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Photo of Ben and Isaac by Karla Branen

"It is my belief that art is a healer. None of us is uninjured. These injuries are primarily a perceived, or actual, lack of love. It is my hope, in every piece of art that I create that it may send a subtle, if not dynamic, message of love through its beauty."

"The majority of my work is site specific. I take into consideration the personality o the people using the space, how and when the space is used, and the surrounding architecture to create one-of-a-kind building adornments. My favorite part of the design process is thinking of the people for whom I'm designing. What do they like? What other works of art do they have? Sometimes the public appearance of a person is not like their home persona and I want them to have a work that gives them comfort." Ben Gilliam

Ben Gilliam discovered only a few years ago that he would lose his sight due to Retinitis Pigmentosa , an inherited eye disease. Having put off his pursuit of art, waiting for enough time and money, Ben found himself quickly running out of time, thus the birth of Ceramitecture Studio and his endeavors as a clay carpenter.

Ben's fearless approach to ceramics, results in works on a scale not commonly seen. He has developed his own clay and glaze formulas to make his clay strong and beautiful. His fireplaces, sinks, door trims, and tilings are all unique works for the space.

                       

Master craftsman, Ben Gilliam, has 22 years experience building and creating.  His skill at remodeling historical homes led him to search for products that would meet his demanding criteria.  He started a company, THE Tile Installers to provide consumers with the highest quality tile work.  When he could not find ceramic tile that would comply to the curving nature of his hand made counter tops, he decided he could make what he couldn't find produced.  Ben has a history of creating what he can not find readily available to him.  This characteristic allows Ben to offer anything that a client can imagine, limited only by the physics of clay.

Ben sculpted in Manhattan during the early 80's working  in stone, iron, and clay mediums but was not satisfied with his work, although he did have success using his creativity remodeling historic homes.  His love of building and creating art are melded perfectly in  architectural ceramics.  

For design, Ben works with architects, builders, interior designers, or home owners.  Each piece is one of a kind.

Leah Coe Gilliam, Ben's wife,  worked for many years as an environmental chemist.  She brings a scientific approach to the glaze process, complementing Ben's creativity.  Together they offer custom sized, shaped, and colored ceramic pieces.