In North Carolina, Ben Strear sculpts and carves wood sculptures that feature detailed patterns inspired by ancient artifacts and structures. Artist: Colorado native who was born and grew up in Longmont. He graduated with a BFA in furniture design from the Rhode Island School of Design. “The furniture design program was great for me because…
Tennessee sculptor Raymond Padron carves hyper-realistic wood wall reliefs of familiar and often meaningful items from your past. Artist: Born in Maryland, Padron grew up in the North Virginia suburbs of DC. He graduated with a BA in art from Messiah College in Grantham, PA, and moved to Chattanooga, TN. In 2011, Padron received his…
North Carolina ceramic sculptor Karli Pendergraft makes soft organic forms and vessels with abstracted elements from the natural world. Artist: The North Carolina native was born and grew up in Raleigh. In 2018, she received her BFA in studio art from Appalachian State University in Boone. Soon after graduation, she moved to Asheville. Studio: Since…
Virginia native Matt Lively is a sculptor, painter and muralist whose love of movies, invented themes and unconventional materials influence his work. Artist: Born in Richmond, and graduated with a BFA in sculpture from Virginia Commonwealth University. After college, he lived in Louisville and Atlanta before moving back to Richmond. Company/studio: Matt Lively, based in Richmond, VA,…
After starting a career in industrial design, Keavy Murphree migrated back to her first love: ceramics. The Nashville artist now makes decorative and functional clay works that are equal parts minimal and modern. Artist: Born in Chicago and raised north of the city, Murphree moved to Cape Coral, FL, halfway through high school. She headed back…
Using emerging technologies and traditional sculptural practices, Atlanta artist Justin Archer creates his figurative wood sculptures with a pixelated effect. Artist: Originally from Denton, TX, Archer received his MFA in 2016 from the University of North Texas. In addition to creating his work, Archer teaches at SCAD Atlanta. Company/studio: Justin W. Archer has been based…
Influenced by Neolithic stone forms, South Carolina artist Roger Halligan uses a variety of materials to create his freestanding and wall mounted sculptures. Artist: Born in Troy, NY, Halligan grew up in the Hudson River Valley. He received a BA in economics from Le Moyne College in Syracuse, and after graduation began taking art courses…
On his 12-acre property in South Carolina, Kent Ambler finds endless inspiration for his nature-based woodcuts. Artist: Born in northwest Indiana about 25 miles outside of Chicago. As a kid, Ambler moved around a lot (seven times between first and twelfth grade), mostly in northwest Indiana. At Ball State University (IN), he was introduced to printmaking…
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…
Asheville porcelain artist Laura Peery textures and cuts simple shapes to create her one-of-a kind figures, teapots and vessels. Artist: Born and raised in Washington, DC, Peery took her first ceramics course at Ohio Wesleyan University. After graduation, she was an apprentice to a potter for one year before enrolling in the MFA program at…