We are very excited to have Nell Jefferson Fredericksen of Sugar Grove Studio as one of our jurors for the leaf&root&berry Botanical Art Exhibition. Her beautifully crafted heirloom quality jewelry and lovely pottery display her affinity for the natural world, making her a great choice for this competition.

A professional artist for more than 29 years, she holds a Masters’ degree in Zoology and has accumulated more than 40 hours at the graduate level in metals and ceramics.  She is an Artisan Center of Virginia Juried Master Artisan, and teaches metalsmithing courses for the Floyd Center for the Arts in Floyd, VA.

“The natural world and my experiences in life, the beauty and joy that I see in everything around me flows both consciously and subconsciously through all my designs.  Due to my scientific background I am fully aware of our connectedness to the natural world and the delicate balance that we endanger moment by moment.  And I am moved by our connectedness as humans and those deep relationships and experiences.”

Currently, Nell lives and works surrounded by her beloved Blue Ridge Mountains on 32 acres of wooded land in Ferrum, VA.  She is married to lifelong friend and love, Todd, and they have two intelligent and deeply caring children, Neil and Lily.