Today we’d like to introduce you to Carrie Creech
Hi Carrie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
As a Greenville native, my love for ceramics began in high school, sparked by admiration for local makers. Clay has a unique way of drawing people into a humble, tight-knit community—where conversations about dirt and fire can last for hours. But beyond that, the process of working with clay mirrors the human experience: transformation, patience, refinement, resilience, and growth.
When I first started, ceramic artists & potters were few and far between in Greenville, making the community small but deeply connected. After attending a small private college in Greenville’s Dark Corner, I transferred to Clemson University, where I studied visual arts with a ceramics concentration under Mike Vatalaro (now retired in Greenville) and Sue Grier.
During my years at Clemson, my father’s health declined. After graduating, I returned home to spend time with my family, leading to a decade-long pause in my studio practice. Following my father’s passing, I turned to clay as a way to process my grief, using my work to explore healing and emotion. What began as questions evolved into a deeply expressive series—gestural, raw, and fluid. From a wheel-thrown mug to large-scale sculpture, each piece starts as a gesture—manifested through form, brushstroke, or texture—capturing fleeting moments and the essence of movement.
From 2017 to 2020, I immersed myself in continuing education through residencies across the Southeast and an apprenticeship with Michael Kline, a potter based in Penland, NC. The events of 2020 ultimately brought me back to Greenville, where I established my studio and began sharing my work with the community that first inspired me.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There have been many challenges along the way—from navigating the world as an artist to owning a business to working in a region where ceramics is often seen as mere craft rather than an art form. But these challenges are part of my story. I like to think of them as threads woven into a larger tapestry. Do I enjoy them while I’m in the thick of it? Not usually. But stepping back to see the bigger picture brings a completely different perspective. I can say that with confidence because Christ gives me hope and a solid foundation. Without that hope, I’d be lost in the weight of such challenges.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m deeply grateful for the generosity of the many incredible ceramic artists who shared their knowledge and passion for clay—often paired with the best food, served on the most beautiful plates. My plate is full and overflowing from opportunities assisting and learning from artists like Michael Sherrill, Akira Sitake, Suze Lindsay, and Cynthia Bringle, to name just a few. These artists have left a lasting imprint on the work I create today.
I make ceramic housewares designed to enrich the home, spark curiosity, and challenge the rituals of everyday life. Using locally sourced materials from the Carolinas, every piece is handmade, wheel-thrown, and altered.
Currently, I offer classes at my studio and workshops across the Southeast at various art centers. Teaching allows me to give back and pass on the same beautiful generosity I’ve received from so many others.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned so far is consistency is key. Some days, like any job, I don’t feel like showing up. But in those small moments of showing up, there are little sparks of magic in the mundane. AND asking the Lord to be a part of my practice, to guide the work.
Pricing:
- Range $15-$600
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.carriecreech.com
- Instagram: carriercreech
- Facebook: carriecreechceramics
