Page 31 - South Mississippi Living - September, 2024

her boyfriend, Phillip Loving, spend time at the barrier islands and sampling the coastal cuisine. “We are both big foodies and we love trying out new restaurants,” she said.
Kelly Devine learned pottery skills from her uncle, Steve Hawthorne.
“Every time we’d go to his house, we would throw something. We’d also glaze what we had made the time before and we’d get to take something finished home. I always really enjoyed that time with him.”
– Kelly Devine
SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living | www.smliving.net September 2024 | 31
Don’t be surprised when Kelly Devine’s pottery begins popping up all along the Gulf Coast.
The pottery artisan was recently awarded a grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission to help launch Devine Perks Pottery, which opened July 1. She has social media pages dedicated to her craft on both Instagram and Facebook.
“As someone who started as a hobbyist pottery, it’s moments
like this that justify the time and money spent investing into
my craft and launching my small business,” Devine said. “With this grant, I will be able to purchase a huge selection of supplies as well as cover educational fees and it is perfectly timed with the launch of my brand. You miss every chance you never take, and I sure didn’t miss out on this chance.”
Devine grew up in Hillsboro, Ohio, and learned pottery skills from her uncle, Steve Hawthorne. He was an electrician by profession and a potter when spare time allowed. Devine spent countless hours in his studio mastering throwing and hand- building clay as well as glazing techniques.
“Every time we’d go to his house, we would throw something. We’d also glaze what we had made the time before and we’d get to take something finished home. I always really enjoyed that time with him,” she said.
That love of pottery was at the forefront when she attended Heidelberg University in Tiffin, Ohio where she signed up for several art electives, especially ceramic courses. Her uncle was constantly checking in with her
while she was attending college until his death in 2015. Since artists are kindred spirits, he left the
contents of his studio to Devine when he died. “He was my inspiration,” she said.
As a college freshman, Devine connected with a philanthropic-minded fraternity and instead of spending a traditional spring break having a good time with friends, she
chose a two-week service trip to Back Bay Mission in Biloxi.
“I just had an amazing time,” she said. “Every year, throughout
college, I came down with the same mission trip. I even led the mission trip myself when I was in grad school. It’s still one of the most humbling experiences I’ve ever had.”
She fell in love with the Coast and after graduating with a master’s degree in business, she started an internship with Back Bay Mission. For a year, she learned different business aspects including social media and website management as well as worked with mission trip volunteers.
“When that was wrapping up, I thought, if I find a job down here,
I’ll stay,” she said. And that’s exactly what she did in 2019. She found
a job, bought a house complete with a room for her pottery studio, and jumped on board coastal life. She made numerous friends and networking connections and quickly partnered with the Gulfport Art
Center, finding the perfect place to fire and showcase her pottery.
“I have just been making gifts for friends and stuff that I like for myself but now it’s grown,” she said. “All of my pottery is
nature-inspired and I’m so grateful it’s taken off.”
She’s now the Outreach and Events Manager with Singing River Health System but always carves out time for her pottery
passion. When she’s not wheel-throwing cups, plates, soap dishes, and bowls or hand-building leaves and seashells, Devine and