Kat Wheeler Ceramics

Kat Wheeler originates from Knoxville, Tennessee, in the shadows of the Great Smoky Mountains. In 2008, she was awarded a BFA in ceramics from the Appalachian Centre for Crafts at Tennessee Technology University. Shortly after graduation, Kat moved to the UK to work in the production studio at The Leach Pottery in Cornwall. After a decade spent at Leach Pottery, Kat set up her own practice at the Gaol Yard Studios in St.Ives, where her practice is still based.

Kat Wheeler’s work has been shaped by both her American roots and the developmental years at The Leach Pottery. Other major influences include short periods of time spent studying in Australia and Japan.

Kat’s work is largely utilitarian and decorative. It is thrown on the wheel using a grogged terracotta clay. Each piece is decorated with slips using a variety of techniques which include hakeme and scrafitto, as well as slip trailing and layering thick slip to create interesting textures. The work is then glazed simply using ash glazes and fired to 1220 in an electric kiln.