Vicki Essig is known for her detailed and Zen-like handwoven mixed-media art. But in a recent, atypical work, the North Carolina artist used her own home-grown silkworms to make a dress, which sold to a collector. The artist: Born in Denver, the artist grew up in Colorado. She lived in Europe for four years before…
In North Carolina, Christine Kosiba creates expressive and textured wildlife sculptures that show a curiosity about how we connect with the natural world around us. The artist: Born at Fort Rucker, AL, Kosiba grew up in many places since her father was an Army officer. She earned a master’s degree in special education at University of…
On walks, Cheryl Mackey Smith takes time to notice the seemingly endless patterns and random occurrences in nature. The North Carolina ceramics artist then transforms them into elegantly textured wall art. The artist: Born in Schenectady, Smith grew up in Scotia, NY, with parents who encouraged her interest in art. At age 17, she moved with…
For the past 35 years North Carolina sculptor and painter Mary-Ann Prack has captured the essence of what it is to be human in her figurative clay works. On the surface her sculptures are colorful, sensuous and precise. She believes experiencing them reveals the spirit, energy and joy in which they were created. The artist:…
In her porcelain and gold leaf vessels, Florida native Deneece Harrell draws on the Japanese art of kintsugi. The artist: Born and raised in Lakeland, FL, Harrell earned a design degree from the School of Architecture at the University of Florida. Over her 35-year career, she has worked in corporate and residential interior design and taught…
Adam Whitney has experience in many metalsmithing techniques, but the North Carolina artist is partial to raising: the craft of making hollow, three-dimensional forms from hammered sheets of metal. The artist: Whitney was born and raised in Rutland, VT. He earned his BFA in crafts/materials studies, with a focus on metalsmithing, from Virginia Commonwealth University.…
Balancing elements, both classic and modern, North Carolina’s Jane Jaskevich carves out a quiet elegance in her figurative sculptures. The artist: Born in Greenville, SC, she was the kid in grammar school who got voted to do the art on the bulletin boards. After that early art start, Jaskevich went on to earn a BFA from…
In Asheville, dancer turned jewelry designer Laura Wood thoughtfully engineers her sculptural work to fit and flatter the body. The artist: Born in Milledgeville, GA, Wood earned a BFA in jewelry at the University of Georgia and later an MFA in metal design from East Carolina University (ECU). She has lived and worked as a…
North Carolina designer and sculptor Ellie Richards explores the intersection of work and play in her eclectic creations. The artist: Born in Greenbelt, MD, Richards grew up outside of Erie, PA in the small lakeside town of Girard. She received a BFA from University of Dayton (Ohio) in studio art and art education and an…
North Carolina’s Angelique Tassistro makes festive dishes with fresh colors and designs that make everyday meals feel like a celebration. The artist: Tassistro grew up in Baton Rouge, LA, and received two BFA’s from Louisiana State University: One in photography, the other in ceramics. She moved to Asheville in 2003 to pursue ceramics. The company/studio:…