Debby Freed
Debby Freed’s formal background is in English and Creative Writing. Because of her desire to tell stories, many of my sculptures have a narrative element. Over the years, her hand-built anthropomorphic animal sculptures have evolved technically and thematically, many of them in a whimsical and humorous way, as with her Animals of Assisi series, where those who take on the role of St Francis are perhaps caring for the animals they’re holding or curating their next meal, sometimes they are “caring for” animals who are their predators. As a clawhammer banjo player, many of her small animals are string band musicians, and others are simply reading a book or enjoying a cup of coffee. Her small, medium, and large sgraffito animals have carved designs that are inspired by textile patterns and nature. They are hand built using coil, pinch, and slab techniques. She would like to think that her pieces have a spark that makes people stop, think, and smile.
JURIED SHOWS AND AWARDS
•2025 NOVEMBER – CROSSROADS ARTS MULTI-MEDIA SHOW – HONORABLE MENTION, SGRAFFITO COW, AGNES
•2025 MAY 5 – AUGUST 1 SOLO SHOW, MONTGOMERY MUSEUM, CHRISTIANSBURG, VA
•2023 BLUE RIDGE POTTERS GUILD SHOW “MOST UNUSUAL DESIGN”
•2023 NEW RIVER VALLEY BIENNIAL SHOW
•2023 2ND PLACE 3-D ART AT THE MARKET – BLACKSBURG, VA
•2023 RADFORD CITY FINE ARTS SHOW – RADFORD, VA
•2022 BLUE RIDGE POTTERS GUILD SHOW “MOST UNIQUE”
•2022 2ND PLACE 3-D ART AT THE MARKET – BLACKSBURG, VA
•2020 THE ART OF MUSIC – FLOYD, VA
•2019 1ST PLACE 3-D ART AT THE MARKET – BLACKSBURG, VA
•2019 NEW RIVER VALLEY BIENNIAL SHOW
•2019 1ST PLACE RADFORD CITY FINE ARTS SHOW – RADFORD, VA
