"Spirit" Sculpture

Mary Kinzel Means is an award-winning, nationally collected ceramic sculptor from Roswell, Ga. Growing up in Roanoke, Virginia, she was fascinated by her grandfather's paintings and spent hours watching him create in his studio. This experience left a lasting impression, influencing her decision to pursue a career in art. After earning a BA in Art History and Psychology from the University of Tennessee, she was drawn to Atlanta's bustling art scene, where she opened “Taylor Kinzel Gallery.” After two decades, she closed the gallery to focus on her artwork full-time. Mary’s primary focus is figurative sculpture in mixed-media ceramics. Through her work, she aspires to create a bridge from the grounded nature of clay to the more spiritual/imaginative realm. Sometimes whimsical, sometimes serious, but always evoking a sense of calm. “Peaceful’ is the word most often used to describe Mary’s sculpture. “I aspire to capture lightness and fully embrace the spiritual feel of my work. It may sound strange to some, but I can feel the energy come through the clay, almost like I’m capturing an image of a visitor from above. I feel only lightness when I work; stress and negativity seem to magically disappear the minute my hands get in the clay. I'm hopeful the gift of peace translates through my creations”. Mary's work can be found in galleries and private collections across the country. Select recent juried exhibits include "Little Things Invitational" at The Swan Coach House Gallery Atlanta Ga, "70th Anniversary Members Show" at Quinlan Arts Center Gainesville Ga , "Artists from the South" at Reeves House Visual Arts Center Woodstock Ga, and "Metro Montage" at The Marietta Cobb Museum of Art