About Us
Brookhaven, Georgia’s creative home for clay artists.
The Smith & Plaster Building located at 4246 Peachtree Rd was built in the 1950s by Mark Smith and his business partner, Dan Plaster.
The Smith & Plaster Building has been a cornerstone of entrepreneurial energy for decades — long before the City of Brookhaven was established. In its early years, it served as the Southeast regional headquarters for Martinizing Dry Cleaning franchises, playing an instrumental role in the company’s growth during a period of rapid expansion and innovation. It was also home to several Smith family businesses, further cementing its identity as a place where craftsmanship and enterprise converged.
As Brookhaven grew and the decades passed, the building continued to foster new opportunities—housing professional offices for lawyers, architects, insurance agencies, and other small businesses. Each chapter added to its legacy as a hub where ideas took shape and businesses found room to grow.
When it came time to name our studio, we leaned into that rich history. The Smith pays homage to the Smith Family and the enduring spirit of entrepreneurship that has always lived within these walls. Today, we carry that tradition forward—creating not just a ceramics studio, but a thriving community where makers come together to share ideas, grow their skills, and build something lasting through clay.
The Smith Ceramics Studio & Gallery is more than just a place to work with clay—it's your creative home. Founded by ceramic artist Eric Howe, The Smith was born from a love of ceramics and a desire to build community. After more than a decade of teaching ceramics, Eric saw the need for a space where artists of all levels could come together—on their own time—to create, connect, and grow.
Whether you're just getting your hands dirty for the first time or you're a seasoned ceramic artist refining your technique, The Smith is designed for you. We offer tiered membership options, along with inspiring weekly classes and quarterly workshops.
At the heart of The Smith is a belief in community, creativity, craftsmanship, and friendship. Artists support and encourage each other while at the studio, creating a collaborative environment that feels more like a shared home than a traditional studio.
We believe in providing state of the art equipment and tools to help our students and members produce high quality work. We understand that many artist have products they prefer to use, so welcome members to use outside clay bodies and glazes, with Eric’s permission.
Come create with us.