Biography

Maya Sophie Stansbury is a Polish-American ceramicist based in Asheville, North Carolina. She earned her bachelor of fine arts degree with a minor in biology from the University of North Carolina at Asheville, where she developed a distinctive artistic practice blending her love for the natural world with intricately adorned ceramics.

Her journey of self-discovery led her from her European roots to the Appalachian Mountains, where she finds inspiration in both her Polish heritage and the diverse ecosystems around her. In her art, Stansbury pays homage to traditional naturalist folk art while celebrating the biodiversity of her mountainous home.

Ceramics serve as her chosen medium, allowing her to create vibrant, multi-dimensional artworks that integrate techniques from drawing, painting, and sculpture. She describes her work as a fusion of her deepest passions, evident in recent projects such as “The Art of Conservation,” where she uses her art as a platform for environmental advocacy. Through her intricate ceramics, Stansbury invites viewers to contemplate the beauty of our world and consider the urgent need for its preservation.