keavy murphree

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…

justin archer

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…

roger halligan

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…

sachi rome

Atlanta native Sachi Rome explores a metaphysical world of safe and sacred spaces for Black people in her abstract paintings and mixed-media works. Artist: The Atlanta native received a BA in art education with a concentration in painting from Morris Brown College in Atlanta. She also earned MAEd degree from Lesley University (MA). In addition…

emily brown

Nashville textile artist Emily Brown uses leather to craft her modern, puzzle-like wall art. Artist: Born in Birmingham, AL, but grew up mainly in Chicago, IL.  At age 13, Brown began working with leather textiles and crafted her first leather handbag. In high school, she participated in fashion classes and competitions. Despite an interest in art,…

kent ambler

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…

tara locklear

North Carolina native Tara Locklear designs geometric and playful jewelry using broken and discarded skateboards. Artist: A North Carolina native, Locklear was born and raised in Fayetteville. After high school, she headed to East Carolina University (ECU), but left to go to work. Locklear spent 11 years in the corporate world of event planning and…

jenny henley

Feeling nostalgic for your old Game Boy, JVC-M90 boombox or 1984 Mac computer? Jenny Henley can help. The Atlanta-based mixed-media artist combines photography, painting and imagery from popular American culture to create her unique works. Artist: Henley grew up in Jacksonville, FL, in a family supportive of the arts. At her high school for the…

nadia stieglitz

In South Carolina, self-taught sculptor Nadia Stieglitz says her abstract ceramic forms explore the intersection of art and nature, using themes of femininity, topography, dance and spatial philosophy. Artist: Born in France and raised in the Alps, Stieglitz has degrees in economics, languages and marketing. She lived and worked in Paris, then London for five…

emily rogstad

North Carolina jewelry designer Emily Rogstad translates architectural details and everyday objects into wearable pieces. Artist: Born and raised in East Calais, VT, Rogstad got her start working with metal in the eighth grade at her public high school, which had a metals and jewelry studio. From there, she was hooked. Rogstad went to Maine College…