Florida ceramicist Laura Irmis shapes balanced, textile-inspired forms that weave personal lineage into contemporary design.
Preferred Mediums
- Ceramics & pottery
- Acrylic painting
- Oil painting
- Mixed media
- Watercolor
Biography
Born among the mountains of West Virginia and raised by her grandmother in St. Petersburg, Florida, Laura Irmis discovered clay early and never let go. While earning a B.A. in visual arts at Eckerd College she logged countless studio hours, completed an artist-in-residence term at Craftsman House Gallery, and apprenticed under master potter Charlie Parker—experiences that grounded her in rigorous craftsmanship and community-minded practice. LauraIrmisCeramicsSt. Pete Arts Alliance
After nearly a decade teaching K-12 art and completing her M.A. in Art Education, Irmis pivoted to full-time studio work. The classroom sharpened her ability to translate complex ideas into clear visual language; her graduate research deepened an inquiry into how tactile objects can carry memory and comfort. LauraIrmisCeramics
Today she throws, cuts, and alters porcelain and stoneware, pressing lace, doilies, and sweater textures into the surface before layering slips, underglaze line work, and decals. Motifs of ladders and energetic lines echo the push-and-pull between presence and absence. Each vessel or sculptural form is worked “until a perfect balance is achieved,” embodying her central theme of lineage—threads that link generations through hand and material. LauraIrmisCeramics
Irmis’s narrative extends beyond the wheel. She has curated community exhibitions like the Trust Birth Art Show, served as a guest artist at Creative Clay, and shares studio space at Charlie Parker Pottery, fostering dialogue with emerging makers. Media features in CanvasRebel and VoyageTampa highlight her role in the vibrant St. Petersburg scene—a synergy that aligns with Art Box Gallery & Studios’ mission to amplify diverse, process-driven voices. St. Pete Arts AllianceCanvas Rebelvoyagetampa.com
Exhibitions & Achievements
Artist Statement
“My latest works explore the intricate balance of design and space. I throw, alter, and build—layering slip and underglaze line work in a meditative process—until harmony emerges.” LauraIrmisCeramics
