Decatur artist fires his way into prestigious American Craft Council Atlanta Show

When the American Craft Council (ACC) returns to the Cobb Galleria Centre for its 23^nd annual Atlanta Show, Decatur ceramicist Barry Gregg will join ranks with 240 other master craft artisans for the prestigious show.  As the largest juried event of its kind in the Southeast, the ACC Show is known as the nation’s premier marketplace for handcrafted  basketry, ceramics, fashion wearables, furniture, glass, jewelry, home decor and more.

Gregg was born and raised in Florida where his family settled in Neptune Beach.  As a child his artistic expression was limited to coloring “outside the lines” and constructing sandcastles.   In college, he became more serious about fine arts, receiving a BFA in Drawing and later an AA in Graphic Design from the Art Institute of Atlanta.  At graduation, he was awarded “Best Portfolio” by the faculty and staff of his graduating class, and landed a position at BellSouth Corporation.

Gregg plunged into a 16-year career as a freelance graphic designer before finding his true calling at a class at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center where he discovered clay. “My first experience as a handbuilder in a three-dimensional art form gave me a satisfaction of self expression that began as a slow process that eventually built into a need to create,” said Gregg.  “Although there were rules and restrictions, I would push them to the limits, eventually creating my own voice.”

His excitement for the medium grew from being a studio monitor to participant in Callanwolde’s residency program.  As he participated in the daily functions of operating the studio, his interest grew as a clay artist, instructor and, eventually, to operating his own studio, Barry Gregg Clayworks in Decatur.

When Gregg isn’t dabbling in clay, he soaks up inspiration and love from his golden retriever, Parker, who was diagnosed with bone cancer and had her leg amputated several years ago.  Parker embraced her new three-legged life so well that her life journey became an inspiration which Gregg celebrates in his art. 

Chosen through a rigorous juried process in September, Gregg looks forward to being among the top artisans in American craft.  Meet Gregg and his distinguished peers at the Show Friday, March 15 from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Saturday, March 16 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; and Sunday, March 17 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Cobb Galleria Centre. Get a sneak peek at the Preview Party March 8 from 6 – 9 p.m., with proceeds co-benefitting ACC and the Hambidge Center. To preview the show, visit craftcouncil.org/atlanta.