Spectacle Lakes, RMNP (Photo by Jack Lafferty)
Bryce Lafferty is an artist and educator based in Jacksonville, Alabama. His watercolor drawings are represented by Momentum Gallery in Asheville, NC.
He is Professor of Drawing and Painting and Department Head of Art and Design at Jacksonville State University. Originally from Connecticut, Bryce received his MFA from the University of North Texas. He and his wife, Laura Johnson, who is a designer and writer, established Mountain Road Art and Design Studio. They share six children.
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My watercolors are expressions of my wonder for the physical world—an outlet for awe and curiosity.
They are products of both direct observation and sustained sketching from memory and offer a formal way of revisiting a place’s emergent character. Whether the focus is a stand of old-growth forest, a sandstone glade, or a corner of someone’s overgrown backyard, I find the experience that emerges within the layers of interconnected cycles and living communities marvelously interesting.
My section-cut motif references technical illustration. It reflects an impulse to understand and tell a story and reveal structure. It also acknowledges the arbitrary ways we divide the natural world. Sometimes, as with my large-scale watercolor-based installation work, I deliberately attempt to challenge perceived limits of the watercolor medium.
Bryce Lafferty
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The artwork of award-winning artist Bryce Lafferty has been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions in museums and galleries in the United States and in Japan. In Alabama his work has been featured in the Huntsville Museum of Art; the Wiregrass Museum of Art in Dothan; the Heritage Hall Museum in Talladega, the Gadsden Museum of Art; and the Comer Museum, in Sylacauga.
His extensive list of exhibitions also includes the Site:Brooklyn Gallery in New York City; the S. Tucker Cooke Gallery, University of North Carolina Asheville; the Artwell Gallery in Torrington, CT; the Slocumb Gallery, East Tennessee University in Johnson City; the Nahcotta Gallery in Portsmouth, NH; the Craighead Green Gallery and the Latino Cultural Center in Dallas; and the Japan International Watercolor Exhibition, in Niigata, Japan.
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EDUCATION
2009, MFA in Studio Art, University of North Texas
2004, BA in painting, Central Connecticut State University
CURRENT POSITION
Department Head, Department of Art + Design
Professor of Drawing and Painting
Jacksonville State University
2011 – Present
COMPETITIVE JURIED EXHIBITIONS
2023, Small Works Juried Exhibition, Five Points Gallery, Torrington, CT
2022, What on Earth is Happening, Mark Arts, Wichita, KS
2021, Landscape: Exploring the Built and Grown, Site:Brooklyn Gallery, New York City
2021, Drawing Discourse, 12th Annual Exhibition of Contemporary Drawing, S. Tucker Cooke Gallery, University of North Carolina, Asheville, NC
2020, B20: Wiregrass Biennial, Wiregrass Museum of Art, Dothan, AL
2020, Topographies, Manifest Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio
2015, Drawing Discourse, 6th Annual Exhibition of Contemporary Drawing, S. Tucker Cooke Gallery, University of North Carolina, Asheville, NC
2014, The Red Clay Survey: 2014 Exhibition of Contemporary Southern Art, Huntsville Museum of Art, Huntsville, AL
2013, Vista: Landscape in Contemporary Art, Manifest Gallery, Cincinnati, OH
2013, 55th Annual Juried Art Show, Gadsden Museum of Art, Gadsden, AL
2013, 17th Annual Juried Show, Artwell Gallery, Torrington, CT
2012, The Day on Fire: Apocalypse in Contemporary Art, Slocumb Gallery, TN
2012, Southworks, Watkinsville, GA
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2024, Bryce Lafferty, Momentum Gallery, Asheville, NC
2024, Local Poetry, Plaza Gallery, Hoover Public Library, Hoover, AL
2022, Boundarylands, Momentum Gallery, Asheville, NC
2022, Intermountain Mythology, Poole Gallery, University of Montevallo Gallery, AL
2020, Eastern Forest, Walnut Gallery, Gadsden, AL
2017, Peripheral Gardens, Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Birmingham, AL
2013, Microclimates, Arnold Gallery, Shorter University, Rome, GA
2012, On Paper, Hammond Gallery, Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, AL
2012, Open System, Heritage Hall Museum, Talladega, AL
2011, Bryce Lafferty, Brookhaven College, Dallas, TX
2009, Vicious Candied Dreaming, Visual Art League of Lewisville, Lewisville, TX
2009, Spied Ramon, Horizon Gallery, Carrolton, TX
2008, Childish, Cora Stafford Gallery, Denton, TX
2007, Allegory of a Child’s Voice, Installation at Alpha Christian Academy, Denton, TX
INVITATIONAL EXHIBITIONS
2025, The Secret Garden, Jacob Spori Art Gallery, BYU-Idaho, Rexburg, ID
2024, Conservation Through Art: Saving Alabama’s Hemlock’s, Gadsden Museum of Art, Gadsden, AL
2023, Alabama Invitational, Space One Eleven, Birmingham, AL
2023, Zion National Park Human History Museum, ZNP, UT
2022, Alabama State Council for the Arts Annual Fellowship Exhibition, Georgine Clarke Alabama Artists Gallery, Montgomery, AL
2022, Enormous Tiny Art 31, Nahcotta Gallery, Portsmouth, NH
2021, Small Works I Big Impact, Momentum Gallery, Asheville, NC
2020, Enormous Tiny Art 27, Nahcotta Gallery, Portsmouth, NH
2019, In the landscape and of the landscape, Momentum Gallery, Asheville, NC
2018, Torn, Ripped, Cut: The Art of Collage, Housatonic Museum of Art, Bridgeport, CT
2014, Walnut Gallery 2014 Invitational, Hardin Center for Cultural Arts, Gadsden, AL
2009, Japan International Watercolor Exhibition, Niigata Prefectural Civic Center, Niigata, Japan
2008, Japan International Watercolor Exhibition, Niigata Prefectural Civic Center, Niigata, Japan
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2025, Paint Rock: Drawing Knowledge from Nature, Lee & Jetta Manners Gallery, Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, AL
2022, Annual Fellowship Exhibition, Georgine Clarke Alabama Artists Gallery, Montgomery, AL
2017, McElroy, Lafferty, Oles, Catalyst Gallery, Anniston, AL
2016, Pockets of Stillness, Abernathy Art Center, Atlanta, GA
2015, Wander, Gadsden Museum of Art, Gadsden, AL
2014, Remote Topographies, Comer Museum, Sylacauga, AL
2013, Faculty Exhibition, Hammond Hall Gallery, Jacksonville, AL
2013, Artworks Spring Exhibition, Nunnally’s Gallery, Anniston, AL
2012, Faculty Exhibition, Hammond Gallery, Jacksonville, AL
2012, Plurality: Paperwork, LSC-Kingwood Art Gallery, TX
2011, Common Things, Walnut Gallery, Gadsden, AL
2011, Catherine Lan, Bryce Lafferty, Derek Leka, Washington Art Association, Washington Depot, CT
2010, Work, Brazos Gallery, Dallas, TX
2009, UNT Faculty Exhibition, University of North Texas, Denton, TX
2009, Art Track 001, Modshop Gallery, Dallas, TX
2009, New Texas Talent, Craighead Green Gallery, Dallas, TX
2009, Hecho en Dallas, Latino Cultural Center, Dallas, TX
2009, 43rd Annual Regional Juried Exhibition, Richardson Civic Art Center, Richardson, TX
2009, Expo 2009, 500x Gallery, Dallas, TX
2008, MFA/CAA, College Art Association, Denton, TX
ARTIST RESIDENCIES
2025, Island Press Artist Research Fellowship, Washington University, St. Louise, MO
2024, Great Basin National Park Artist Residency, GBNP, NV
2023, Nocefresca Artist Residency, Milis, Sardegna, Italy
2022, Zion National Park Artist in Residence, ZNP, UT
2020, Tallgrass Artist Residency, Matfield Green, Flint Hills Region, KS
2016, National Parks Service Centennial Artist-in-Residence, Glacier National Park, MT
ACADEMIC PAPERS and PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
2026, Paint Rock, Drawing Knowledge from Nature, Environmental Education Association of Alabama and Southeastern Environmental Education Alliance Conference, Gulf Shores, AL
2026, Paint Rock: Drawing Knowledge from Nature, Southern Studies Conference, Auburn University at Montgomery, Montgomery, AL
2024, Professional Practices: Residencies, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
2023, Artist Talk, Space One Eleven, Birmingham, AL
2023, Public Presentation for the Nature Artist’s Guild, Morton Arboretum, Chicago, IL
2023, Conceptual Landscape Painting Workshop, Morton Arboretum, Chicago, IL
2023, Painting Class for the Community, Milis, Sardegna, Italy
2023, Public Talk, Civic Museums of Cagliari, Sardegna, Italy
2022, Artist Talk, Watchman Campground Amphitheater, Zion National Park, UT
2020, Zoom Q&A with Bryce Lafferty, Tallgrass Artist Residency, Matfield Green, KS
2020, Juror Talk, 70th Annual Mississippi Collegiate Art Competition, Mississippi University for Women, Columbus, MS
2019, Artist Talk, Momentum Gallery, Asheville, NC
2016, Artist Presentation, Glacier National Park, MO
2012, Childish: The influence of Child Rearing on my Artist Practice, Southeastern College Art Conference, Durham, NC
BIBLIOGRAPHY
2024, Bryce Lafferty, By Lauren Stepp, Asheville Made, Sept. 4, 2024, https://ashevillemade.com/bryce-lafferty/
2024, Bryce Lafferty is Featured at Hoover Public Libraries Friends, Plaza Art Galleries, by Katherarine Armbrester, Hoover Sun, July 26, 2024, https://hooversun.com/peopleplaces/bryce-lafferty-to-be-featured-at-hoover-public-library%E2%80%99s-fri/
2023, Interviews with the artists 2023 #10 Bryce Lafferty, Nocefresca, Artist Residency in Sardegna,
2023, “I musei civici per crescere si affidano agli influencer”, Cultura, Cagliari, Italy
2022, Symphony in the Flint Hills contributing artist, Cottonwood Falls, KS
2021, “Bryce Lafferty” Artist a Day
2020, “Illustrating America’s Natural Heritage” Landmark Highlights
2020, Tallgrass Artist in Residence Reflection, https://tallgrassartistresidency.org/bryce-lafferty/
2020, B20 Artist Interview with Bryce Lafferty, wmaINSPIRED BLOG, Aug. 23
2020, ‘Eastern Forest’ Opens Thursday at Walnut Gallery, Gadsden Times, Feb. 12
2020, Jacksonville Artist’s Paintings Celebrate Alabama’s Natural Wonders, Anniston Star, March 1
2020, Three Artists View of Cathedral Caverns, Guest Blogger for Mountains and Lakes Chamber of Commerce, Jackson County, AL
2020, Cutaway Drawings in Watercolor and Guache by Bryce LaffertyI, My Modern Met
2019, Andy Smith, “The Cutaway Landscapes of Bryce Lafferty, Hi-Fructose
SELECTED AWARDS AND HONORS
2024, Paint Rock, a Heritage for the World: Alabama Artists Interpret our State's Most Remarkable Forest, Alabama State Council on the Arts Project Grant, $4,100
2022, Faculty Research Grant, Jacksonville State University, International Artist Residency, $2,934.00
2021, Alabama State Council on Arts the Fellowship Grant, $5000
2020, School of Arts and Humanities Creative Activity Award, School of Arts and Humanities, Jacksonville State University.
2019, SAH Professional Development Grant, School of Arts and Humanities, Jacksonville State University, AL
2019, Faculty Research Grant for Interpreting Alabama’s National Natural Landmarks, Jacksonville State University, AL
2017, Faculty Research Grant for Digital Drawing Technologies, Jacksonville State University, AL
2014, Faculty Research Grant for Water-mixable Oils, Jacksonville State University, AL
2013, 1st Place in Watercolor for Hanging Gardens with Balloons, Gadsden Art Association,
2013, Juror Award, Valarie Garlick, Visual Arts Manager, Real Artways - 2012, Faculty Research Grant, Jacksonville State University, AL
COLLECTIONS
Zion National Park Permanent Collection, ZNP, UT
Housatonic Museum of Art Permanent Collection, Bridgeport, CT
CURATORIAL PROJECTS
2025, Paint Rock: Drawing Knowledge from Nature, Manners Gallery, Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, AL
2020, Juror, 70th Annual Mississippi Collegiate Art Competition, Mississippi University of Women, Columbus, Mississippi.
2015, Lead Curator, Ley Lines: Connecting Media, Process, Imagery, and Concept Across Contemporary Drawing, Hammond Gallery, Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, AL - 2011 – 2017, rotating art and design exhibitions, 3-5 yearly across 3 gallery spaces.
COMMERCIAL CONTRACTS
2023, Great Minds, Grade 5 Language Arts, Extreme Settings Module Spot Illustrations, Richmond, VA
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
2026, Reviewer, Artist Fellowship Grant, Alabama State Council on the Arts (ASCA), Montgomery, AL
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