Meet Kelly Kaatz | Ceramic Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kelly Kaatz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kelly, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
From a young age I’ve always been creative. I never planned on starting my own business but after graduating with a BFA in sculpture and metals, I worked for several artists who were also successful entrepreneurs. I learned a lot about making work to sell, packing, art fairs and other logistics of an art business. Simultaneously, I was learning how to make clay objects. People seemed attracted to my work, plus I loved working with clay as a medium so I decided to keep renting studio space to push my skill. I participated in local art fairs, pop ups and galleries while working full time as a Director of a non-profit gallery. After 9 years of doing both, I felt like I could go further with ceramics if I quit my job at the gallery and completely focused on my business. I became a full time ceramicist on November 12, 2021.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I never really thought of myself or my work as a brand. I am a one woman business and always think of myself as a maker first. I set out to make ceramic work unlike anything out there. Most of my success comes from making unique contemporary designs but I am also very driven. I’m tenacious with a good amount of grit. Clocking out is not an option and it takes a lot of mental/physical energy to stay relevant and be competitive in the art world.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
After bagels at New York Bagel in Ferndale, we would jump in my minivan and take it to Eastern Market. Unload the road bikes and ride down the Dequindre Cut to the Riverfront and head to Belle Isle. Come back through downtown and just pop into a few restaurants/bars that are Detroit staples- Grand Trunk, Checker Bar or Jacoby’s. Cocktails at Cafe De Mongos, or Two James Distillery. Thursday-Saturday there are lots of art events that can be found at artdetroitnow.com. If you are looking for live music, there are always tons of shows happening. I typically find myself in Hamtramck at Outer Limits Lounge, Ghostlight, Smalls or Sanctuary. My two favorite bars also reside in Hamtramck- Bumbos and Henrietta Haus.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There’s so many people that I owe my success to. Local potter, Carole Berhorst taught me everything there is to know about the art fair business. Local fused glass artist, Nina Cambron taught me how wholesale and packing works plus some design theory. Friends and professors from college probably shaped my practice and habits. All of the restaurants/bars I worked at helped me become a people person, made me think fast and taught me how to work hard and have fun. My responsible friends made me dinner when I didn’t have time/money. Most of all my mom, Cynthia Kaatz who believed that I could do it and gave (and gives) me lots of encouragement along the way.

Website: www.kellykaatz.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelly_kaatz/

Image Credits
Kelly Kaatz