In her multi-media art and installations, Elyse Defoor explores a variety of contemporary themes. In one popular series, the Atlanta artist uses women’s swimsuits as a symbol for our culture’s obsession with outward appearances. In another, Defoor photographs knives and bullet shells to reflect our fascination with objects that can both protect and destroy. No…
Georgia-based artist Courtney Khail produces abstract floral watercolor paintings and murals using pools of bold color and layers of gestural lines. Artist: Originally from Augusta, Khail studied visual arts at John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School for eight years in her hometown. She graduated from the University of Georgia in 2007 with a BFA in…
Atlanta-based artist Melissa Sims is known for her fun, pop-art paintings that look like glossy photographs. Artist: The Georgia native was born and grew up in Conyers, GA. After taking a photography class in high school, she wanted to learn more. She graduated from the University of Georgia with a BFA in photography and a…
Atlanta-based painter Charles Keiger creates a world that is both familiar, with real-world elements, and surreal. Artist: Born in Asheville, NC, Keiger mostly grew up in Rock Hill, SC. He earned a BFA from the University of South Carolina and an MFA from the University of Georgia, where he decided to go after reading a…
Jasmine Best tells stories in her textile and fiber art. Often, they are her own. Other times, they are family stories. But all give a platform to the varied experiences and identities of Black women in the South. Artist: Born in Jacksonville, NC, and grew up mostly in North Charleston, SC. Best earned a BFA in New…
With organic shapes, surface decoration and adornments, such as fish hooks and hand-cut metal, North Carolina ceramic artist Isys Hennigar explores the relationship between humans and the natural world, particularly that of Appalachia. Artist: Grew up near Asheville and earned a BFA Studio Art from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill in 2017. In…
After being reintroduced to ceramics three years ago, Georgia artist Kate Couch found that her watercolor designs, patterns and imagery translate seamlessly onto functional, clay surfaces. The artist: Born in Los Angeles, Couch grew up in Piedmont, CA, and Dunwoody, GA. She graduated with a BFA in art education from the University of Georgia and…
Atlanta’s Jaime Keiter collages individually handcrafted, painted and glazed tiles to create her ceramic sculptures. The artist: Born in Cleveland, OH, Keiter grew up in the Atlanta area and graduated from UGA with degree in art, focusing on photography. She moved to NYC for 15 years and worked as a magazine photo editor and art…
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…
Georgia artist Paula Reynaldi turns a humble material into something extraordinary: masking tape sculptures. The artist: Reynaldi was born and grew up in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she studied music and art. Then worked as a cellist and a music teacher. In 2021, she moved to the United States, first to Iowa City, where she…