Member Artists
Member Artists
Photo credit to Photographer Nancy Willians
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Tina Alberni Tina Alberni grew up between Puerto Rico, Colombia and Miami and is of Hispanic heritage. The vibrancy of her culture is clear across her art expression. Bright color combinations and bold shapes weave throughout her paintings, her knotted jewelry and her painted glassware and ornament line. When she is not in her painting studio with paintbrush in hand tackling a giant abstract, she is designing and creating jewelry or painting on glass. Her jewelry-making journey started one day when she found herself unable to paint during a time of illness. Looking for a creative outlet she connected color with beads and stories, and so the journey began about 11 years ago. Her unique knotted jewelry designs combine eco-friendly materials and bright colors inspired by the Inca culture she grew up surrounded by, bringing a fresh, happy, contemporary vibe. Whether dressing-up or down, her fun jewelry wears comfortably and makes a statement. Alberni always picks up beads when she travels because she can get them directly from the artisans. Otherwise, she takes care of sourcing eco-friendly beads from reputable companies who often help sustain fair trade practices among artisans. The journey is a big part of her motivation. She started hand painting glassware and holiday glass ornaments about 5 years ago and just can't stop! Her use of color is magical and makes each piece a unique conversation piece. Special orders for jewelry, and holiday glass ornaments need to be made well in advance by contacting her via her website Here | Shop Here |
Artisanal beaded jewelry
Hand painted glass ornaments
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Robert Beam
Robert Beam is an accomplished stained glass artist. For Robert, working in stained glass allows him to draw upon his own sense of style, drama and whimsy to combine a historic medium with innovative design for endless possibilities. Born near Carlisle Pennsylvania, Cumberland County served as the backdrop for his education in art and craftsmanship and has continued to inspire many of his stained glass pieces. Robert currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina which continues to impassion his work with its beautiful landscapes and diverse industry. A self-taught artist, Robert has been working with glass since 2000 and has produced beautiful custom pieces for both commercial businesses and residential homes. His skills in glass span from exquisite window panels to three- dimensional fused-glass and the introduction of natural media into his designs as well as functional and wearable art. Robert’s work has been exhibited throughout the east coast. The almost mystical qualities of stained glass are what inspire Robert to create artwork in this medium. Glass is a frozen liquid that acts like a solid. It transmits light. The mood of each piece changes as the sun’s natural light changes. Sometimes it is very active, at other times seemingly reflective and passive. It mysteriously appears different each time it’s looked at. It will change as the seasons change, constantly offering a new view and new vision. Find Robert's work Here |
Stained glass
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Janet Borchardt
For almost her whole life, Janet has had a passion for creating things, whether it’s recipes in the kitchen, spreadsheets in the office, pottery from clay, or exquisite pieces from glass. Spending most of her childhood in the mountainous valley of Roanoke, Virginia, she treasured long walks in the woods with her great grandmother who would identify every flower and leaf and explain their importance and usage. These precious memories are reflected in much of her glasswork today. Janet’s professional art journey began with clay after moving to Charlotte in 1992. Eight years later, she took a stained-glass class and was captivated by the texture of the glass, the way light bounces off its surface and creates shadows in the background. Shortly thereafter, she acquired her very own kiln and torch and began experimenting and creating her own beautiful glass pieces. As a self-taught artist, Janet encourages people to pick up her work and physically feel it so that they too can be captivated by its texture as well as its visual appeal. Find Janet's work HERE |
Stained glass
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Celena Burnett
Celena's work is thrown on a Leach-style treadle wheel which replaces the regular movement of the electric wheel with rhythm of the body. Once thrown on the wheel, many of the forms are altered and manipulated. Self-designed hand-carved stamps may be applied to add distinctive texture and enhance the pot's appearance. The pots are glazed by a combination of dunking and spraying. Celena fires her work in an oxidation atmosphere of an electric kiln. The result is unique, functional pottery that brings beauty into our kitchens and living spaces. Celena’s love for clay started at Winthrop University where she earned her BFA in the Ceramic Arts in 1992. In 1994 she moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where she became involved with the Cincinnati Clay Alliance and was also active in the Art Guild. Celena taught Throwing and Handbuilding classes there and worked in a local gallery. In 1999 she moved to South Carolina and set up a home studio and taught classes at the Clayground in Charlotte. In 2005 In addition to teaching, Celena displays in galleries and sells at art fairs. She participates in the Carolina Claymatters Guild and goes to many pottery workshops, including a course in Italy in 2005. Find Celena's work HERE |
Functional pottery
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Renee Calder
While pursuing a career as a TV producer in NY, Reness spent 10+ years as a student/apprentice at the Jewelry Arts Institute in NYC focusing on Byzantine and Etruscan style of jewelry design, including ancient granulation/fusion techniques working in 22K gold. Upon moving to NC, she discovered the rich and varied ceramics community and became more intrigued with incorporating textures and found objects into her work bringing to life what has been discarded or overlooked in both metal and clay. Recent ceramics reflect the fusion of texture and design similar to her one of a kind jewelry pieces. “My work is a reflection of the diversity of the world around us. I strive to bring personality into each piece - to engage the viewer with the unexpected. I focus mostly on the combination of materials, where the mundane becomes something more, engaging the viewer to take a second look and see things in a different way. I want to challenge our notions of the use of materials and prompt a new perception of ordinary things that surround us." Find Renee's work Here. |
Mixed media pottery
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Kelly Carlson-Reddig
Jewelry artist Kelly Carlson-Reddig is a Registered Architect and Associate Professor and the in the School of Architecture at UNC Charlotte. Her artwork spans across scales, from jewelry (at the scale of the body), to paintings and low-relief sculpture (at the scale of the wall), to collaborative installations (at the scale of architectural space). The conceptual umbrella connecting these diverse works and scales is “Tectonic-Arts”, which includes her passions for tectonics, technique and materiality. The esthetic vocabulary of Tectonic-Arts jewelry inherently reflects architectural and industrial themes, forms and materials, including steel, metals, enamel, and found objects. Prior to moving to Charlotte, she practiced architecture in Boston and Cambridge, Massachusetts. She earned her Master of Environmental Design in Architectural Theory at Yale University and her Bachelor of Architecture at Texas Tech University. Carlson-Reddig's work was exhibited and sold at Ciel Gallery and is currently in the Asheville Museum Art Shop. Find Kelly's work Here |
Industrial Jewelry
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Kathy Collins
A native of Michigan, painting with oils has become a passion for this award-winning North Carolina artist. Her inspiration comes from travels around the country and beyond and she is continually amazed at the beauty that surrounds us. Since the beginning of her art career, she has been guided by widely-respected contemporary artists who have taught her new ways to express herself. She continues to expand her artistic knowledge by studying in regional and national workshops with artists whose works and style spark a connection with her. She is an active member of the Guild of Charlotte Artists, having served on the Board for several years and she is also a member of Matthews Artist Guild. Participating in a local weekly plein air group is important to her as she feels it gives her helpful insights which inform her studio work. She has travelled around the country and throughout North Carolina to participate in plein air events. This exposure to nationally known top-tier plein air artists has helped her grow immensely in her art career. She has been invited to become a full member of Charlotte Art Collective, a juried exhibition of artists of differing creative arts offering two well-attended and anticipated shows each year. She is represented by Gooch Gallery at Sonesta Resort in Hilton Head SC, 3 French Hens at Cotswold Marketplace in Charlotte as well as a separate wall for her artwork inside Cotswold Marketplace. Find her work Here or Instagram |
Painting
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Philip DeCarlo
My art is a marriage of exotic woods, fine arts and functionality. Items such as jewelry boxes, bowls and vases are made with elegant curves, natural colors, precision and exquisite finishing techniques. Having grown up in the foothills of the great Adirondack Mountains, my love of nature inspired my artistic vision throughout my life. While walking though a forest I would often marvel at the complexity, color, form and beautiful grain textures that nature had to offer. These interests were cultivated over the years and developed when I studied art in college. This resulted in many artistic medium endeavors such as landscape oil painting, sculptures, pen and ink drawings etc. However, creating art from the natural beauty of trees from around the world is what stimulates me the most. From foreign forests I breathe new life into each piece. Sumptuous lines and natural appealing grains and colors allow the woods history of growth to be reborn and forever remembered in a fresh body of art to be loved and enjoyed. I am a member of the American Association of Woodturners. When not creating in my shop, I enjoy traveling to Art shows throughout the Carolinas with my wife, showing and selling my art and enjoying life. Find his work Here |
Wood
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Hilde Deprez
Hilde is a native of Belgium, lived in Charlotte since 1990. She earned a BS in fine arts at the St. Lucas Institute in Ghent, Belgium, with a concentration in traditional printmaking that focused on old school techniques such as etching wood carving and lithography. Working as a Graphic Designer she discovered her love for illustration and later wood painting. “I started making illustrations for greeting cards and discovered the art of painting on wood surfaces.” “I create several different Lazy Susan designs, make colorful coat hangers and wall art. Jumping jacks made of wood are a new project I am working on. The painted wood objects are painted with acrylic paint and then varnished to make it a durable object. The new illustrations for greeting cards are a combination of watercolor and color pencil.. Find her work HERE |
Illustration
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Wood
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Rachel Dortch
Rachel lives in Charlotte, NC, where she is married to her high school sweetheart, and loves spending time with their three beautiful children. She prefers jeans to dresses, dessert to dinner, and believes little things make a big difference. Twenty years in the interior design and custom furniture industry gave Rachel a firsthand look at the enormous amount of textiles wasted each year. After designing her first handbag, an idea was born to merge her love of design, her need to create, her flair with textiles, and her uber recycling sensibilities. In the summer of 2011, Rachel launched her handbag line, Marge and Rudy, named for her parents. Marge and Rudy handbags are eco- friendly, made from fabrics and leathers sourced from custom order remnants and design over-specs. Rachel saves these high-end designer fabrics and leathers from the landfill and transforms them into unique, fashion forward accessories. Because the materials she uses are “to the Trade Only”, over-specs, and custom runs, many Marge and Rudy handbags are one of a kind or limited edition, as unique as the women who carry them. Stylish and environmentally friendly, you can’t beat that! And let’s face it… a girl can never have too many bags. Find her work Here |
Leather
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Nancy Fuller
Nancy believes that the Essential Soap Company is making the world a cleaner place one bar at a time. Beginning their soap career about 12 years ago, after meeting a soap maker in Washington, purity and scent are the hallmarks of everything they produce. Long lasting and all natural, each product is handmade and contains no chemical additives, artificial scents or animal fats. Many are vegan and contain local ingredients such as herbs, honey, and beeswax to create the finest handmade soap possible. Because the scents are derived from mixtures of pure essential oils the products are nurturing on several levels... aromatherapy coupled with purity and quality. Find her work Here 
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Handmade soaps
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Amy Hart
Amy graduated from Syracuse University with a BFA in Surface Design and Metalsmithing. She has worked as a commercial artist for York Wallcoverings, Hallmark Cards, and Springs Industries. Amy has also been welding and forging iron for over 20 years. Because she creates "found object" art, when Amy is not stopping her car on the side of the road to "re-purpose" an old muffler, she can be found at one of the local scrap yards in North and South Carolina. "I believe each object has its own intrinsic value. Just as we can all reinvent and rediscover ourselves, an old rusted out muffler can be transformed to personify a penguin." Find her work Here |
Metal sculpture
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Valerie Hawkins
Valerie is a potter making primarily functional work. She is interested in the interaction of opposites and this is reflected in her work through use of black and white unglazed surfaces next to glazed surface areas, shiny surfaces next to matte surfaces, textured surfaces mingled with smooth surfaces, and soft curves against flat planes. Valerie’s work has its roots in the American studio pottery tradition, but the finished look has a contemporary edge. Her goal is to make pottery that is elegant enough for a formal setting, but is sturdy and durable enough for everyday use. Work by Valerie is carried at The Greenhill, Greensboro, NC, Stewart's Village Gallery, Waxhaw, NC, Pottery 101, Salisbury NC, Gallery West, Columbia, SC. Find Valerie's work Here 
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Functional pottery
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Janie Jones
Melting glass made its first impact when my husband and I were in Germany while he was in the army. Immediately intrigued, the impression lingered for years. Back in the States, it took time to find instructors whose work spoke to me, even longer to persuade them to teach me some skills. Playing with fire for a living is always a surprise. Glass continues to offer a platform for expression, exploration and creativity … and even frustration at times! I’ve been working with glass for more than 20 years and have come to better understand its rhythms, requirements, and boundless potential - and it still amazes me! Life with glass has taken me many places, both mentally and physically, and I now share this wonderful art form through teaching at NC State University, "BeadCamp" in Florida, local workshops, and in my own studio here in Charlotte. Find Janie's work Here |
Glass
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Rosemary Peduzzi
Rosemary works with clay, paper, ink, and paint to produce functional art. Growing up in the New England countryside, she spent many hours outdoors in the woodlands, streams, and fields that surrounded her. Elements from and references to natural objects often show up in her pottery, handmade paper, handmade books & encaustic paintings. Drawn to artistic endeavors of one sort or another since childhood, for the past fifteen years, Rosemary has devoted much of her energy to developing as an artist and expanding the artistic mediums through which she works. She has benefited from many workshops with renowned artists at Penland School of Crafts and other craft programs, including La Meridiana, a ceramics school in the hills of Tuscany. Find her work Here |
Pottery
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Hand made book
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Julie Philip
Julie Philip is a local Fiber Artist. Using felting techniques such as nuno felt, wet felting and needle felting as a contemporary art form. Her work is comprised of many different fibers, natural and dyed wool, silk, bamboo, mohair, and many other fibers layered onto silk or cotton gauze to make scarves and wall tapestries. Using a barbed needle, Julie also uses dyed wools to “paint with wool” for her popular bird paintings. Sculptural pieces are made using wool and needle felt technique, which uses a sharp barbed needle to achieve 3D figures. Julie has recently become fascinated with eco printing on silk scarves. Using leaves from trees and plants, pressed onto silk that leave beautiful prints from nature. Julie’s love of nature and beautiful landscapes inspire her work. Find Julie's work Here |
Felting
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Eva Rizzardi
Eva was born in Italy, grew up in Southern Switzerland, and lived in the Northern region of Germany before moving to Charlotte, North Carolina, in 1982. In 1994 she achieved her Associate Degree in Fine Art, which has broadened her horizons. She loves color and is constantly exploring unlimited combinations. Richness and vibrancy of color are the identifying mark of her work. More recently she has been developing her skill in the stark contrast of black and white with etchings, aquatints, and mezzotints. Printmaking is an especially keen skill that combines and blends several techniques. For her it is a rewarding, a well as sometimes frustrating experience; but she loves the challenge. Eva’s work has been accepted and won awards and recognition in numerous competitions for years, and she has had several one person exhibitions. Her work is a part of many private and corporate collections, including collections in Canada and Europe. Find Eva's work Here |
Painting
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Patrick Robertson
Growing up in close proximity to the city of Charlotte, NC, didn’t deter Patrick Robertson from discovering her love of nature. Tagged a tomboy in her youth, Patrick spent her childhood exploring the woods and streams that surrounded her family’s home. Before turning to a full-time career as a crafts artist, Patrick lived out her passion for the great outdoors in obs that included sheep tending, carpentry, farming and archaeology. Patrick began her crafts career as a ceramic artist. When several kiln mishaps destroyed numerous ceramic pieces, Patrick sought other materials and techniques not vulnerable to the fiery gods of a ceramic kiln. Today her works are comprised of wrapped paper strips and paper pulp/paper clay mixture over wire armatures. Smooth surfaces provide the perfect “canvas” for her highly detailed and patterned surfaces. |
Carved wood
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Richard Siegel
Richard's work is a collaborative effort with nature where technique, control, and self-expression are realized. Watercolor painting is Richard’s first love: depicting beautiful landscapes and seascapes. He also enjoys working with different types of wood; turning bowls and building custom furniture. Richard has been an artist and craftsman for 50 years. A degree in fine arts from the Massachusetts College of Art was the beginning of Richard’s journey. Richard has also studied at the University of Frankfurt in Germany. It was at Boston's North Bennet Industrial School that Richard developed his interest in furniture making; and at the Wentworth Institute, in Boston, he studied architectural drawing. Richard sees teaching as a stimulating challenge. The Cambridge Center for Adult Education in Massachusetts and the Dallas Creative Arts Center in Texas have been just two of the many places where Richard’s students have inspired him. He presently lives in Charlotte, NC, where he has his studio and gallery, and is a Continuing Education instructor at Queens University and Central Piedmont Community College. Richard has work in many private and corporate collections. Find Richard's work Here |
Wood
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Rae Stark
Rae is a ceramic artist, specializes in the sgraffito technique of hand carving images on both functional and decorative porcelain pieces. Sometimes whimsical, sometimes logical and more structured, her motifs are inspired by everyday things, such as flowers in the garden, birds on a wire, or design details on a door. She enjoys the interplay of drawing the positive image of the motif and carving away the negative spaces around it. Since no two pieces are exactly alike, each experience allows a fresh representation of an idea. Rae is a studio artist at Clayworks, Charlotte, NC. She works at both Clayworks and at her home studio in Matthews, NC. She is an active member of Carolina Clay Matters Pottery Guild. Her work is available at the Charlotte Art Collective shows, Carolina Clay Matters Pottery Festivals, Pottery 101 in Salisbury, NC, Clayworks shows, in Charlotte, |
Pottery
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Functional pottery
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Gena Van Dyke
Gena's work, while modern in finish, has an air of timelessness reminiscent of European designs. She credits the influence of artwork collected by her family from around the world. History has shown clay objects have always been a part of our lives, whether for function or decoration. Even in today’s high-tech world of immediate communication and material acquisition, Gena believes the clay can be a natural counterbalance. It invites us to connect and enjoy the comforting quality of the earth hand formed by another individual. Gena opened her studio in 1999, and is proud to be a part of the continuing pottery tradition, forming each piece with patience and anticipation. Enjoy! You can find Gena's work at Here |
Photography
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Nancy Williams
Nancy's interest in photography began at Clemson University while advertising manager for the yearbook. "Even though we were working with older cameras, the experience gave me an eye for photography that has really stuck with me to this day," she says. Since that time, Williams retired from Duke Energy and has taken her art to a whole new level. From showcasing her work at festivals and gardens around the area, to teaching elementary students as part of a summer camp, her expertise - and her work - is high demand. In 1996, Williams was photographing the National Austin Healey show at the Biltmore when she realized she must find a way to further pursue her interest. Not long after, while visiting friends, she stumbled upon photo note cards in a gift store. Intrigued by the photos and the idea, Williams reached out to the artist and received some sage advice - and inspiration - to take her craft further. Today, Williams, an avid traveler, has transformed many images from her travels, love for nature, and people and places into note cards and framed artwork. Regardless of whether she’s captured flowers in an Amsterdam garden or the Dilworth area of Charlotte, Williams says she has found one thing to be true: “I find that people are attracted to the things that are most familiar to them,” she says. A picture of Williams’ Border Terrier dogs named Lucas and Austin continue to be fan favorites. And her more recent photos of Charlotte icons – like the signs on the Green and the Charlotte skyline – are also very popular among individuals and companies. Visit Nancy Here |