Steve Belz ( He/Him )

Through abstraction, I capture the beauty and complexity of nature while addressing the tension created by our manipulation of the environment. I draw inspiration from botanical and geologic shapes, textures, and patterns, translating these organic forms into visually compelling compositions. By incorporating a range of materials and techniques, I create contrasts that evoke harmony and discord, reflecting the relationship between the natural and the constructed.

I am driven by a desire to balance conceptual ideas with a sense of form, texture, and color. Ultimately, I seek to produce work that invites reflection and is visually captivating while offering a commentary on our relationship with the natural world.

Steve Belz is an artist, educator, and sculptor whose work explores themes of contemporary society, fostering deeper connections between people and the natural world. Raised in Olympia, Washington, he developed an intense appreciation for the environment, which continues to shape his artistic practice.He earned a B.S. in Environmental Studies from The Evergreen State College before moving to a small mountain town in Colorado, where he spent over a decade working as a potter and carpenter. His passion for ceramics and education eventually led him back to academia, where he earned an M.F.A. from Kansas State University. In 2015, he returned to Washington to lead the ceramics program at Peninsula College in Port Angeles, where he serves as a full-time professor.Steve’s work has been featured in numerous exhibitions, and he remains actively engaged in presenting workshops and lectures across the country. As he looks forward to his sabbatical in the 2025–26 academic year, he plans to focus on his studio practice, travel, and cultivating new artistic, professional, and environmental connections.