Carol Beato Smith is a ceramic artist located in Allegany County, New York

I create portraits, figures, animal sculpture, uniquely carved pottery, and tiles from earthenware and stoneware clay. I’ve exhibited my ceramic art nationally and have received several awards and praise for my work. A vast range of influences inspires my work which includes those found in nature or are man-made. I want my artwork to create emotion but especially to make the observer smile.

My portrait, figure, and animal sculpture are detailed to capture a likeness, feelings or the abstract qualities of a subject. The character, personality and emotions are revealed in each sculpture I create. As the human or animal body moves through its infinite range of motion it is a challenge to create the proper structure. My sculpture is formed to show the anatomic complexity as well as the beauty of the human or animal body.

I treat my pottery as works of art by carving abstract, realistic, and intricate designs in them. I throw, alter and build with clay using a combination of three-dimensional form, texture and glaze to create one-of-a-kind decorative, functional and food-safe pottery.

In my home studio and at the local Creative Art Center (WCAC) I glaze my pottery but most of my sculpture and tiles feature a unique metallic finish.

In the past, I’ve worked for the Federal Government as an analyst and produced engineering drawings. I also created welded metal, wax, wire, and modeling clay sculpture and designed award plaques for the Federal Government and private industry. My wax models of microscopic animals were displayed at the Smithsonian Institute and the Department of Agriculture in Washington DC. I earned a BA degree in Art specializing in sculpture and design from Morehead State University, Morehead, KY.