About Britney Smith Ceramics
Artist Bio
Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Britney Smith creates ceramic objects that resonate with individual daily rituals and significant life events. Using traditional methods such as coil building and pinch pot techniques, Smith explores the interplay between domestic wares, matriarchal legacies, and sacred spaces. Smith obtained her MA in ceramics at Carlow University. During her time at Carlow, Smith was introduced to the process of soda firing, a method that has since profoundly influenced her approach to the ceramic medium. Smith has exhibited in spaces such as the Westmoreland Museum of American Art, Concept Art Gallery, and is represented by Charlie Cummings Gallery. Smith was awarded the 2020 and 2021 Emerging Artist Scholarship from Three Rivers Arts Festival and the 2022 Emerging Artist Award from Northern Indiana Clay Alliance. She is currently a member of Sibyl Shrine, Kaboo Clay Collective, and Pittsburgh Society of Artists. Art Program Director at Carlow University and Teaching Artist at Father Ryan Arts Center, Smith is actively involved in collaborating on educational programming, fostering creativity and community, nurturing current and future generations of artists.
Artist Statement
My current work explores historical hand-building practices and the creation of domestic wares—knowledge traditionally passed down by women in some cultures. Drawing on my own cultural background and ancestry, I find inspiration in the legacy and knowledge within my family, honoring traditions shared across generations. Through pinched forms and textured surfaces, I aim to create vessels that speak to these narratives and evoke a sense of connection to those who came before. The recent loss of family matriarchs has brought profound grief, intensifying my awareness of the fragility of these legacies and the need to preserve them. As I explore what it means to pass knowledge on and to leave something of oneself behind, I hope to inspire others to reflect on their own histories and the ways we each carry and share our past.