rachel akin

bio

Rachel Akin received her BFA from the Kansas City Art Institute in 1999 and her MFA from Ohio University in 2006. She participated in residencies at Red Star Studios (now Belger Crane Yard Studios) and Craft Alliance in St. Louis. Over the years, she exhibited in numerous galleries and art fairs, including Brookside and Plaza. A recent highlight was exhibiting at the Charlie Cummings Gallery in “Cup: The Intimate Object” in 2020-21. From 2016-20 she taught adult wheel-throwing classes at the Kansas City Clay Guild. Currently, she teaches at Art School in Downtown Lee’s Summit, MO. She resides in Lee’s Summit with her husband and two creative daughters.

artist statement

“As a young child, my mother took me antiquing quite often. At the time, I had no appreciation for admiring and collecting vintage pieces. Eventually, those antique excursions with my mother began to influence my current body of work. Being drawn to Depression, Milk and Flint glass has inspired my functional porcelain vessels . . . the form, surface, texture and color.

I have often thought that if I had not pursued ceramics, then I would probably have been involved in the culinary field. When given the opportunity, I am quick to crimp a pie crust or see how elaborate I can decorate a sugar cookie. Perhaps someday I will be able to pick up a pastry bag and decorate a cake. I enjoy embellishing the surfaces of my work and creating tactile surfaces on objects that invite one to touch and use them.

We all need those moments of calm and the opportunity to slow down with the nature of our busy lives. I hope that the soothing colors combined with the tactile qualities of my work will provide that for people.”