Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1532159
February/March 2025 | maconmagazine.com 107 See it! Macon Arts Gallery (486 1st St.), February 2025. For more information, visit maconartsalliance.org to move toward a space of inner peace, a place where I seek to no longer feel the need to seek permission to exist as I am. Creating these sculptures is a grounding process for me, both physically and emotionally. The connection to the earth in the clay I shape, and the traditional firing process—stoking a wood kiln for 12 hours—cements that relationship. There's something magical about standing by the fire, watching its transformative power, and revealing the finished piece as a confirmation of resilience and growth. For me, this series brings together the many facets of myself—the strong, the vulnerable, the joyful, the broken—and celebrates the strength found in those layers. It's a reminder that even from fragments, we can create something whole and beautiful. Where do you see your career moving? I was introduced to wood firing early in my ceramics journey, and though I fell in love with its unpredictable beauty, it's a challenging method to sustain as a solo artist. For many years, I explored other firing techniques, but everything shifted when I built my own wood kiln two and a half years ago. This rekindled my passion for the process and led to a natural evolution toward more sculptural work. It feels like I've finally found my voice – embracing experimentation, welcoming failure, and creating pieces that feel deeply personal and vulnerable. I'm more connected to the meaning behind my work than ever before, and I'm excited to continue exploring wood firing while incorporating other mediums to enhance the narrative of my pieces. Looking ahead, I'm eager to expand my exposure, connect with new galleries, and share my work through more exhibitions. It's an exciting time, and I'm looking forward to seeing where this path leads. What can we expect out of your show at Macon Arts Alliance? Gosh, I hope viewers walk away with a sense of joy and moments of reflection. My work is about telling stories – some bold, some quiet – and inviting people to see themselves or their own experiences in the pieces. Whether it's a smile, a spark of curiosity, or a moment that makes you stop and think, I hope the show feels like an unexpected conversation with the art, and maybe even with yourself. One of Keeling's works in the upcoming show at Macon Arts Alliance. Photo courtesy of Wendy Kusmaul Keeling. with fragments—pieces of clay that are shaped, joined, and transformed into a cohesive form. These "broken" parts of me come together to tell a story, capturing a moment or emotion that feels deeply personal yet universal. As I've worked through this series, I hope to come to terms with loss, trauma, inadequacy, and the endless pursuit of external validation— whether for appearance, career, or simply my state of being. This body of work has allowed me