My name is Kate Chute and I’m the creator and workforce behind Clean Bottom Pottery.

I was born and raised in Prague, Czech Republic. My mom and grandma set me up for life of not being able to sit still and a constant need of making.

In 2021 I took few private ceramic classes which led to signing up for ceramics at local community college.

The right timing and conditions led to starting my own ceramic studio CLEAN BOTTOM in 2023. “To clean the bottom” is often stressed to beginner students to prevent glazed vessel from sticking to kiln shelf … and a joke that can’t be lost on any mother (especially not mother of 4)

My inspiration comes from 3 main sources:

• My children (their interests, world views and simple drawings)

• Everyday life

• And as of early 2024 (with looming possibility of second Trump presidency) US and World politics.

I work in mid and high fire clay. I prefer monochromatic color spectrum and earthy tones as a contrast to often infantile shapes and creatures. I love to carve my pieces, using oxides and leaving the outside surface unglazed.

In May 2024 my two carved pieces: “Miro’s garden” and “Bear on the end of the tunnel” were part of the Moorpark college art exhibition.

In 2025 I became a member of VCPG (Ventura County Potter's Guilt) and participated in their biggest show - 2025 Ojai pottery market.

As the current political events and need to address it become more dominant in my work I have started project “Ceramics and Politics” with hopes that other artists might experience the same urge to express their worries and/or hopes and might need a space to do so.