crystian hopper

Georgia-based artist Crystian Hopper uses colored pencils in his photorealistic drawings. Company/studio: Crystian Hopper Art, which started in 2018, is based in Atlanta. The artist has an in-home studio. Artist: Born in Auburn, AL, Hopper grew up in Niceville, FL, where he enjoyed drawing, particularly portraits and superhero sketches, throughout his school years. At the…

jym davis

Ancient folklore, festivals and customs inspire the masks, outfits and sculptures of Georgia artist Jym Davis. Artist: Grew up in Radford, VA. At Carson-Newman University in Tennessee, Davis studied drawing and painting. In 2003, he earned an MFA in video art from the University of North Carolina Greensboro. He later taught part time at UNC Greensboro…

amy rader

Atlanta’s Amy Rader is known for using unconventional materials, such as preserved butterflies and crushed glass, in her large, layered paintings. Artist: The Alabama native was obsessed with creating art throughout high school. Because of her interest and talent, Rader was awarded a full scholarship to the Art Institute of Atlanta. After graduating with the…

jere williams

Some of Jere Williams’ wood sculptures are incredibly detailed. Others are on the minimal side. But they all convey a sense of curiosity. Company/studio: Williams, previously in Richmond, is based in Savannah as of June 2023. The artist, an Atlanta native, hasn’t settled on a studio location. Artist: Williams grew up in Atlanta in a family…

evan blackwell helgeson

Georgia native Evan Blackwell Helgeson creates layered abstract paintings that reflect a love of nature, travel and color. Artist: The Georgia native grew up in Roswell and earned a BFA from the Lamar Dodd School of Art at the University of Georgia. She also holds an MFA from School of the Museum of Fine Arts…

michelle laxalt

Atlanta artist Michelle Laxalt describes her ceramic sculptures and works on paper as intimately-scaled, abstract, biomorphic and purposefully ambiguous. The artist: Born and raised in Reno, NV, Laxalt graduated in 2014 from the University of Nevada, Reno, with a BFA in ceramics. She relocated to Atlanta for grad school, earning an MFA from Georgia State University…

steven l. anderson

Maybe best-known for his detailed tree ring drawings, Atlanta artist Steven L. Anderson works in a variety of media to explore the power and beauty of nature. Over time. And on us. Artist: Grew up in Ann Arbor, MI, and graduated from University of Michigan and The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where…

morgan lugo

Memories, fleeting and fragmented, play a key role in the abstract sculptural works of Georgia metal artist Morgan Lugo. Artist: Born in Marietta, GA, Lugo earned a BFA with a concentration in sculpture from Georgia State University (GSU). It was at GSU, where she was introduced to metal casting and mold making. She also learned…

sarita westrup

Texas native Sarita Westurp is a contemporary basket weaver whose sculptural works are inspired by where she was born and grew up. Artist: Westrup grew up in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas and earned an MFA in fibers at the University of North Texas. Over the years, she has taken classes and served as studio assistant at several…

tokie rome-taylor

In her portrait work, Georgia photographer Tokie Rome-Taylor focuses on African American children, staged in regal dress and refined settings, to explore layered themes of culture, identity and history. Artist: The Atlanta native received a BA in art education from Morris Brown College in Atlanta. She also earned EdS and MAEd degrees from Lesley University…