Potter throws Main Street a glimpse of his work

By Caroline Riser

It's Thursday night on Main Street, and deep in the basement of the Tapp's Building, Kyle Smith is throwing pottery and displaying pieces he created in his home studio.

A Columbia resident and middle school teacher in Richland District One, Smith recently opened his own pottery business, Kyle Smith Pottery, to make money from a craft he has loved since high school.

"I knew I could tap into this, and I decided I wanted to make a career out of it," Smith said.

Smith's hobby originated during his senior year of high school in Lancaster, Pa., when his art teacher encouraged him to put more time into his creations.

"I picked up the wheel a lot quicker than most students, so my teacher wanted me to work at it more," said Smith.

Smith attributes his skill at pottery to his love of math.

"To me, the wheel is all about symmetry, and I was always more of a math guy," he said.

After high school, Smith received a degree in art education from Kutztown University in Kutztown, Pa. Upon graduation, he moved down South to take the position as art teacher at a Richland One high school and began coaching football.

With a few years as a teacher under his belt, Smith opened his business in 2008 and has been pleased with the results.

"The business has certainly taken off a little bit, but it's not exactly where I want it to be," he said.

Smith is currently building the ceramic program at his school, trying to find students like him who have a knack for art.

"With the knowledge of working the wheels that I have, I'm hoping to really get their program going."

Smith said he wakes up around 5:30 a few days a week to work on his pieces.

"I'll throw about 10 pieces," he said. "Then I'll take them off and throw about 10 more. It takes me about six weeks to get enough to build a collection."

Starting with a 25-pound block of clay, Smith measures out material based on what he plans to make.

"If I'm making a bowl, I'll measure out about 2 pounds, and one-and-a-half pounds for a smaller bowl," he said.

According to Smith, his busiest production months are those before the holiday seasons. During November and December, he hosts holiday shows at local festivals, the farmers market on Whaley Street and at his home studio. RCT