Moving Stones

Born and raised in Salinas, California, Holley Southworth has been immersed in the world of ceramics for over 35 years. Her journey began in high school, where her passion for clay was first ignited. She further honed her craft through extensive coursework at Hartnell College, delving deeply into all aspects of ceramics.

Holley’s dedication to the arts earned her the prestigious Boronda Art Scholarship, allowing her to travel to Argentina for two weeks. This transformative experience exposed her to a wide range of artistic expressions, enriching her creative perspective. Her hands-on approach to art extended into her professional life, where she worked as a sink tiler at a factory and later apprenticed under a fused glass artist, gaining a comprehensive understanding of diverse artistic processes.

Collaboration has also played a key role in Holley’s career. She partnered with a tile artist and a sign company to create custom signage for a relative of the Wrigley family on Catalina Island, a project featured in Sinecraft magazine. Holley has also contributed her expertise as a ceramics lab technician at Hartnell College and as the mosaic department supervisor at a tile factory.

Holley's artistic practice is rooted in hand-building techniques such as coiling, using slump molds, and creating sculptural forms. She incorporates self-made stamps and found objects into her work, blending textures and glaze applications to achieve unique and dynamic effects. Her pieces reflect a deep exploration of form and surface, continuously pushing the boundaries of her creativity.

Today, Holley Southworth remains deeply connected to her craft, evolving her ideas and techniques while inspiring others in the ceramics community. Her work is a testament to the enduring beauty and versatility of clay.

The more the merrier.