Artists are central to a community. Through creative expression, artists help others reflect on the world around them and gain a deeper understanding of their own experiences. Supporting the arts and artists is essential in cultivating a more empathetic and reflective society.
Artist Lois Harvey developed her love of ceramics during college. She initially intended to study graphic design at Georgia Southern University, but after discovering pottery, she changed her major to 3D Art. Harvey was heavily involved in the campus clay community during her time at GS and participated in many Club Mud campus sales.
After graduating from Georgia Southern with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2014, she moved to Philadelphia to continue growing her expertise at The Clay Studio, followed by a move to New York City to work in high-touch finishes. In 2022, Harvey returned to Statesboro to continue to grow her pottery career. In addition to creating her own pieces, Harvey currently teaches workshops and classes for both children and adults to help spread her love for the art.
As a functional potter, Harvey creates beautiful objects intended for use in everyday life, such as mugs, bowls and spoon rests. Her work is well balanced and minimalist, with clean lines and attention to detail. On some pieces, she adds sculptural or graphic elements using clay or glaze to create dimension. On others, she layers glaze to create a dreamy effect. The magic is being able to see the different layers of glaze, noticing how two distinct glazes mix to create a new color.
The inaugural Statesboro Festival of the Arts will feature the work of Harvey and more than 35 other talented visual artists from Statesboro and the surrounding region. The ultimate goal of this event is to cultivate a vibrant, inclusive arts community that fosters appreciation and understanding of traditional and contemporary artistic expression.
The festival will be held at The Market at Visit Statesboro on Saturday, March 22, from 10 a.m.–5 p.m., and Sunday, March 23, from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. There will also be educational activities for children, live musical performances, and a diverse food truck court. Admission is free!