Carly Graceffa

Bio

My relationship with clay began in 2011, when I took my first ceramics class in high school and instantly fell in love with the medium. From that moment on, I enrolled in as many ceramics courses as possible, which led me to pursue a degree in Visual Art Education with an emphasis in Ceramics at the University of Kansas, where I studied from 2015–2020. After graduation, I taught high school Ceramics and Design at Blue Valley Southwest for four years. During that time, I continued to develop my own body of work and founded Arch & Opal, my ceramics business. Today, I create and teach out of studios in both Kansas City and Miami, Florida, where I continue to share my passion for clay with others while building my practice as an artist and educator.

Artist Statement

At the center of my practice is a fascination with the relationship between object and user. I create with the intention of sparking moments of connection—whether through the ritual of a morning mug, the presence of a vase in a shared space, or a sculptural piece that invites storytelling through its color and form.

My work is guided by the belief that ceramics live beyond the studio; they become part of daily rhythms, memories, and communities. I design with interaction in mind, considering not only how a piece will look, but how it will be held, used, and remembered. Through Arch & Opal, I explore this dialogue between functionality and play, creating objects that are both approachable and enduring, rooted in utility while celebrating beauty and joy.

Exhibitions