Kimberly J. Chapman is a distinguished porcelain sculptor whose work masterfully blends refined craftsmanship with profound storytelling. A graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Art with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ceramics, Chapman also developed a strong foundation in communication studies from Cleveland State University and Ashland University. Her unique background allows her to bring both artistic and conceptual depth to her creations.

Chapman’s journey to porcelain sculpture was shaped by over 25 years in corporate and collegiate marketing before she fully embraced her passion for the ceramic arts. She initially established Docent Designs, a jewelry line for The Cleveland Museum of Art, before transitioning exclusively to sculpture. Her evocative works have been featured in solo exhibitions at esteemed institutions such as the Erie Art Museum, the National Museum of Psychology, and the Massillon Museum. She has also participated in numerous juried group exhibitions, earning critical acclaim for her ability to merge historical reflection with contemporary form.

Chapman’s artistic practice is deeply research-driven, focusing on historical and contemporary injustices against women. By transforming porcelain—a material historically reserved for royalty—into powerful narratives of resilience and oppression, she challenges silence and repression through her work. One of her most notable series, Eighty-Six Reasons for Asylum Admission, has been exhibited in museums and galleries, shedding light on the mistreatment of women in mental institutions. This teaching, traveling exhibition has been featured in museums and university galleries, with its next opening at the Baber Room Gallery at Central Michigan University from February 28, 2025 to July 20, 2025. An artist reception will be held on March 19 from 4-7 PM, with two artist-led gallery tours on March 20 at 9:30 AM and 11:30 AM. A brochure for this powerful series is attached below.

Her contributions to the field have been widely recognized in publications such as Ceramics Monthly Magazine, Cleveland Magazine, and CAN Journal. In addition to her studio practice, Chapman actively engages in speaking engagements and advisory roles, sharing her expertise with institutions like Baldwin Wallace University and the National Conference on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA). She has also written articles for Ceramics Monthly Magazine, which provides further insight into her artistic vision and process.

Chapman is also an Advisory Committee member at the Cleveland Institute of Art and a member of the Ohio Advisory Group, an affiliate of the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C.

In celebration of Women’s History Month (March), Chapman will also be posting images and facts related to the female asylums experience on her Instagram account, @kimberlychapmansculptor, as part of her upcoming Eighty-Six Reasons for Asylum Admission exhibition.

We are honored to feature Kimberly J. Chapman and her remarkable work on our site. Her dedication to storytelling through her artwork is both thought-provoking and inspiring, and we sincerely appreciate the opportunity to highlight her contributions to contemporary ceramics.