Austin Neal Center was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee in 1973. He has always been interested in art from his early childhood ceramics in Mrs. Philips art class or wood working class with Mr. Lowe, to his most recent paintings and sculpture. Throughout his development, he has studied from several different artist and craftsman such as George Gabb, woodcarver from Belize, and Sinclair Ashley ceramicist. These artists were major influences in leading him to study painting and art history in Florence, Italy under the tutelage of artist Jules Maidoff. Austin also studied ceramics while in Italy and created many pieces including a series of raku firings in Tuscany, as well as working with Terri-Cotta, Majolica and glazing techniques. Since graduating from the College of Charleston, Austin has lived in New York City for six years teaching Painting, Ceramics, Drawing, and Sculpture at the Children’s Museum of the Arts, as well as having a studio in Soho where he created works that have been exhibited in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, South Carolina, Tennessee, and in many private collections. Austin now resides in Chattanooga, Tennessee where he continues to develop his artistic talents.