Artist: Olivia Avery
Olivia Avery, TENNESSEE
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ARTIST BIO
Olivia Avery is a clay artist from Memphis, TN. Growing up in a family of twelve Olivia often sought rest and stillness outdoors within the plants, foliage, and garden. The relationship between humans and nature, especially plants, has always astounded her. Olivia received her BFA in ceramics and drawing from Union University in 2018. Olivia makes functional pottery and sculptural forms stemming with colorful plant motifs and exploring the essence of the natural world. You can find her work in galleries and fine art festivals throughout the United States and Europe.
ARTIST STATEMENT
I wheel throw or hand build each piece then hand paint and underglaze trail or stain my clay and slip trail every one of my plant motifs. Each piece is freehanded and holds very subtle differing qualities while maintaining uniqueness. All pieces are fired in a cone 6 Oxidation.
Education, Leadership, and Residencies
BFA in Ceramics and Drawing 2018
Tennessee Craft: Board member (2024)
Watershed Ceramics - Newcastle Maine:
Short term summer residency “Cross Pollination” (2024)
A.I.R Vallauris – “Atelier Tremplin”
Vallauris, France. Short term Residency (2026)
Juried, Invitational and Solo Exhibitions
(2022)
Gulf Coast state college Fifteenth Annual Cup Show: “Form and Function”
(2023)
Las Laguna Art Gallery’s ‘BOTANICAL 2023’
Oglebay Institute's Earth and Fire exhibit 2023
Las Laguna Art Gallery’s ‘WOMEN IN ART’ 2023
Savannah Clay Community’s SIP: A Ceramic Cup Show 2023
Charlie Cummings Gallery
Cup: The Intimate Object XVIII 2023
Ogden Museum of Southern Art
Art of the Cup exhibition 2023
Companion Gallery
Holiday Exhibition 2023
(2024)
Charlie Cummings Gallery
Functional Canvas IX 2024
Savannah Clay Community’s SIP: A Ceramic Cup Show 2024
Webster Arts “Emerald” 2024
Solo exhibition at the Renasant Convention Center - Memphis TN 2024
Charlie Cummings Gallery
Featured Artist 2024
Best of Tennessee Craft: 2024 Biennial Exhibition
Solo exhibition at Renasant Convention Center “Nature et Desiderium” 2024
Belgar Crane Yard Gallery
Holiday Exhibition 2024
(2025)
“Earth and Fire” Stifel Fine Arts Center | Oglebay Institute, 2025
“Juried Functional Teapot Show III”, NCECA, 2025
Savannah Clay Community “SIP: A Ceramic Cup Show” 2025
Worcester Center for Crafts “ CERAMIC BOTANICA” 2025
Mikhail Zakin Gallery at The Art School at Old Church “In Hand” 2025
Lake Placid Center for the Arts Annual Pottery Invitational 2025
Featured Artist | Charlie Cummings Gallery 2025
“Material Mugs X” | Companion Gallery 2025
Holding Space | Studio & Gallery 2025
(2026)
“Invitation Au Voyage” | A.I.R. Vallauris 2026
“Ceramics 2026” | Comanion Gallery 2026
“Botanic Vessel” | Saratoga Clay Arts 2026
“Teapot Invitational” | Cedar Creek Gallery 2026
“In Hand” | Mikhail Zakin Gallery at The Art School at Old Church 2026
“Yunomi Invitational” | ClayAkar 2026
AWARDS
(2024)
Fairhope Arts and Crafts Festival “Award of Excellence” 2024
Magic City Art Connection “Award of Merit” 2024
Tennessee Craft Fair “Award of Merit” 2024
Monte Sano Arts Huntsville “Best in Show” 2024
Edwardsville Art Fair “Best of Show” 2024
3 Rivers Covington Art Festival Founders “Tribe Award”
(2025)
Fairhope Arts and Crafts Festival “Award of Distinction” 2025
Edwardsville Art show “Award of Excellence” 2025
PUBLICATIONS
Memphis Magazine Holiday gift guide 2023
Pottery Making Illustrated How to Article 2025
ICAN Calendar contest 2025
Memphis Voyager Magazine 2025
Daily Memphian Convention Center Feature 2025
“May 2026” Issue of House and Garden 2026
Workshops and Demos
Hudson Valley potters Surface workshop 2025
Artist talk and Demonstration at the University of Memphis 2025
Mug workshop at The Handle Factory, Shelburne Falls, MA 2025
Surface Adornment workshop, A.I.R. Vallauris. Vallauris, France 2026