ALLIE THE ALLIGATOR is on display in the outside window of the Little Gem Artisan Store in Wellsville
By Andrew Harris, pictured is Allie
The work of a celebrated local artist is featured all this month on Main Street Wellsville. The Little Gem, part of the Wellsville Creative Arts Center, right next door to the famous Texas Hot.
The 3 foot long Allie was made out of stoneware clay then glazed. He along with other works of art by Carol Beato Smith are on exhibition until the first week in May.
The Little Gem is usually open Monday thru Saturday from 10am until 4pm but Carol’s featured pieces are on display in the front windows to be appreciated anytime. If you fall in love with one of her works of art, sorry: None of Smith’s artwork on display is for sale.
Carol has been an Artist at the Wellsville Creative Art Center (WCAC) since 2007. She’s created portraits, figures, animal sculpture, uniquely carved pottery and tiles from stoneware and earthenware clay.
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. Visit her website, https://www.cbsarts.com
