North Carolina’s Tonya Thornton says there is always a fantastical nature to her puzzle-like collages and playful sculptures. Artist: Born in Niagara Falls, NY, her family moved to South Florida when she was five. After high school, she headed to Florida State University (FSU), where she graduated with a BFA in 1998. She left Florida…
From small works on nubby paper to ladder sculptures made with organic materials, Virginia’s Holland Williams draws on her quiet fascination with patterns and colors found in nature. Artist: Born in Charlottesville, VA, Williams spent her early years in Brussels and England before returning to Virginia. Her family preferred living in old homes, including a restored log…
Florida ceramist Debra Steidel makes elegant, multi-piece wall installations, inspired by organic shapes, textures and colors of the natural world. Artist: Grew up in Alexandria, VA, near her uncles, Al and Billy Steidel, major art and antique collectors. When she visited, they would show her their collections of antique bottes and crocks. Her Uncle Al…
Adrina Richard has been a longtime collector of pottery. She still is. But now the Atlanta ceramic artist hand builds her own, incorporating textures that reflect her Armenian heritage. Artist: Born in New York to parents who were immigrants and survivors of the Armenian genocide in Turkey. As a first-generation American, Richard grew up in…
In her multi-media art and installations, Elyse Defoor explores a variety of contemporary themes. In one popular series, the Atlanta artist uses women’s swimsuits as a symbol for our culture’s obsession with outward appearances. In another, Defoor photographs knives and bullet shells to reflect our fascination with objects that can both protect and destroy. No…
Over her 30-plus years as a mixed media artist in Virginia, Frankie Slaughter has challenged herself to create art in various mediums. From intensely colorful paintings and porcelain panels to oversized sculptures and hand-sewn textiles. Artist: Born in Lynchburg, VA, Slaughter grew up with artistic parents. Her mom practiced modern dance and later taught art…
Santi Saucedo, an Atlanta ceramic artist, creates contemporary spiritual figurines that draw inspiration from diverse cultural influences. Artist: Born in Mexico City, Saucedo moved to and around the United States at a young age. He spent most of his youth in northern Virginia, and later, in Pasadena, CA. Growing up in an artistic family influenced Saucedo,…
Georgia artist and naturalist Chris Wilson celebrates the beauty of birds and other wildlife in his lifelike sculptures. Artist: Born in Cincinnati, OH, Wilson spent his early childhood there before moving to Marietta, GA, when he was 14 years old. He dedicated himself to his art and graduated from Walton High School. In 1994, he earned…
For Michael Anderson, wood is the ideal medium for his bowls and sculptural work. As a sustainable and renewable resource, wood compels the Tennessee artist to approach its use with respect and thoughtful design. Artist: Born on Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, Anderson moved frequently since his father was in the Air Force.…
Lisa Schnellinger, a former journalist turned artist, specializes in kilnformed glass. The Atlanta glass designer finds it is the right material for her — and her sculptures and hanging panels. Artist: Born and raised in northeast Ohio, Schnellinger earned a bachelor’s in journalism from Kent State University. After college, she worked as a newspaper reporter…