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The Grit Shop, LLC

The Grit Shop, LLC is an artistic fabrication studio that specializes in making adventurous ideas of any scale a reality.


Motivated to design, fabricate and install creative projects that extend beyond traditional art, Brian Somerville and Molly Somerville founded The Grit Shop in 2018. Although a young company, The Grit Shop is built on over 15 years of experience in themed construction and commissioned sculpture.


Anything can be created with knowledge, skill and GRIT.

Brian Somerville

Brian Somerville (AKA Claybeast) earned his BFA from the University of Evansville in Indiana and his MFA from Florida Atlantic University. 


Before co-founding THE GRIT SHOP, Brian worked on creative projects at Chicago’s Shed Aquarium, the Indianapolis Children’s Museum, Cheekwood Botanical Gardens, Great Wolf Lodge, Six Flags, The Grand Ole Opry, Blake Shelton’s Old Red Bar, Maker’s Mark, Patron, Lexus and zoos in Columbus, Cincinnati, Louisville, Birmingham and Miami. 


In addition to adventures at THE GRIT SHOP, Brian also continues a consistent exhibition schedule of his sculptural beasts. 

See more Claybeast Artwork

PRESS / MEDIA

Launch Engine

Ceramics Monthly Article

Ceramics Monthly Article

Brian Somerville Shares the Art of Fabrication

Posted by: Sheri Oneal

September 30, 2020

Ceramics Monthly Article

Ceramics Monthly Article

Ceramics Monthly Article

 "The Nitty Gritty of The Grit Shop, LLC," Ceramics Monthly, February 2020, pgs. 36-39. 

Donelson Gateway Project

Ceramics Monthly Article

Jeffersonville, Indiana Sculpture

 "New Donelson Art Project, Talk of the Town, News Channel 5 Nashville, May 21, 2020. 

Jeffersonville, Indiana Sculpture

Jeffersonville, Indiana Sculpture

Jeffersonville, Indiana Sculpture

Boyle, John, (Aug. 29, 2019) NoCo Arts and Cultural District gets new Installation. News and Tribune.

TANK 615 - TANK CHICKEN

Jeffersonville, Indiana Sculpture

TANK 615 - TANK CHICKEN

TANK 615 Collective's interactive

TANK CHICKEN at The Arts Company Gallery

BGA workshop at OZ

Jeffersonville, Indiana Sculpture

TANK 615 - TANK CHICKEN

Battle Ground Academy youth workshop at 

OZ Arts Nashville

Cory Basil's Fishboy

Cory Basil's Fishboy

Cory Basil's Fishboy

"Creating Fishboy #1"

Collaboration with artist, Cory Basil.

Cory Basil's Fishboy

Cory Basil's Fishboy

Cory Basil's Fishboy

"Creating Fishboy #2" 

Collaboration with artist, Cory Basil.

Cory Basil's Fishboy

Cory Basil's Fishboy

Vanderbilt Exhibition

"Creating Fishboy #3"

Collaboration with artist, Cory Basil

Vanderbilt Exhibition

Conversations at OZ ARTS Nashville

Vanderbilt Exhibition

Character Study

Art Exhibit at Vanderbilt University

October 2019

Conversations at OZ ARTS Nashville

Conversations at OZ ARTS Nashville

Conversations at OZ ARTS Nashville

Conversations  Fundraiser at OZ Arts

Collaboration with Brandon Donahue on over 100 custom works.

circus Living

Conversations at OZ ARTS Nashville

Conversations at OZ ARTS Nashville

Interview with Circus Living

Copyright © 2018 The Grit Shop   

All Rights Reserved.

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