Sheryl Holstein has been studying pottery with accomplished artists through the John C. Campbell Folk School since 2002. Creating work under the name Mountain Oak Pottery, she continues to expand her practice through exploration of new throwing and glazing techniques, guided by both curiosity and craftsmanship.

Living in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Sheryl works from her home studio overlooking the landscape that serves as a constant source of inspiration. Each piece is handmade, primarily wheel-thrown, carefully trimmed and decorated at the leather-hard stage, then fired twice in a kiln reaching temperatures of over 2200 degrees. Her work is designed to be both beautiful and functional – objects meant to be held, used, and lived with.

“Becoming a potter is a passion, a goal, and an extension of who I am. I hope others enjoy viewing, touching, and using my pottery as much as I have enjoyed creating it.”

Sheryl’s pottery has been featured in regional magazines and newspapers, including Appalachian Country, Art-to-Art Palette, and The Times-Courier. She has exhibited and been featured at a number of art centers and galleries, including: Perspectives, Watkinsville, GA; Fired Works, Macon, GA; Gilmer Arts and Heritage, Ellijay, GA.; Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Center, Blue Ridge, GA; East Main Gallery, Blue Ridge, GA; Macon Arts Alliance Gallery, Macon, GA; Spring Place Pottery, Cartersville, GA.; North Georgia Diamond, East Ellijay, GA; Jumping Mouse Beads, Blue Ridge, GA; MasterPiece Framers, Canton, GA and has assisted in pottery classes at John C. Campbell Folk School.

Please join us in welcoming Sheryl to The Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association’s Art Center at our opening reception on April 4th, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 7:00pm. Refreshments will be served, and the evening offers a perfect opportunity to mingle with fellow art lovers and community members in celebration of creativity and connection.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Sheryl’s Complete Honors and Awards

• Artist in Residence, Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association and Arts Center; April-May, 2026
• Second & Third Place 3D: Gilmer Arts Juried Exhibit, 2025
• Winner of Beth Coberly Vender Choice Award, Holiday Market in Jasper, 2024
• First & Third Place 3D: Gilmer Arts Juried Show, 2024
• Honorable Mention 3D: All Woman Art Exhibition, Light Space Time Art Gallery, 2023
• Third Place 3D: SAAG Autumn Member Show, 2023
• People’s Choice Award: BRMAA Off The Wall Exhibit, 2022
• Second Place 3D: Fusion Art, Artist’s Choice Art Exhibition, 2021
• Second Place 3D: Fusion Art, Black & White Exhibition, 2021
• First Place 3D: Gilmer Arts Juried Spring Show, 2020
• Second Place: SAAG National Juried Show 3D, 2019
• Second Place: Georgia Marble Festival Art Exhibition 3D, 2019
• First Place: Gilmer Arts Juried Spring Show, 2019
• Pottery Selected as an award by Georgia Council for the Arts, 2017
• Governor’s Award for the Arts & Humanities
• Second Place 3D: Georgia Marble Festival, 2018
• Honorable Mention: SAAG National Juried Show, 2018
• President’s Choice Award & Second Place: SAAG National Juried Show, 2017
• Third Place 3D: SAAG National Juried Show, 2016
• First Place 3D: SAAG National Juried Show, 2015
• People’s Choice “Best in 3D”: SAAG Celebration of Artisans Show, 2015
• Pottery Selected for Potters Council Calendar, 2015
• Second Place: SAAG National Juried Show 3D, 2014
• People’s Choice Award: 3D Off the Wall Exhibit Blue Ridge Mountain Arts, 2014
• People’s Choice “Best in 3D”: Celebration of Artisans, SAAG Juried Show, 2014
• Best of Show Second Place: SAAG National Juried Show, 2010
• First Place: Gilmer Arts & Heritage Association Regional Juried Show, 2009
• Division Winner: Gilmer County Fair, 2006
• First Place: Gilmer County Fair, 2005 & 2007
• Second Place: Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association, Arts in the Park, 2008
• Third Place: Regional Juried Art Show, Gilmer Arts and Heritage Association, 2008
• Award of Merit: Canton Festival of the Arts, 2005