Ceramic Sculptor
Artist Website
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Contact Email Address
Member of Flag since 2024
Artist Statement
My ceramic work explores memory, transformation, time, and the emotional landscapes that shape human experience. Through figurative sculpture and functional forms, I create objects that hold symbolic meaning for reflection, narrative, and intention.
Fragments of the body, boats, and clouds appear throughout my work to express the shifting nature of memory and the passage of time. Doors and clocks suggest introspection and impermanence, inviting viewers to consider how perception, identity, and inner life are continually shaped by change. Influenced in part by surreal and psychological storytelling, these works often evoke a dreamlike space between memory and imagination.
Other figurative wall sculptures focus on cycles of life, renewal, and hope. Birch tree limbs symbolize protection, wisdom, and regeneration, while bird-like elements represent freedom and the soul’s journey. Flowers emerging from the figures, dandelions, sunflowers, and poppies embody wish, joy, resilience, peace, and new beginnings, reflecting both personal and universal cycles of growth.
My “Juju” pieces extend these ideas into playful but intentional forms. These ceramic dolls are named after individuals who embody kindness and positivity, and they are adorned with pearl pins that affirm words such as love, strength, joy, health, and gratitude, amplifying rather than diminishing energy, in contrast to traditional voodoo imagery. Alongside these, I create functional ceramic pieces designed to carry and circulate positive intention into everyday life.
Many of my figurative sculptures also hold sage for smudging, an ancient purification practice. These works are created as ritual objects for cleansing, balance, and clarity, where engraved words like “Hope,” “Love,” “Health,” and “Strength” become active intentions released as the sage burns- transforming the piece into both sculpture and moment of renewal.
Across all of my work, I am interested in transformation, of material, memory, and emotion, inviting moments of reflection, grounding, and quiet connection.
About the Artist
Kelly is a skilled ceramic artist with a deep commitment to her craft. She earned her BFA in Ceramics from California State University, Chico, and her MFA in Ceramics at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. With over 20 years of experience teaching ceramics, most of which were at the collegiate level, Kelly has shared her expertise and passion with students across the country.
Her work has been exhibited nationally and has garnered recognition in renowned publications such as A Ceramic Guide, 500 Figures in Clay, Ceramics Monthly, Clay Times Magazine, and Dick Blick Artist’s Resources.
Currently based in Port Orange, Florida, Kelly works as a full-time artist, blending her love for figurative sculpture with functional pottery. Her art is deeply personal and healing, often created with the intention of promoting positivity and emotional well-being. Through her work, Kelly continues to inspire others, using her craft as a form of self-expression and a source of therapeutic healing.
EDUCATION:
M.F.A. University of Tennessee, Knoxville (ceramics) 2003
B.F.A. California State University, Chico (ceramics) 1999
TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
Director of Ceramics & Education/Instructor, Jane’s Art Center, FL 2019-2023
Associate Faculty, Daytona State College, FL 2014-2016
Associate Faculty, MiraCosta College, CA 2006-2012
Instructional Associate, MiraCosta College, CA 2008-2012
(Nominated by MiraCosta College faculty & Staff for 2010 Outstanding Classified Employee award)
Associate Faculty, Mount San Jacinto College, CA 2007-2009
Instructor, Fallbrook Art Campus, Fallbrook, CA 2005- 2012
Instructor, Berning Clay Gallery, Fallbrook, CA 2005-2012
Instructor, Campbell’s Ceramics, Knoxville, TN 2004
Associate Faculty, Maryville College, Maryville, TN 2004
Instructor, The Pottery School, Knoxville, TN 2003
Graduate Teaching Associate, University of Tennessee, Knoxville 2000-2003
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS:
2025
“75th Annual FLAG Exhibition and Symposium” Helmar and Enole Nielsen Center for Visual Arts, Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, FL
“Dreamscapes” Kelly and Trent Berning solo show, Arts On Douglas Fine Art and Collectibles, New Smyrna Beach, FL
“Off The Beatin’ Path Florida Arts Tours”, East Volusia County, FL
“Florida Artist Group: A Collection of sculptural and 2D works” Casselbury Sculpture House, Casselbury, FL
2024
“Off The Beatin’ Path Florida Arts Tours”, East Volusia County, FL
Year Round Featured Artist, Florida CraftArt, St. Petersberg, FL
Year Round Featured Artist, Arts On Douglas Fine Art and Collectibles, New Smyrna Beach, FL
“Endless Summer” Arts on Douglas, New Smyrna Beach, FL
“Small Things Considered” Arts on Douglas, New Smyrna Beach, FL
2023
“Small Things Considered” Arts on Douglas, New Smyrna Beach, FL
“Past Perfect Exhibition” Arts on Douglas, New Smyrna Beach, FL
“Endless Summer” Arts on Douglas, New Smyrna Beach, FL
Year Round Featured Artist, Florida CraftArt, St. Petersberg, FL
Year Round Featured Artist, Arts On Douglas Fine Art and Collectibles, New Smyrna Beach, FL
2022
“Cultivating Clay: A Survey of Chico State Ceramics Since 1996” Chico, CA 2022
“Small Things Considered” Arts on Douglas, New Smyrna Beach, FL
“Endless Summer” Arts on Douglas, New Smyrna Beach, FL
Year Round Featured Artist, Florida CraftArt, St. Petersberg, FL
Year Round Featured Artist, Arts On Douglas Fine Art and Collectibles, New Smyrna Beach, FL2021
“Small Things Considered” Arts on Douglas, New Smyrna Beach, FL
“Past Perfect Exhibition” Arts on Douglas, New Smyrna Beach, FL
“Endless Summer” Arts on Douglas, New Smyrna Beach, FL
Year Round Featured Artist, Florida CraftArt, St. Petersberg, FL
Year Round Featured Artist, Arts On Douglas Fine Art and Collectibles, New Smyrna Beach, FL
2020
Surface Exploration- from the uncanny, the uncouth, to the sublime, Longwood Center for the Visual Arts, Farmville, VA
“Endless Summer” Arts on Douglas, New Smyrna Beach, FL
47th Art Festival Beth-el, Temple Beth-El, St. Petersburg, FL
“Off The Beatin’ Path Florida Arts Tours”, East Volusia County, FL
Year Round Featured Artist, Florida CraftArt, St. Petersberg, FL
Year Round Featured Artist, Arts On Douglas Fine Art and Collectibles, New Smyrna Beach, FL
2019
Daytona State Arts Faculty: Paintings and Ceramics, MOFAC at South Florida State
College, Avon Park, FL
“Small Things Considered” Arts on Douglas, New Smyrna Beach, FL
“Off The Beatin’ Path Florida Arts Tours”, East Volusia County, FL
“Put a Bird on it” Arts on Douglas, New Smyrna Beach, FL
Year Round Featured Artist, Florida CraftArt, St. Petersberg, FL
Year Round Featured Artist, Arts On Douglas Fine Art and Collectibles, New Smyrna Beach, FL
2018
Dia De Los Muertos: A Celebration of Life, Florida CraftArt, St. Petersburg, FL
45th Art Festival Beth-el, Temple Beth-El, St. Petersburg, FL
“Small Things Considered” Arts on Douglas, New Smyrna Beach, FL
“Endless Summer” Arts on Douglas, New Smyrna Beach, FL
Year Round Featured Artist, Florida CraftArt, St. Petersberg, FL
Year Round Featured Artist, Arts On Douglas Fine Art and Collectibles, New Smyrna Beach, FL
2017
“Small Things Considered” Arts on Douglas, New Smyrna Beach, FL
“Unconditional” Kelly Berning solo show, Arts On Douglas Fine Art and Collectibles, New Smyrna Beach, FL
“Members’ Show: Contemporary Craft at its finest,” Florida CraftArt, St. Petersburg, FL
“Creatures: Wild and Wooly” Florida CraftArt, St. Petersburg, FL
Year Round Featured Artist, Florida CraftArt, St. Petersberg, FL
Year Round Featured Artist, Arts On Douglas Fine Art and Collectibles, New Smyrna Beach, FL
2016
“21st San Angelo National Ceramic Competition” San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts, San Angelo, TX
“Endless Summer” Arts on Douglas, New Smyrna Beach, FL
Year Round Featured Artist, Arts On Douglas Fine Art and Collectibles, New Smyrna Beach, FL
2015
“Daytona State Faculty Show” News Journal Center, Daytona Beach, FL
“Endless Summer” Arts on Douglas, New Smyrna Beach, FL
“Small Things Considered” Arts on Douglas, New Smyrna Beach, FL
Year Round Featured Artist, Arts On Douglas Fine Art and Collectibles, New Smyrna Beach, FL
2014
“Small Things Considered” Arts on Douglas, New Smyrna Beach, FL
“Eclectic Sets and Marionettes” Arts on Douglas, New Smyrna Beach, FL
“New Artist Exhibition 2014” Arts on Douglas, New Smyrna Beach, FL
Year Round Featured Artist, Arts On Douglas Fine Art and Collectibles, New Smyrna Beach, FL
2013
“Small Things Considered” Arts on Douglas, New Smyrna Beach, FL
“Daytona State Faculty Show” News Journal Center, Daytona Beach, FL
“Varied States” Harry Krug Gallery: Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS
“Coast to Coast by Post: A Sculptural Exploration” University of Wyoming Visual Arts Building Gallery, Laramie, WY
Year Round Featured Artist, Arts On Douglas Fine Art and Collectibles, New Smyrna Beach, FL
2012
“Small Things Considered” Arts on Douglas, New Smyrna Beach, FL
“Contemporary Clay Invitational” J Fergeson Gallery, Farmville, VA
“Art Matters” Keystone Artist – Huntington Library, San Marino, CA
“Kilnopening.edu” AMOCA, Pomona, CA
“Beyond The Limit” Hyde Art Gallery, Grossmont College, El Cajon, CA
Year Round Featured Artist, Arts On Douglas Fine Art and Collectibles, New Smyrna Beach, FL
2011
“MiraCosta College Art Faculty Exhibition” Kruglak Gallery, Oceanside, CA
“West Coast Mudslingers” Brand Library, Glendale, CA
“The Art of Clay” AMOCA, Pomona, CA Juried Exhibition
“ACGA Clay and Glass National Juried Competition” City of Brea Art Gallery, Brea, CA (1st Place) Juried Exhibition-juror Jo Lauria.
2010
“The Gray Area” featuring Trent Berning, Darrin Ekern, Ryan Hurst, Sasha K. Reibstein, Adrian Sandstrom, and Kelly Berning. Kruglak Gallery, MiraCosta College, Oceanside, CA
“A New Decade of Clay” Co-sponsored by Sierra Nevada College, Clay Times Magazine and Northstar-at-Tahoe, Lake Tahoe, CA (2nd Place) Juried Exhibition-juror: Richard Shaw
“MiraCosta College Art Faculty Exhibition” Kruglak Gallery, Oceanside, CA
2010 Juried All-Media Exhibition, Palos Verdes, CA Juried Exhibition
“Kilnopening.edu” AMOCA, Pomona, CA Juried Exhibition
“Feats of Clay XX111” Lincoln CA Juried Exhibition-juror: William VanGilder
2009
“Teapots: Object to Subject” William D. Cannon Art Gallery, Carlsbad, CA
“Diversity in Clay” AMOCA, Pomona, CA Juried Exhibition
“Ink and Clay 35” Kellogg Art Gallery: California Polytechnic State University, Pomona Juried Exhibition-juror: Christy Johnson
“MiraCosta College Art Faculty Exhibition” Kruglak Gallery, Oceanside, CA
“Mount San Jacinto Art Faculty Exhibition” MSJC Art Gallery, San Jacinto, CA
2008
“Dots, Pots, and Whimsical Thoughts: featuring Ricky Maldonado, Adrian Sandstrom, Kelly Berning and Trent Berning” Creative Arts Center, Burbank, CA
“Diversity in Clay” AMOCA, Pomona, CA Juried Exhibition
“2008 President’s Show” Creative Arts Gallery, Burbank, CA Juried Exhibition
“Ink and Clay 34” Kellogg Art Gallery: California Polytechnic State University, Pomona (Honorable Mention) Juried Exhibition-juror: Darrel Couturier
“Recent Work: Contemporary Ceramics by Kelly and Trent Berning” Clay Mix, Fresno, CA
“Peepshow” A NCECA Invitational”, Pittsburgh, PN
“Dust to Decadence: A Ceramics invitational, Boehm Gallery, San Marcos, CA
“MiraCosta College Art Faculty Exhibition” Kruglak Gallery, Oceanside, CA
“Art of the Earth” Fallbrook Art Center, Fallbrook, CA Juried Exhibition
“Juried Show of Fine Art” Fallbrook Art Center, CA Juried Exhibition
“A celebration of Artists from MiraCosta College” Rhino Art Co., Encinitas, CA
2007
“President’s Show: Extreme Clay” AMOCA, Pomona, CA Juried Exhibition
“Juried Show of Fine Art” Fallbrook Art Center, CA (2nd place) Juried Exhibition
“All’s Fair in Art” Fallbrook Art Center, CA Juried Exhibition
“MiraCosta College Art Faculty Exhibition” Kruglak Gallery, Oceanside, CA2006
“The Art of the Holiday” Fallbrook Art Center, CA Juried Exhibition
“Open Juried Show of Fine Art” Fallbrook Art Center, CA (Honorable Mention) Juried Exhibition
“2006 San Diego County Fair” Grand Hall, Del Mar, CA Juried Exhibition
“The Spring Membership Show of Fine Art” Fallbrook Art Center, CA (1st place)
2005
“Amaco Invitational” American Art Clay Company, Indianapolis, IN
“The Bizarre Show” Gallery 104, San Clemente, CA
“2005 San Diego County Fair” Grand Hall, Del Mar, CA (2nd place) Juried Exhibition
“The Art of the Holiday” Fallbrook Art Center, CA Juried Exhibition
“Incorporating Art into Daily Life” Fallbrook Art Center, CA Juried Exhibition
“The Spring Membership Show of Fine Art” Fallbrook Art Center, CA (2nd place)
2004
“Resident Artist Exhibition” Campbell’s Ceramics Supply, Knoxville, TN
“REM Exhibition” Fargason Art Center, Anniston, AL
“Let’s Play” Stretch Gallery, Solo Exhibition, Pineville, NC
“Juried Show of Fine Art” Fallbrook Art Center, CA Juried Exhibition
2003
“16th National Juried Art Exhibition” South Cobb Arts Alliance, Mableton, GA
(Award of Merit) Juried Exhibition
“Knoxville and Vicinity MFA Alumni Exhibition” Ewing Gallery of Art and Architecture, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
“Recent works by Kelly Berning” Walters State Community College Art Gallery, Solo Exhibition, Morristown,TN
“Mental Maelstrom” M.F.A. Exhibition, Ewing Gallery, Solo Exhibition, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
2002
“Ceramics of Adam Paulek, Trent Berning and Kelly Berning” Roane State Community College, Harriman, TN
2001
“Blonde” Gallery 1010, Candy Factory, Knoxville, TN
1999
“A Walk Inside” BFA Exhibition, BFA Gallery, Solo Exhibition, California State University Chico
PUBLICATIONS/CITATIONS/ TELEVISION APPEARANCES:
A Ceramic Guide: The Art Of Creating and Teaching Wheel Thrown Ceramics, pages 169, 209, 230
Daytona Beach News Journal, “Arts on Douglas Opens Fall Season.” Sept. 11, 2014, p. 1
500 Figures in Clay, Volume 2, p.299 Lark books 2014
Clay Times Magazine, Volume 18, Issue 94, p.34
Dick Blick Artist’s Resources, 2011-2012, p. 477 & p. 482
Glendale News-Press, “Making Mud Magical”, p. A7 & A8, Aug.14, 2011
Boulevard Magazine, December 2010/January 2011, p.16
Clay Times Magazine, Volume 16, Issue 28, p.30 and poster insert
Dick Blick Artist’s Resources, 2010-2011, p. 479 & p. 484
AMACO Catalogue, 2010 p. 16
Arts and Activities Magazine, February 2010 issue, p. 23
Southern California Life, Featured Artist, (Providing Local, Regional & National News Pertinent to the Inland Empire & Southern Cal. Seen on Mediacom, AT&T, FiOS, Time Warner, Charter, Dish, Direct TV.) Murrieta, CA 10/01/09
The Village News, “Splashes of Color and Attitude at Berning Clay Gallery,” April 14 2005, Issue 14, vol. 9
Live at Five, Featured Artist, Channel 10 News, Knoxville, TN 2004
Ceramics Monthly, “Upfront,” December 2003, p. 22-23
The Bulletin, “WSCC Art Gallery Features Berning Exhibition,” October 1 2003, Vol. 34, Issue 6
Metropulse, “Art From Alums,” July 31-August 6th, Vol. 13 issue 31, 2003
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Camp David, The Clay Lady Campus, Nashville, TN, 2016
Artist lecturer for the “Brown Paper Bag Series” to students and the community at DSC, 2015
Selected Artist to make 2011 distributor achievement award plaques for Skutt Kilns
Curator Kruglak Gallery Ceramics Invitational “The Gray Area” Oceanside, CA October-November 2010
Visiting artist lecture and workshop, Mendocino Art Center, Mendocino, CA 2009
Visiting artist lecture and workshop, Mendocino Art Center, Mendocino, CA 2008 Visiting artist lecture, Clay Mix, Fresno CA 2008
Visiting artist lecture and workshop, Palomar College, San Marcos, CA 2007
Visiting artist lecture and workshop, Merit College, Oakland, CA 2005
Visiting artist lecture and workshop, Mt. Diablo High School, Concord, CA 2005
Glazestorm, AMACO and University of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 2004
Resident Artist, Campbell’s Ceramic Supply, Knoxville, TN 2004
Visiting artist lecture and workshop, Walters State Community College, Morristown, TN 2003
AWARDS
2025
Laguna Clay Company Merchandise Award, “75th Annual FLAG Exhibition and Symposium” Helmar and Enole Nielsen Center for Visual Arts, Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, FL Juror- Aaron Collier
2011
1st Place “ACGA Clay and Glass National Juried Competition”, City of Brea Art Gallery, Brea, CA Juror-Jo Lauria
2010
2nd Place “A New Decade of Clay” co-sponsored by Sierra Nevada College, Clay times magazine and Northstar-at-Tahoe, Lake Tahoe, CA Juror-Richard Shaw Nominated by MiraCosta College faculty and staff for Outstanding Classified Employee Award
2008
Honorable Mention “Ink and Clay 34” Kellogg Art Gallery: California Polytechnic State University, Pomona. Juror: Darrel Couturier
2007
2nd Place “Juried Show of Fine Art” The Art and Cultural Center, Fallbrook, CA
2006
Honorable mention “Juried Show of Fine Art” The Art and Cultural Center, Fallbrook, CA First Place, ““The Spring Membership Show of Fine Art” The Art and Cultural Center, Fallbrook, CA
2005
Second Place, “2005 San Diego County Fair” Grand Hall, Del Mar, CA
Second Place, ““The Spring Membership Show of Fine Art” The Art and Cultural Center, Fallbrook, CA
2004
First Place, “Juried Show of Fine Art” The Art and Cultural Center, Fallbrook, CA
2003
Award of Merit, “16th National Juried Art Exhibition” South Cobb Art Alliance, Mableton, GA
ACTIVE MEMBERSHIPS
Atlantic Center for the Arts, New Smyrna Beach, FL
HCR (Human Rights Campaign LGBTQ+)
NCECA (National Council of Education for Ceramic Arts)
Florida CraftArt, St. Petersburg, FL