Kelsey Smith
Kelsey Smith, owner of Hilo Studios, is a functional potter and artist native to Middle Tennessee. Kelsey is a lover of all art practices and helping people along their creative journeys. She graduated with her BFA in ceramics from Middle Tennessee State University in 2014. Since then, she has honed her passion for helping others create by teaching at several art education institutions including Cheekwood, the Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, and her own studio. Her work has been in a number of honorable shows and publications including The Nashville Scene, Murfreesboro Magazine. She was awarded Best New Exhibitor at the 51st Annual Spring Tennessee Craft Fair and Best Newcomer at the 2024 Fiddlers Jamboree. After years of working as an art educator, Kelsey is currently serving on the board at the McMinnville Children's Museum and creating functional ceramics full-time in her home studio. You can find her work at John C. Campbell Craft Shop and at www.hilostudios.co.
“I consider myself a traditional potter, working in thrown and hand-built pottery with a folk design aesthetic. These patterns and elements are inspired by my family's farm, located in McMinnville, TN. I am currently using midrange clay and glazes, creating all food- and dishwasher-safe functional pottery. I got my start in the arts studying culinary arts, but the better I got at sculpting and designing, the more it hurt destroying those very tasty designs. I signed up for my first pottery class in 2012 and was instantly hooked. I got my BFA in 2014 with a concentration in ceramics, and I have been working as a functional potter since.”
2026 Shows
•Dogwood Arts Festival-Knoxville April 2026
•55th Annual Spring Tennessee Craft Fair May 2026
•Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands july 2026
•Tomato Art Fest August 2026
2025 Shows
•54th Annual Spring Tennessee Craft Fair May 2025
•Smithville Fiddlers Jamboree July 2025
•John C. Campbell Folk School Fall Festival October 2025
•Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands October 2025
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/hilo.studios.pottery/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hilo.studios
Website: https://www.hilostudios.co/
