Smokeware Ceramicist Takes Home Coveted Chamber’s New Arts Award

A much-needed breath of fresh air for the once-waylaid artist

By: Nikki Overfelt Chifalu – June 14, 2024

Riley Brain, a perfect blend of artist and entrepreneur

Riley Brain hits the perfect note of balance as an artist and entrepreneur, she dazzled as she accepted her award for being the KC Chamber’s first winner of the Luminary Art and Creative Small Business Award on Thursday.

“I’ve often been criticized for not fitting neatly into a typical mold,” Brain confessed, owner of Wandering Bud, at the recent Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Celebration Awards Luncheon at the Crown Center Westin. “This award, therefore, feels incredibly apt and embodies what I do — craftily weaving art with commerce. The recognition feels both justifiably earned and invigorating.”

Wandering Bud, Aesthetically Pleasing Smokeware

Wandering Bud was founded in 2016 under Brain’s vision and guidance. Tired of hiding her smokeware whenever her parents would visit, she envisioned a ceramic design and production studio that could seamlessly slide its beautiful, handmade smokeware into common households. This vision is now a delightful reality.

The new Luminary Art and Creative Small Business Award presented by the Chamber is specifically designed for businesses created and run by artists. These businesses create original products while the artists maintain sole ownership of their intellectual property.

“The Luminary Arts and Creative Small Business Award was conceived to appreciate and highlight the entrepreneurial spirit kindling in our regional arts and cultural sector,” stated Dana Knapp, the president, and CEO of ArtsKC, the presenter of the award during Thursday’s luncheon. “The KC Chamber sought guidance from ArtsKC and several other artists and arts organizations across the community to comprehend how the Chamber’s engagement could best aid for-profit arts and creative businesses in our region, which encapsulates just one aspect of our diverse and blossoming regional arts sector.”

Racing Past Challenges

Brain confessed about applying for small business awards in the past and being deterred by non-relevant questions about revenue and growth numbers. “This award is incredibly attuned to the arts community,” she said thankfully. “The focus on arts in this initiative feels incredibly satisfying and respectful.”

Fresh from her maternity leave, Brain revealed that Wandering Bud, which operates out of a studio on Troost Avenue and employs a team of artists, is currently undergoing numerous product redesigns in addition to new glaze testings.

“We are overhauling our studio series color portfolio,” she shared excitingly, “and we should be ready to launch all these by this fall/winter. Both our one-hitter and our ashtray are getting refreshed. We are very, very thrilled about these upcoming releases.”