Congratulations to Kemberley Lee Ann Giddens, of Jacksonville, Georgia, on being selected and honored as The 2008 Featured Artist by The Wiregrass Artists Guild Members. Kemberley’s Clay is “one-of-a-kind treasures” that she hand crafts. Some of her art work & jewelry take many many hours to complete, but it’s the thought and soul that she adds to the pieces that truly come through as you try to see all of the minute parts of the design. The details of the actual clay and the details that she then adds with paint and glazes merge together into a truly unique art form.

Kemberley was born in May of 1984 in Jacksonville, Georgia, where she has lived & worked on the family farm and with her family’s support as she has developed her skills as a Clay Artist. Home schooled was a great advantage for her, as her Mother truly encouraged her creativity!

Kemberley has been a wonderful addition to The Wiregrass Artists Guild since 2002. Along with her Mother, Gloria and her sister Brittni, we could not ask for more interested and committed members! Of course we can’t leave out Kemberley’s Father, Thomas, who builds display cabinets and supports his daughter in any way he can – seeing the joy it brings her is a gift to him and an encouragement of what his family is all about – love for one another!

Kemberley’s specialty pieces, beads & vessels, are the focal points around which necklaces and earrings are designed. Kemberley likes to experiment with color and then combine it with intricate carving to create a very unique surface on her pieces. Whether she is making jewelry, kaleidoscopes, miniature sculptures like tea sets that are about one inch tall or a favorite like a dragon wrapped around a vessel that only measures 1inch x 2 inches, she gives the finished pieces an amazing balance!

Kemberley uses clay, paints & glazes and fires her own work. She has experimented with glass and metallic glazes to enhance her pieces.

She takes commissioned orders, but truly likes to create from her soul and then have people see it and appreciate it as what it is – an extension of her!

Kemberley’s love for jewelry began early in her life, as her interest grew, so did the expense! Her Mom gave her a kiln, 50lbs of clay and paints for her 18th Birthday and said, “Now make your own beads!” So she did!

As of 2002, Kemberley has seriously designed and created original one of a kind specialty beads, vessels, & inlaid pieces that are then custom designed as jewelry pieces for her clients. Like any Artist, she enjoys the challenge of experimenting with other media and recently glass has caught her eye, look for future results! She admits that clay is her first choice, loving the feel and the creative freedom it affords her, but her extensive design work covers a wide range of styles and mediums. She incorporates many materials including beads, fabric, paper, glass and wood into her clay projects. She also designs patterns for cloths and soft sculpted projects, which are then hand sewn and beaded.

Kaleidoscopes are fascinating and fun to look through, though Kemberley’s hand carved and painted clay Kaleidoscopes may keep you from actually “looking through”, because you will be so busy “looking at” them!!!

As a The Wiregrass Member, Kemberley is actively involved as a volunteer and Instructor in Art Programs for the Schools, the Parks & Recreation, and City wide events like The Wiregrass Art Festival. Kemberley has shown her work in Juried shows as well as Art Festivals, winning 5 ribbons in The Fine Arts Division at The Perry National Fair in 2006 and recognition at The Mossy Creek Barnyard Festival in Perry.

Kemberley has chosen 2 new shows for 2008, one in North Carolina on the campus of The Western Carolina University, The Cullowhee Mountain Artisans Fine Art & Crafts Show and one in Jackson County South Carolina, The Potters on Gaffney’s Old Field Show & Sale.

Kemberley’s art has been purchased or gifted to many across the southern states of Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia and also in the state of Colorado and in England.

“Along with a natural gift from The Master Artist of all time & guidance from my Mother, I am self taught. I thank God for giving me this wonderful talent and my parents for supporting, encouraging and believing in my dreams. I am having so much fun, that sometimes I can barely stand it!” Kemberley Lee Ann Giddens.

Working with Kemberley has been a delight for me and the other Wiregrass Members! She brings a fresh excitement to our group of Artists and Art Supporters. We meet each first Tuesday night at The Art Center and want to invite you to join us, if you wish to help grow the arts in Coffee County and believe in our motto – “Art is for everyone.”

Of course Kemberley will be at The Children’s Art Festival on Saturday March 1st at Central Square Gym A, 9am-4pm. She will be demonstrating and showing her work. There will be lots of hands on art and art demonstrations by Wiregrass Artists. The Student Art Show will be on exhibit with over 400 pieces of work from PreK through 12th grades! Everything is free!

The Featured Artist Show and Reception will be held at The Art Center on Monday March 3rd at 7pm. Everyone is invited to see some awesome art and meet the Artist, Kemberley Giddens!

Submitted By

Connie Cation
Special Program Coordinator
Douglas Coffee County Parks & Recreation

This piece was commissioned by Mary Osborne of Coffee Co. It was her childhood home. It is located in New Berlin, Illinois. This piece is handmade of fired clay. Below are the pictures I used to make the clay replica. Some parts were changed to look as the house did when Mary lived in it. You can also click on more and see each side of this 3-D sculpture.

Email Contact: southernscenes at hotmail dot com – Telephone:912-384-3063

This is a replica of the Vassy homeplace in Gaffney,South Carolina. Dave and Becky Vassy bought the home and restored it. Dave’s great-grandfather bought the home in 1898. After the restoration they wanted a replica of it as it was originally. Here also are pictures that I used to reproduce it. I use all kinds of old photographs that the customer can find. Also the Vassy’s drew out the floor plan and put numbers on the photo’s that corresponded with detailed instructions on how to do that part of the house. Also click on more and you can see the different sides of the sculpture. I also have pictures of it while it was still wet clay and I was building it.

Email Contact: southernscenes at hotmail dot com – Telephone:912-384-3063

Hand formed clay sculpture. Sold but I can made another similar one, no two are alike. $65.00

Email Contact: kemberley21giddens at hotmail dot com

Charcoal Drawing

11×14 inch reproductions are available for $40 at Chohen’s Art and Framing, Waycross Georgia and the Artist’s Studio.

Email Contact: cgerbing at accessatc dot net

Watercolor Painting

The original has been sold but 11×14 inch reproductions are available.

Email Contact: mjzalord at mac dot com

Graphite Drawing – NFS

Email Contact: cgerbing at accessatc dot net

Original Acrylic Painting

Sold

Email Contact: cgerbing at accessatc dot net

Photograph

Available on paper or canvas 6.5″”x14″” $40, 8″”x19″” $75 at Artist’s Studio, Okefenokee Heritage Center in Waycross, Georgia and City Market in Valdosta, Georgia

Email Contact: cgerbing at accessatc dot net

Graphite Drawing – NFS

Email Contact: cgerbing at accessatc dot net