Athens Art Guild

Medium:

Jewelry

Artist Statement:

Unique silver jewelry that highlights the use of hand-polished gem and mineral cabochons and antique ceramics. Each piece is individual and designed to complement the unique interests of the wearer through designs inspired by nature and historic art movements.

Medium:

Fiber Arts (e.g., knitting, crochet, quilting, sewing, paper art, etc)

Artist Statement:

Hand crocheted baby ponchos with matching hats. Machine washable and dryable hypoallergenic acrylic yarns. Adjustable so will fit newborn to 12-18 months.

Medium:

Drawing (e.g., charcoal, pastels, pencil, ink, prints, etc), Mixed-Media, Painting (e.g., water colors, ink, oil, prints, murals, etc), Printing

Artist Statement:

Terry Fortkamp was born in 1951 in the rural flat lands of Mercer County, Ohio and grew up in a loving, and supportive family and community. Her illustrations, paintings and etchings reflect her introspective and sincere spirit. Sun drenched memories from early childhood produce subjects for much of Fortkamp’s work. Clothes drying on a clothesline, aprons, flowering bushes, and room interiors all reflect her love for an earlier, slower way of life. Although most of her work is representational in style, she is currently creating small joy filled art pieces using handmade paper, pressed flowers and acrylic paint.

Medium:

Photography

Artist Statement:

Photography is my art form and I strive to represent the beauty of Southeast Ohio landscapes and wildflowers. I offer note cards and matted prints. I have a background in art, botany and natural resources and photography brings it all together. It is a joy to share.

Medium:

Personal Care Items (e.g., lotions, make-up, beard oils, salves, deodorant, etc)

Artist Statement:

I create luxurious personal care products that are natural, organic, and small batch. These include artisan soaps, skin butters, shampoo bars, deodorants, and lip balms.

Medium:

Fiber Arts (e.g., knitting, crochet, quilting, sewing, paper art, etc), Jewelry, Mixed-Media

Artist Statement:

I love to use unusual, upcycled items in all forms. From jewelry and accessories to large pieces for your home. Bright colors to dark and moody I love it all.

Medium:

Jewelry

Artist Statement:

Cricket Jones revives vintage and antique sterling silverware into rings,earrings and pendants

Medium:

Mixed-Media, Woodwork

Artist Statement:

Dying Star Fabrications creates decorative and functional pieces for use around the home.

Medium:

Painting (e.g., water colors, ink, oil, prints, murals, etc)

Artist Statement:

Zainab Lahlou is a wife, mother, and artist living in a charming village surrounded by beautiful fields in Ohio. With a background in graphic design, she discovered her true passion in painting, working primarily with acrylics and oils. Zainab’s art is characterized by vibrant colors and expressive compositions, designed to evoke emotion and capture the beauty of the everyday

Medium:

Mixed-Media

Artist Statement:

\n\nAs a pyrography artist, I create one-of-a-kind pieces by hand-burning designs into wood, vegan suede, and even paper notecards. My journey began with a spark of curiosity, rooted in the doodles of my childhood and later ignited by the discovery of pyrography at a craft show. Each piece I create celebrates the beauty of imperfection—what I call \”perfectly imperfect\”—reflecting the individuality of both the medium and my artistic vision.\n\nMy work as a firefighter has deepened my appreciation for fire’s dual nature: its capacity for destruction and its power to inspire. This duality drives my art, transforming simple materials into vibrant, textured creations. While my art often stands alone, I frequently infuse it with acrylic paint, rhinestones, and textiles, blending tradition with modern touches.\n\nPyrography is an Appalachian art form that requires patience and attention to detail. I honor this tradition while pushing boundaries, adding my own creative flair and embracing the unexpected. Each hand-burned piece is a testament to the time, effort, and soul poured into its creation—a celebration of artistry, nature, and individuality.

Medium:

Floral resin art

Artist Statement:

\nI am a jewelry maker/resin artist from SE Ohio inspired by the natural world around me. I try to capture the beauty of nature in my work as I use resin to preserve the vibrant colors of flowers, leaves, mushrooms, and ferns that I have hand harvested and dried. All of my pieces have unique floral arrangements as I meticulously place each petal and frond into different patterns.

Medium:

Jewelry, Painting (e.g., water colors, ink, oil, prints, murals, etc), Photography, functional art

Artist Statement:

Jessica Held is the artist and owner of Flux and Function LLC, a small business she founded in 2017 in Athens, Ohio. She combines painting and photography to create functional art for everyday use. By pouring paints, glues, and pigments, she creates abstract paintings and then photographs her favorite details while the paint is still wet. These detailed images are printed onto mugs and coasters in her studio using a professional-grade sublimation printer and heat press, made possible by an Ohio’s Winding Road Seed Grant.\n\nHer functional artwork is available at FluxAndFunction.com and in local shops across Ohio.\n\nIn addition to her studio work, Jessica is a teaching artist with the Ohio Arts Council, Arts Possible Ohio, and The Dairy Barn Arts Center, working with all ages across several counties in Southeastern Ohio. She also serves as a coordinator for the annual Ohio Pawpaw Festival in Albany, Ohio.\n\n

Medium:

Fiber Arts (e.g., knitting, crochet, quilting, sewing, paper art, etc), Jewelry, Mixed-Media, Photography

Artist Statement:

I enjoy celebrating the beauty, colors, forms and texture found in nature and the modern world. I create jewelry and dimensional art using a variety of techniques and mediums, often utilizing natural and recycled items.

Medium:

Personal Care Items (e.g., lotions, make-up, beard oils, salves, deodorant, etc)

Artist Statement:

I have been making cold process soap since 1996 using the finest organic ingredients, essential oils for scent, and natural clays, botanical powders and petals for color.

Medium:

Jewelry, Ornaments made from guitar strings

Artist Statement:

Fox Designs Jewelry specializes in recycled guitar string jewelry; saving musical instrument strings from the landfill since 2008. The majority of used strings are sourced through independent music shops in Southeast/Central Ohio with a portion of proceeds going to support local youth music programs. A new line features the used strings from Athens Middle School Mrs. Purdy’s 8th grade guitar class. \nCustom orders are always welcome; we love to make our clients unique heirloom pieces of jewelry made from their strings. For example, our clients send us their used guitar strings and we make their keepsake jewelry or ornaments from their old strings. Secondary lines of recycled jewelry utilizes men’s neckties and vintage & modern buttons.\n

Medium:

Fiber Arts (e.g., knitting, crochet, quilting, sewing, paper art, etc), Glass (e.g., blown, fused, or stained), Leather Work

Artist Statement:

I’ve been working in glass for 30+ years. I enjoy all of the aspects of glass. Glass work gives you multiple techniques and results. I also have been sewing for more years than I can count and discovered purse making. I love working with leather, vinyl, cotton and repurposed fabric to make something I enjoy using.

Medium:

Drawing (e.g., charcoal, pastels, pencil, ink, prints, etc), Fiber Arts (e.g., knitting, crochet, quilting, sewing, paper art, etc), Photography

Artist Statement:

N/A – I can’t remember what I put on my previous application.

Medium:

Ceramics

Artist Statement:

I create functional pottery and home decor art based on the research I do on the ancient Celtic culture and my observations of the natural world around us.

Medium:

Painting (e.g., water colors, ink, oil, prints, murals, etc), Printing

Artist Statement:

(please keep previous bio)

Medium:

Tie-dye

Artist Statement:

We produce tie-dyed clothing and accessories for the family. We have been in business as a partnership for 18 years but have been tie-dyeing together commercially for over 65 years.

Medium:

Jewelry

Artist Statement:

As a lapidary and silversmith I create jewelry inspired by nature. My father first introduced me to the magic of cutting open a rock to expose Mother Nature’s beauty. For these beautiful polished stones, I create settings in silver, copper or gold that reflect the Appalachian foothills of southeastern Ohio.

Medium:

Ceramics

Artist Statement:

Making pottery in Athens County since 1969.

Medium:

Woodwork

Artist Statement:

I make live edge wooden furniture

Medium:

Fiber Arts (e.g., knitting, crochet, quilting, sewing, paper art, etc)

Artist Statement:

I have been knitting for 60 years. Make various items using different types of yarn. I also do custom work.

Medium:

Ceramics

Artist Statement:

Ceramic Sculpture and Pottery Inspired by Nature

Medium:

Candles, Personal Care Items (e.g., lotions, make-up, beard oils, salves, deodorant, etc)

Artist Statement:

Lone Wolf Lavender is a small family farm in southeast Ohio growing pesticide-free lavender and crafting all-natural products like simple syrup, body care, and jams. We blend farm-grown ingredients with simple recipes to create high-quality goods that are good for people and the planet.

Medium:

Jewelry, Mixed-Media, Painting (e.g., water colors, ink, oil, prints, murals, etc), Photography, Printing

Artist Statement:

Martha G. Michael is a professional visual artist in metalsmithing, oils, acrylics, printmaking, photography, encaustics and collage. She creates because it is a necessity, and her favorite medium is metal-which she has used in her art-making since the 1970s. Her interests in 3D metalwork include new processes involving surface textures, inlaying, small containers, sculptural additions and moveable pieces for design emphasis. Her 2D work involves photography of wild animals and faraway places, encaustic explorations, traditional drawing, painting and gel or plastic plate printmaking. She lives in Columbus with a studio in Albany, Ohio.

Medium:

Woodwork

Artist Statement:

No

Medium:

Jewelry, Mixed-Media, Painting (e.g., water colors, ink, oil, prints, murals, etc)

Artist Statement:

Keep the current one please

Medium:

Printing

Artist Statement:

Savannah Freeman is a self taught block print maker. Her work is inspired by the native plants and animals of Southeast Ohio.

Medium:

Fiber Arts (e.g., knitting, crochet, quilting, sewing, paper art, etc), Jewelry, Polymer Clay

Artist Statement:

Nadine Borovicka has always had a need to create. Starting with sewing clothing for her dolls and building elaborate homes for them out of cardboard. Moving through a myriad of techniques and materials throughout her life. Nadine currently teaches classes in the fiber arts, including knitting, crochet, and embroidery. She works with polymer clay to create her whimsical figurines and jewelry for sale.

Medium:

Woodwork

Artist Statement:

Albany, Ohio woodworker Ian Halliday, operating as Ohio Wood Art LLC, creates a wide variety of handcrafted wooden housewares, artwork, holiday decorations, and custom wooden products from locally-sourced, reclaimed, and exotic hardwoods. His designs highlight the natural beauty of the wood species he uses, and emphasize form as much as function.

Medium:

Leather Work

Artist Statement:

Leather bags,moccasins, rattles, foraging pouches, belt pouches. I accept special orders.

Medium:

Ceramics

Artist Statement:

Working with clay has always resonated with me. Wether it’s functional ceramics or sculptural, I enjoy the challenges of expressing and exploring life through clay.

Medium:

Fiber Arts (e.g., knitting, crochet, quilting, sewing, paper art, etc)

Artist Statement:

I am currently upcycling clothing and other fabrics into different functional work.

Medium:

Ceramics

Artist Statement:

Quinn Schmalenberg is an Athens, Ohio Native, and has been working with clay for the better part of 11 years. She creates small batch, handcrafted ceramics with the intention of bringing “earthen magick to your daily rituals.” Quinn Amorette Ceramics offers wares that are functional works of art, exploring the use of a variety of surface design techniques to adorn each piece of pottery. The motifs used in Quinn’s work are inspired by our natural world, the stars, as well as personal connections & practices with Celtic ancestral magic.

Medium:

Fiber Arts (e.g., knitting, crochet, quilting, sewing, paper art, etc), Personal Care Items (e.g., lotions, make-up, beard oils, salves, deodorant, etc)

Artist Statement:

Lifelong artisans in various media, Bill and Louise Goebel, owners of Renaissance Farms, have been engaged in creating eco-printed silks and fabrics for the past decade. The colors and design elements are the result of laying leaves, flowers and various plant parts on the fabric then steaming it. Their work contains no synthetic dyes. Most of the plants they use are collected on their 40 acre homestead.

Medium:

Copper Enameling, Watercolors, Limited Edition Art Prints

Artist Statement:

Creates nature and homelife inspired Watercolors and Copper Enameled Jewelry

Medium:

Ceramics, Mixed-Media

Artist Statement:

Cindy Yeager makes mixed media mosaics out of stained glass, vintage and antique jewelry, vintage Cracker Jack prizes and other more natural\nItems like shells or stones. She also works in Clay, primarily stoneware, making face pots for plants, one of a kind plates, trays and cups.

Medium:

Ceramics

Artist Statement:

Joyful pottery for the home made of porcelain clay.

Medium:

Fiber Arts (e.g., knitting, crochet, quilting, sewing, paper art, etc), Jewelry, Mixed-Media

Artist Statement:

Snark & Soul emphasizes sustainability and humor. Wearables are upcycled from Indian sari quilts, jewelry from textile scraps or business cards, purses from jeans or tins or cigar boxes, with straps of ties or belts. Even snarky opossum-themed greeting cards have backgrounds of former therapeutic doodling.

Medium:

Fiber Arts (e.g., knitting, crochet, quilting, sewing, paper art, etc)

Artist Statement:

Southeast Ohio Fiberworks, of Athens, Ohio, works to establish a regional fiber hub to create value for Southeast Ohio wools and offer unique local wool products. As we develop that supply chain, we offer small batch hand-dyed yarn – both local and European, local roving, and other supplies to fiber artists in and around Southeast Ohio.

Medium:

Jewelry, Mixed-Media

Artist Statement:

I create many items using resin (suncatchers, wall hangings, trinket trays and jewelry) using locally gathered flowers, in addition to utilizing recycled glass bottles and jars to create lanterns and lamps with LED fairy lights inside (these are hand painted using alcohol inks and acrylic paints.) I also hand paint faux leather to create detailed earrings.

Medium:

Jewelry, Personal Care Items (e.g., lotions, make-up, beard oils, salves, deodorant, etc)

Artist Statement:

We create one of a kind amulets and earrings with semi precious and precious gemstones, copper, sterling/fine silver, and gold filled wire. We take extra care to ethically source our materials, and buy our cabochons and crystals as close to the mined source as possible. We only work with high quality lapidary items to create elegant, one of a kind jewelry that brings the beneficial energy of the stones to the wearer in a beautiful and eye catching manner.

Medium:

Fiber Arts (e.g., knitting, crochet, quilting, sewing, paper art, etc)

Artist Statement:

Elizabeth of The Salty Otter crochets cute and colorful stuffed animals, keychains, soft sculptures, and practical items such as wallets and handbags. Everything is made with 100% cotton yarn and upcycled material when available.

Medium:

Woodwork

Artist Statement:

Anthony is an Appalachian woodworker whose passion for tradition and craftsmanship shines through in his wooden folk toys. His toys are lovingly handcrafted from safe, sustainable woods and encourage active play for both the body and mind. Some of his toys include nature-inspired push toys, challenging folk puzzles and durable wooden trucks, trains and tractors.

Medium:

Woodwork

Artist Statement:

Hand carved birds. Strive for reality.

Medium:

Photography

Artist Statement:

Vicky Mattson has a passion for nature. As an avid outdoorsperson she has hiked all three long trails in the United States. In College she minored in Photography she later was responsible for still photography on Move productions and had a ski Photography business in Utah. Now She has rekindled her love of photography . Taking photos of birds and some special landscapes is her main focus.

Medium:

Ceramics

Artist Statement:

See my IG page