BEHIND THE CLAY
meet melodie
Melodie Grace is a Nashville-based ceramic artist and teacher, known for her distinctive aesthetic and mastery of raku pottery. Her work—ranging from softly gilded porcelain to delicate jewelry and hand-formed vessels—is shaped by fire, intuition, and deep care.
a lifelong love of art
Raised in a creative Midwestern family, Melodie has always felt connected to art in its many forms. She knew she was an artist early on—but at age 10, after throwing her first pot on the wheel, she began to see herself as a potter.
In college, she discovered raku—an ancient Japanese pit firing technique that would become her obsession and signature. After moving to Nashville in her mid-20s, she sought out community studio classes just to get her hands back in clay. That spark soon grew into a full-time calling.
from clay to calling
A few short years later, Melodie launched a ten-year journey of full-time studio work. She took her raku on the road, exhibiting across the country, winning awards, and earning invitations to premier art shows—including the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show. Her work also caught the attention of West Elm, who invited her to create their first-ever numbered, limited-edition pottery collection.
Today, Melodie teaches and creates full time from her Nashville home studio. Her work continues to be shown and sold in galleries, boutiques, and shows nationwide. She is deeply grateful to God for every opportunity to share the joy of clay with others
Melodie’s work is grounded in honoring quiet moments—textures or images that stir memory and evoke connection. She comes from a long line of makers and believes beautiful, meaningful objects should hold space in everyday life.
“I want each piece to feel like a small celebration. I want the objects I create—and the ones I keep—to be about connection. To have a story, a soul, and a sense of stillness. That’s what I strive to create.”
philosophy
the process
Melodie works in both traditional and naked raku. She builds her own kilns, mixes glazes, and tends to each piece from start to finish. The raku process is raw, smoky, and full of surprise—no two pieces are ever alike.
“I love the juxtaposition of clean lines and crisp detail with a raw, unpredictable process,” she says. “It’s exciting to do something new with something so ancient.”
Her pieces are serene and expressive, blending refined forms with elemental textures. Every piece holds a story—shaped by hand, transformed by fire.
