Kate Arford is a ceramic artist born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. Kate started working with clay in 2016, and received her BFA from Arizona State University in 2025.
Kate draws inspiration from poems and children’s toys where she develops a whimsical and introspective world to provide commentary on escapism and dreaming.
Alongside her studio practice, she serves as a Program and Teaching Artist for various Ceramic Facilities; such as, Ceramic Research Center, Pip Coffee & Clay and Edna Vihel Arts Center.
Artist Statement
Dreaming was a primary form of play for me as a child, an escape into a world where I could show up and engage without the burdens of anxiety. My dream world wasn’t one filled with fairies and dragons; instead, it was a space for freedom and possibilities. In my work, I create abstract objects that are reminiscent of toys and otherworldly forms, embodying a journey of nostalgia, loss, and whimsical exploration.
These pieces serve to invite a dialogue between fantasy and reality, to exist in the nuance. Through this commentary, I reflect on the complexity of life’s experiences. My creative process empowers me to indulge in new worlds, allowing my dreams to exist for tangible moments outside my mind. I invite you to step into this imaginative space, to reflect on your own experiences, and to embrace the fleeting nature of these moments.
CV
Kate Arford
info@kate-arford.com
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EDUCATION
2025
Bachelor of Fine Arts (Ceramics), Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
Certificate of Entrepreneurship & Innovation in Design and the Arts
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2025
Program Artist, Creative Aging & Community Workshops, ASU Art
Museum- Ceramic Research Center, Tempe, AZ, September- current
Ceramics Teaching Artist, Edna Vihel Arts Center, Tempe, AZ, January- current
Ceramics Teaching Artist, Pip Coffee & Clay, Phoenix, AZ, May (23’)- current
Curatorial Assistant, Form Space Vision, Scottsdale, AZ, August (24’)- July (25’)
2024
Public Art Intern, Scottsdale Arts, Scottsdale, Arizona, May-August
2022
Handbuilding Teaching Artist, Kittles Fine Arts Supplies, Show Low, May-July