About Olla Ceramics

Ariana Kier is a ceramicist and soil cataloguist based in the mountains of San Diego, California. Her practice is rooted in cross-disciplinary collaboration and the belief that pigments carry not only geological and ecological histories, but also spiritual teachings about connection, transformation, and ancestry. From her remote studio, she maintains a growing archive of global earth materials- including clays, ochres, salts, ash, marine sediments, and stone pigments- both collected and received via donation.

Kier’s work explores innovative approaches to ceramics by integrating scientific inquiry with traditional and experimental practices. She collaborates with indigenous land stewards, marine scientists, and material engineers to investigate how ceramics can evolve in response to environmental imperatives. Her practice is particularly focused on the ethical sourcing and lifecycle of materials, as well as the cultural and ecological narratives they carry.

She currently leads the Southern California expansion of Golden Earth Studio, a UK-based sustainability initiative that diverts construction waste for second-life use in multiple fields of design. This effort builds new pathways between industry and creative research, offering artists access to reclaimed materials in urban landscapes.

In partnership with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Kier is conducting ongoing research into the thermal exposure of marine sediments, exploring their post-research applications within ceramics and education. In summer 2025, she began the systematic cataloging and microscopic analysis of the significant archive of sand and volcanic ash samples donated to Scripps.

Custom works are available in a highly limited capacity, inquiries can be made through the Contact page.