Talk about Art

By the time most of us become adults, we have stopped making mud pies in the back yard. But for potter Kassie Smith of Moscow, Ida., the activities of childhood have morphed into the artisanship of adulthood.

"I get to play in the dirt every day, and it's awesome," the artist says.

Smith, who holds a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Idaho, juggles a number of pursuits in her career as an artist: she is a ceramics technician and instructor at Washington State University. When she's not doing that, she is instructor and studio manager at the pottery studio at the Dahmen Barn in Uniontown, WA.

And when she's not doing that, she's creating ceramics for her art business, K Smith Ceramics. These range from functional art for restaurant ware, to the unique, unusual, eclectic conversation starters that resist fitting into categories.

"My work tends to focus on female empowerment," Smith says. "Even in regular ole functional pottery – as a female entrepreneur and artist I am working to empower other women.

"The content of my art often has imagery relating to the female body – either with objects that suggest a relationship or forms that allude."

Smith says that she always works in multiples and quantity, because the more she does, the more likely the lightning bolt of inspiration will strike, causing a change in direction. Most recently she has created collections of smiling mugs – featuring a real solid gold tooth within each grin – and rocket-themed drinking ware with bells and whistles and knobs.

"I give myself permission to stray from the project parameters and let the clay guide me in its development."

Through August 10, Smith is showing a selection of her unconventional work at Wenaha Gallery, 219 E. Main, Dayton. The rocket mugs, especially, are well timed for the 50th celebration of the Apollo Moon Landing (July 20), while the smiling mugs remind us that a little levity is appropriate any time of year, on any planet.

(Wenaha Gallery is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday.)