing on the themes of sexuality, femininity, intimacy, and classicality, they make functional ceramic wares. Katie intends to attend graduate school in the future to become a college professor and maker, but their focus for the time being is to work on building their presence within the field of ceramics.

I make functional ceramicware that focuses on the themes of sexuality, femininity, intimacy, and classicality. Using porcelain as a clay body, and the addition of sprigs and slip trailing, I create work that is feminine and delicate, while simultaneously being bold and sassy. Ergonomics is very prevalent in my body of work. I focus on making work that is comfortable in the hand, and on the mouth. My work emphasizes the moments of contact between the user and the object.

My sexuality plays a large role in what I make. As a lesbian, I am very attracted to femininity. While I do not adhere to the ideas of femininity in the way that I dress or identify, it is incredibly visually appealing to me. As a feminist, I used to reject femininity all together. To me, femininity was rooted in patriarchy and oppression, and was essentially being defined and controlled by men. I wanted nothing to do with it, but through my recent body of work, I have been able to reclaim femininity. Through feminism, femininity can mean whatever I want it to mean. To me, it means comfort, power, beauty, delicacy, and sensuality. Having reclaimed femininity and being able to define it myself has made me fall in love with it. I have also gained a new appreciation for the color pink, which I also used to reject. I now dye some of my porcelain pink because I enjoy the suppleness and softness of the color. This entire process has also helped me fully accept my sexuality. Being attracted to the female form means that I reference it a lot in my forms. I use soft, yet voluptuous curves in my work, making direct references to the female form. In terms of glaze, I use glazes that move during the firing process. The way that the glaze cascades down the curves of the form is something that I am very interested in. I enjoy the materiality and fluidity of the glaze and how juicy and delectable they can look on the form. This emphasizes the sensuality of my pieces and draws attention to each curve. I enjoy how corporeal pots are in general. They have hips, bellies, lips, and a foot. Because of this, I personify all my pots. They have very clear personalities and voices to me.

I am interested in the intimate moments that happen when someone uses my work. Such as how the piece feels in the hand and on the mouth. Every aspect of my functional work is intended to make the user experience and appreciate the curves and textures of my pieces. I attach sprigs on the lips of my cups and mugs, this sprig goes in the mouth when the user takes a drink out of the vessel. The textures of the sprig are then felt on the tongue. It is an incredibly sensual experience. There are many textures for the hands to explore on each piece of my work. I want viewers to be drawn to touch my work. The suppleness of the curves and the textures of the slip trailing are meant to invite the viewer to run their fingers along each piece. I enjoy watching the user interact with the piece as they discover each and every texture.

My work makes direct references to antiquity. Specifically, Baroque and Rococo ornamentation. The detailing that I add to my work, using sprigs and slip reference antique metalware from these time periods. I am drawn to the intricate and extravagant detailing on old metalware, such as that in antique frames, silverware, and furniture. I enjoy the flamboyant and unconstrained qualities of these items. Using slip detailing, I create intricate designs that mimic many of these patterns. I am drawn to the swirl designs, as well as the symmetrical qualities of this classical ornamentation. I enjoy the combinations of decorative embellishments and use many of these qualities in my functionalware. These techniques give them a classical and elegant look.

University of Wisconsin-Stout Honors College.

Graduated December 2021.

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art-Ceramics

Bachelor of Science in Art Education

2022-2023, Fogelberg Resident Artist. Northern Clay Center. Minneapolis, MN.

2023:

A Seat at the Table. Clay Art Center, Port Chester, New York

In Plain Sight. Northern Clay Center. Minneapolis, Minnesota

Resident Artist Display, Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota

NCECA Gallery Expo, Duke Energy Convention Center, Cincinnati, Ohio

Useful Space, Clay Center of New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana

2022:

Winter Show, Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota

A Bowl Lotta Love, Mason Gallery of Crafts and Fine Arts, Cincinnati, Ohio

San Angelo National Ceramics Competition, San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts, San Angelo, Texas

Effeminate, University of Wisconsin-Stout, Gallery 209, Menomonie, Wisconsin

Paper and Clay , Caine College of the Arts, Department of Art and Design, Logan, Utah

Mom, I’m Scared , University of Wisconsin-Stout, Gallery 209, Menomonie, Wisconsin

10th Annual Cup Show, Jansen Art Center, Lynden, Washington

And Justice for All , University of Wisconsin-Stout, Gallery 209, Menomonie, Wisconsin

SIP: A Ceramic Cup Show, Savannah Clay Community, Savannah, GA

2021:

406 Cups, Wildfire Ceramics Studio, Missoula, Montana

Pride Art Show , The Woman’s Club of Minneapolis, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Images of Exchange, University of Wisconsin-Stout, Gallery 209, Menomonie, Wisconsin

Silica, University of Wisconsin-Stout, Gallery 209, Menomonie, Wisconsin

Paper and Clay, Caine College of the Arts, Department of Art and Design, Logan, Utah

Advanced Sculpture Show, Online Exhibition

SIP: A Ceramic Cup Show, Online Exhibition

Aesthetics in the Studio, Online Exhibition

My Voice, My Truth, The Art Garage, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Playground, Wildfire Ceramics Studio, Missoula, Montana

Venn Diagram, University of Wisconsin-Stout, Gallery 209, Menomonie, Wisconsin.

2019:

Behind the Stage, Mable Tainter Center for the Arts, Menomonie, Wisconsin

2018:

Offhand Ceramics. University of Wisconsin-Stout, Gallery 209, Menomonie, Wisconsin

2017:

Scholastic Art and Writings Awards National Exhibition, Shelia C. Johnson Design Center at Parsons School of Design at The New School, New York City. New York

Scholastic Art and Writings Awards Exhibition, Regis Center for the Arts, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Outreach Technician

Outreach Technician at Northern Clay Center July 2022-Present.

Transportation of all materials and projects for off-site clay events, wheel demos, and partnerships with other organizations. Track firings of all outreach activities, including off-site clay events, for ClayToGo and ART@HAND residencies. General materials maintenance including clay recycling and glaze mixing.

Ceramics Instructor

Ceramics Instructor at Eagan Art House September 2022-Present.

Taught ceramics students of all ages and skill level. Worked with the students over 6 week intervals to advance their understanding of both hand building and throwing techniques. Created a positive learning environment.

Clay Camp Instructor

Instructor for 7 Clay Camps at Northern Clay Center. Summer 2022.

Taught beginner ceramics students ranging in ages from 10-14 how to throw on the potter’s wheel. Worked with the students over the course of a week to make several projects to completion. Created a positive learning environment. Gave numerous demonstrations.

American Pottery Festival Intern

Intern at Northern Clay Center for the American Pottery Festival. August 2021-September 2021.

Packaged and shipped orders. Worked closely with customers. Assisted with inventory of work as it entered the gallery. Assisted with the display of work in the gallery.

Clay Camp Assistant

Assistant to a Clay Camp Teacher at Northern Clay Center. Summer 2021.

Worked closely with beginner ceramics students ranging in ages from 10-14. Created a positive learning environment. Gave numerous demonstrations.

Head of Work Study

Head of work study-Ceramics Lab-University of Wisconsin-Stout. December 2020-May 2020.

Oversee and organize work study staff to keep the Ceramics Lab running efficiently. Delegate and distribute tasks, manage scheduling, and train new work study.

Ceramics Guild President

President of the University of Wisconsin-Stout Ceramics Guild. January 2020-May 2021.

Organize and lead club of UW-Stout Ceramics students. Plan and organize sales. Lead a group of students in the firings of gas/electric kilns.

Teaching Assistant

Teaching Assistant for Ceramics Professor Kate Maury-University of Wisconsin-Stout. Fall 2019-Spring 2021.

Assist Kate with various classroom tasks. Teach students lessons, while learning how to run a classroom effectively. Make schedules for the students to follow throughout the semester.

2023, Summer Newsletter, Northern Clay Center

2023, Spring Newsletter, Northern Clay Center

2022, 24th San Angelo National Ceramics Competition Catalog, San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts

2022, Effeminate, University of Wisconsin-Stout Journal of Student Research

2022, SEIZE THE CLAY: Katie Reeves Reclaims Her Femininity Through Her Ceramic Art, Volume One Magazine

2022, Artist of the Month, Raw Deal Online Article

2017, Three STMA HS Students Receive Prestigious Award, Recognized at Carnegie Hall in NYC, North Wright County Today