Mary Kinzel Means

Mary Kinzel Means is an award-winning, nationally collected ceramic sculptor based in Roswell, Georgia. Growing up in Roanoke, Virginia, she was captivated by her grandfather’s paintings and spent countless hours watching him work in his studio. Those early experiences left a lasting impression and sparked a lifelong passion for art.

After earning a BA in Art History and Psychology from the University of Tennessee, Mary moved to Atlanta, drawn to its lively art environment. There, she founded Taylor Kinzel Gallery, which she operated for over two decades. In 2020, she closed the gallery to devote herself fully to her own artistic practice.

Mary’s primary focus is figurative sculpture in mixed-media ceramics. Through her work, she seeks to create a bridge between the grounded, tactile nature of clay and a more imaginative realm. “Peaceful” is the word most often used to describe her work. “I strive to capture a sense of lightness and fully embrace the spiritual quality that emerges through my work. It may sound unusual to some, but I can feel an energy moving through the clay, almost as though I am capturing the presence of a visitor from above. When I work, I feel only lightness; stress and negativity seem to disappear the momen...

BA Art History/Psychology University of Tennessee 1986

Current gallery representation:
Muse & Co. Fine Art Marietta, GA
Bennett Galleries Nashville TN
Carlton Gallery, Banner Elk NC
High Country Art Blue Ridge GA
The Little Gallery Roanoke VA