Meet Lilly Powell

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lilly Powell. 

Hi Lilly, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Northeast Ohio, and have been in KC for two and a half years. I’m a tactile learner and knew that if I was going to justify spend money on school, it’d better be on something I loved. 

I received my BFA in Ceramics from Kent State University in Kent, OH. I chose that path when in my third year, I touched clay again for the first time since high school. I never looked back, it just felt right. While in undergrad, I focused mainly on investigating material. 

Then I completed Post Baccalaureate studies at Indiana University Southeast in New Albany, Indiana, where I started to focus more on the conceptual things that drive me to make objects & sculpture. 

I moved to KC when I received a Residency position at Belger Arts. After completing two years as an Artist in Residence, I now work as their Studio Technician and a Ceramic Instructor. My personal studio space is at Belger as well. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I have always made making art my first priority because that’s when I’m the happiest. All of my life decisions are made in service of that. So, I have defiantly made (what some people would consider) sacrifices in other parts of my life, to make sure I always can afford and have the time to make work. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
When getting my degree I specialized in Clay-Ceramic Chemistry and 3D Design, but now I also use lots of other materials like wood, fabric, and soap. When making sculpture, I try choose my material based off of what makes sense conceptually for the individual piece, because material inherently holds meaning. I’m currently making sculpture exploring representing mundanity and ritual through the formal language of geological fossils. 

I also make functional ceramics, where I get to work out a lot of design ideas and also think about utility. It’s sculpture that interacts/works with the body. 

What were you like growing up?
I’ve always been pretty high energy, and am drawn to various hands-on processes because they keep my hands busy, and therefore my mind quiet. Ever since elementary school, I always have multiple books I’m reading at a time. In 7th and 8th grade I won awards for reading the most books in the school for those academic years. 

I also grew up in the country and spent a lot of my childhood running around in the woods. 

Contact Info:

• Email: lillyyyypowell@gmail.com
• Website: www.lillypowell.com
• Instagram: @lillyyyypowell
• Other: https://belgerarts.org/classes#person

Image Credits
Max Wagner
Elaine Buss