16 Hands

The Blue Ridge Parkway is among the most stunningly beautiful roads in America. Nestled along this rural route in the foothills of Floyd County in Western Virginia, a cooperative of eight artists came together in about 1998 with the intention of offering each other professional and artistic support. They exhibited under the name of 16 Hands. 

Initially a group of ceramicists and woodworkers, the artists of 16 Hands have since joined together to promote each other’s work, holding semi-annual open tours for collectors and patrons to come and explore their works at each artist’s studio space. The group is currently composed of woodworker Brad Warstler, ceramic sculptor Donna Polseno, and potters Ellen Shankin, Silvie Granatelli, Richard Hensley, Josh Copus, Elisa Di Feo, and David Eichelberger. Stylistically diverse, the artists are connected by their love of nature and the value they place on well-crafted, handmade art. 

Exhibition overview from museum website