Atlanta’s Dorri Buchholtz has long been intrigued by the body, and the stories it tells through posture and gesture.
First, in her former career in sports medicine and sports performance.
And now, as a sculptor.
Artist: Born in New York and lived there nine years before moving to Florida, where she went to middle and high school.
After high school, she headed for the University of Alabama, where she earned a BS degree. At the time, Buchholtz was also in the process of becoming certified in athletic training in the field of sports medicine.
Once she was, Buchholtz landed a job as head athletic trainer at Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, FL, where she worked for five years before starting her own sport medicine and sports performance business.
In 1996, she moved to Atlanta, where she continued to build a successful 25-year career before turning to art full time.
In the beginning: With no formal art education, Buchholtz started taking sculpting classes in 2014 at Atlanta-based Cherrylion Studios, a custom sculpture studio, under instructor and sculptor Martin Dawe, well known for his figurative and representational work.
Her sculpting hobby slowly developed into a business. By the start of the pandemic, Buchholtz had gallery representation and her work was in collections in the United States and abroad.
She decided to close her sports performance business and start sculpting full time.
“I consider this to be my “second act,” said Buchholtz.
Company/studio: Dorri Buchholtz Art, started in 2018, in Atlanta. For years, Buchholtz worked out of her home studio. She recently moved to a private studio in Cherrylion’s new space in Atlanta’s West Midtown area.
Art & materials: Mostly figurative sculpture in water-based clay that is fired and finished or cast in composite, stone, cold cast bronze and foundry bronze.
“My love of sculpture rests in the ability to convey the emotion of a moment in time,” she said.
What’s popular: Figurative ($400 to $10,000) and dog ($400 to $5,000) sculptures. Commissions are more costly.
Other favorites: Custom dog urns ($600 to 800).
Favorite tool: A handmade, six-inch wooden modeling tool, useful for applying clay, reaching corners, and smoothing and creating texture.
Inspirations:
- Fluidity of the human body, particularly the female form, with its grace, strength and vulnerability.
- Empowerment of women.
- Contemporary art.
Fun or special commissions: Dogs, with their unique characteristics and fun personalities. When she is able to deliver those commissions in person, it is really special, said Buchholtz.
Recent awards/honors:
- Honorable mention in sculpture category at Cincinnati Summerfest. 2023.
- “Heavy Heart,” a bronze sculpture won honorable mention in the “Being Human” exhibit at the Atlanta Artists Center. 2022. The piece (pictured at right) portrays the emotion of being weighed down by life’s complexities.
What’s next:
- Atlanta Dogwood Festival, Atlanta. April 12 -14.
- “Bourbon, Barbecue and Best of Breed,” an annual party and fundraiser for the Atlanta Lab Rescue. April 20. Buchholtz is donating a bronze Labrador bust for the silent auction. She also will have a gallery of new Lab sculptures for sale.
- Harding Art Show, Nashville. May 2-4.
Where to buy:
Get social:
- Facebook: dorribuchholtzart
- Instagram: @dorrib.art
