My Background
My Inspiration
My Background
Kelsey grew up in Wilkes County, NC. Her father Lyle Wheeler is a master chair maker and blacksmith. When she was 11 years old she was helping him at a craft show in Banner Elk, NC where she was fortunate enough to see North Carolina Heritage potters Glenn and Lula Bolic demonstrating on a kick-wheel outside. She was captivated and wa
Kelsey grew up in Wilkes County, NC. Her father Lyle Wheeler is a master chair maker and blacksmith. When she was 11 years old she was helping him at a craft show in Banner Elk, NC where she was fortunate enough to see North Carolina Heritage potters Glenn and Lula Bolic demonstrating on a kick-wheel outside. She was captivated and watched for hours that day. Eventually Lula asked if she would like to touch the pot while it was on the wheel. Kelsey was so excited. She sat up on the stool, reached out and slid her finger across the piece. It was like her soul became electrified. She knew she wanted to be a ceramic artist. Ever since then she has worked to create that life for herself. Kelsey earned a BFA in ceramics from UNC-A, set up her first studio in 2004, established Plays in Mud Pottery in 2009, became a member of the Southern Highlands Craft Guild in 2012 and opened The Gallery at Plays in Mud Pottery Studio in 2021. Galleries across the country now carry her work.
My Medium
My Inspiration
My Background
Kelsey uses a white stoneware clay from Laguna Clay Company and she mixes all her glazes.
Kelsey loves the feel of clay in her hands as she is centering on the potters wheel. The way her hands slip across the surface excites her with the potential of what she will make with that piece of clay. Each time is an adventure!
My Inspiration
My Inspiration
My Inspiration
It all started in May with an afternoon walk in the woods at Pink Beds located off the Blue Ridge Parkway in Western North Carolina. Kelsey calls it a walk because it is the flattest “hike” in WNC. May is peak flowering time for spring wild flowers and the welcoming of the pollinators. This is a beautiful hike and if you are ever in
It all started in May with an afternoon walk in the woods at Pink Beds located off the Blue Ridge Parkway in Western North Carolina. Kelsey calls it a walk because it is the flattest “hike” in WNC. May is peak flowering time for spring wild flowers and the welcoming of the pollinators. This is a beautiful hike and if you are ever in Asheville, NC Kelsey, encourages you to seek it out. It’s a short drive up the parkway from her studio. Along this hike Kelsey saw Wild Daffodils, Dwarf Irises, Pink Lady Slippers, Trilliums, Jack in the Pulpits, and Violets just to name a few.
This past year Kelsey gave herself permission to create whatever my heart desired. Kelsey enveloped herself in summertime memories from when she was a small person. The mystery of the creative process led her to these new pieces. Each form and surface combines a childhood memory with a representation of the petals, leaves, stems and shadows experienced in her part of the world. The symphony of golden sunlight on the path and the mottling effect it had on the foliage around her led Kelsey to experiment with gold and mother of pearl surface designs. Because of this each piece is unique. The following pieces are the culmination from this creative endeavour.