Austin P. Smith

Austin P. Smith was born and raised in Mid-Coast Maine.
From 2003 to 2007 he attended Bennington College in
Southern Vermont, and graduated with a BA in Liberal Arts,
focus in Ceramics.
It’s the versatile nature of clay that attracts Austin to this
material. Few other materials have so many facets to their
process. Especially with slip cast work (which allows the
artist to make multiples of one piece) this provides the
opportunity for tweaking elements of a piece throughout
its physical gestation. This “Choose-Your-Own-Adventure”
approach to making can both free an artist to create with
abandon, and push him to fine-tune a piece to an exact
specification.
Austin’s work explores the dichotomy between utilitarian
function and delicate aesthetic. The porcelain and Celadon
glazes evoke an almost ethereal lightness, yet the form
itself is heavily carved, like a tree trunk transformed by a
chainsaw.
Austin has kept a studio at the Lincoln Street Center since
2007, when, after leaving college, he wanted a place to create
and be inspired by others creating around him. This past year
he has taken on a teaching role in our community, and enjoys
the chance to pass along his love of clay.
 For more images and information go to: www.austinpsmith.com