Made by Hand, Shaped by Community: A Conversation with Kent Child

Send us Fan MailWhat makes someone a maker?For ceramic artist and educator Kent Child, the answer goes back to childhood—watching his grandfather and father work with their hands, discovering clay in the Southwest, and eventually finding his way into Japanese folk pottery, wood firing, and ceramics.In this episode of Made to Make, Kent joins Shannon Grissom to explore the people, places, materials, and traditions that shaped his creative life. He shares how teachers, mentors, students, and friendships, including renowned potter Conrad Calimpong influenced his approach to ceramics, including the profound impact of Shoji Hamada, Dr. Herbert Sanders, and Japanese folk pottery.Kent also recalls building his first wood-fired kiln in Los Gatos and the decades-long friendships and annual firings that grew from that experience. For him, wood firing isn't simply about producing beautiful pots—it's about teamwork, storytelling, shared labor, and the community that forms around the fire.The conversation goes beyond ceramics into a larger question: What is art really for? For Kent, art is fundamentally an act of communication and human connection.They also reflect on what technology and smartphones have changed about the way we pay attention, talk to one another, and experience the world.It's a conversation about clay, fire, tradition, friendship, teaching, and the enduring human need to make something with our hands—and share it with others.And now a word from our sponsor, today that would be me! If you're creating, growing, or figuring things out, encouragement matters. The Sock Monkey Oracle is something special—it's like having a creative friend you can turn to when you need reassurance, clarity, or a gentle reminder that you're doing better than you think. You can find it on Amazon, and it's there for those moments when you need support without judgment. That's the Sock Monkey Oracle on Amazon. NSupport the showPlease like, subscribe and share! For more information and to connect with us visit PainterlyLife.com