Kirstin Dow

I am a ceramic artist based in Columbia, South Carolina. My work emphasizes texture and glaze.

Artist Statement

My work in ceramics focuses on functional items. For me, these pieces are more than a vase, bowl or mug. Handcrafted work is a reminder of the history of objects and the diversity and creative potential in the world.

As the country approaches its 250th anniversary under the current administration, the need for reflection on our history and future is urgent. I use ceramic form, color, and texture to call out the precarious state of our democracy and prompt reflection on preservation and repair.


Presented by the Jasper Project, The Degenerate Art Project II is the answer to an overwhelming request by artists and patrons of Jasper's inaugural Degenerate Art Project (July 2025) for an additional exhibition which will involve an open call for visual artists. This 3 week-long multidisciplinary arts event (Feb. 11–28 at Stormwater Studios) invites Midlands artists to respond to today's socio-political climate, and unite our local arts community—physically and in spirit—in support and solidarity during challenging times. Inspired by—and reclaiming—the legacy of the Nazi-labeled "Degenerate Art" of 1937, this project champions creative resistance and free expression through a visual art exhibition, featuring over 40 Midlands artists.