Bekah Bliss ( she/her )

The sensation of holding a weathered stone and caressing its surface is an experience I hold close in my mind. Considering the tactile has always been intriguing to me and reflecting on these moments of interaction with texture feeds my energy in the studio. I’m often searching for ways to incorporate texture into pots: leaving evidence of fingerprints, encouraging surface cracks, using the contrast of smooth edges to finish a piece. Once a vessel takes shape, I carefully consider how applied designs can emphasize the form or create a balanced visual tension. Using subtle colors, I highlight the motif with tonal variations. The applied finish has a soft and inviting patina with a dimensional quality that is comforting to the touch. As my pots function in daily life, I hope to evoke a conscious interaction from the user to discover textures captured on the surface.

Bekah Bliss is a ceramic artist living in her hometown of Kansas City, Missouri. Bekah received a BFA in Ceramics and a BSED in Art Education from Missouri State University in 2016. Recently selected as one of Ceramic Monthly’s Emerging Artists, Bekah’s functional ceramics are carefully considered — utilizing textured surfaces, modeled on elements of nature and architecture. In 2019, Bekah joined the KC Urban Potters, an artist collective that’s expanding the visibility of contemporary studio pottery through public lectures and curated exhibitions, alongside events like the Midwest Pottery Festival. Bekah currently teaches monthly classes at the Belger Arts Center and is the part-time studio manager for 323CLAY.