Debra Rice

"Resilience"

9.5"W x 8"D x 14"H

Coil-built ceramic vase with metal and wood embellishments. I combined materials to represent the craft community's connection and comradery through the best of times and--very recently--the worst of times.

Artist Bio:

Debra Rice is a ceramic artist and educator in Richmond, VA. She holds a BFA in Design from Old Dominion University and a BFA in Art Education from Virginia Commonwealth University. Debra discovered her passion for ceramics in 2021 at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond (VisArts). She instantly knew clay was the medium she'd been searching for her whole life. VisArts is now her "second home," where she creates her work, teaches Ceramic Surface Decoration, and has found the most supportive, inspiring and fun community she's known.

Debra views clay as a versatile and limitless 3D canvas. Her functional pieces feature playful twists and unique details, decorated with graphic patterns or representational imagery. Her sculptural work takes on a deeply personal, narrative quality, helping her process feelings and experiences related to living with chronic illness since age 11.

She's participated in several juried shows and many local markets, including 2024 Craft + Design. In the past year, she co-curated three exhibitions-a challenging yet rewarding experience that deepened her connections with fellow artists and gave her a newfound appreciation for the work done behind the scenes.