Kentucky native Emily Ridings says her fashion training helped refine her eye for silhouette, proportion and storytelling: Qualities that now define her basketry. Artist: The Kentucky native grew up in Richmond in a creative family. Judy Ridings, her grandmother, is a master basket weaver who lived nearby. Ridings’ mother is a talented seamstress. By age…
Georgia’s Mitchell Biggio utilizes digital and traditional techniques with simple materials to produce his visually clean and modular wall sculpture. Artist: Growing up in Marblehead, MA, Biggio was always interested in art and building things. In high school, he wanted to be an architect. Biggio started at the Savannah College of Art and Design as…
Growing up in Colorado, Chad Hayward experienced the feeling of openness and expansive space that today influence the Georgia artist’s wide-ranging and interdisciplinary work. Artist: Born in Summit County, NJ, Hayward moved to Colorado at the age of 7. After high school, he studied fine art at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago,…
Kay Franz found a connection to clay in college. The Virginia artist hopes that, through her work, she can connect with you, too. Artist: Born and raised in Halifax County, VA, in a small rural community called Turbeville. She attended the University of Georgia (UGA), where she earned a BFA in ceramics. Company/studio: Clay & Green Tea,…
Daniel Lai transforms discarded books into narrative wall sculptures that explore various themes – from humor to social issues – in everyday life. Artist: Born and raised in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Lai came to the United States in 2000 to attend college. He earned a BA in linguistics and an MA in art history from…
In her Victorian-inspired jewelry designs, Asheville’s Alice Scott uses symbols from cultures and traditions around the world to create pieces that look ancient, yet modern – and have an extra meaning and story. Artist: Born in Washington, DC, Scott grew up in Charlottesville, VA, often traveling with her artist mom to craft shows. She went to…
Using both figurative and botanical elements, Raleigh artist Holly Fischer explores the dualities inherent in beauty and femininity in her abstracted white clay works. Artist: Born in Missoula, MT, Fischer grew up with artistic parents who helped foster her early creativity. When she was four years old, Fischer’s family moved from Montana to Boone, NC, where…
Georgia metalsmith Theresa St. Romain goes beyond flat, two dimensional designs in her textured and visually rich jewelry. Artist: Born in St. Louis, St. Romain grew up mostly in the Stone Mountain area of Georgia. She has a BS in science, technology, and culture from Georgia Tech and a BS in criminal justice from Georgia State…
After seeing an iconic chair on a museum stop, Nathaniel Newcomb realized that furniture could be sculpture. The Richmond sculptor and woodworker now designs his own unique line of furniture that often features heavy or thick forms – and the occasional chainsaw marks. Artist: Born in Richmond, VA, Newcomb grew up in Texas and Oklahoma. He…
Georgia’s Rachel K. Garceau translates her curiosity about found or mundane objects, such as petals, pebbles and the curved points of a pine cone, into striking porcelain work. Artist: Born in Waterbury, CT, raised in the storied town of Goshen, Garceau lived in small towns throughout New England. After graduating with a BA in Fine…