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Olivia Eshe Holt (b. 1998) is a visual artist and designer from Detroit, Michigan. Her artistry spans from traditional crafting techniques in ceramics and art furniture to 3D modeling and spatial design. She earned a BFA in Product Design with a minor in Craft & Material Studies from the College for Creative Studies and currently works in Art Education and as a Freelance Designer. 

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CV





Selected Work
Crafted ObjectDigitally DesignedSpatial Installation

Hidden Star
glazed stoneware. 2026 
(working prototype)

Throughout African American culture there are historical instances of code names, secret symbols and patterns hidden in plain sight for the purpose of survival. “Follow the Drinking Gourd” is a famously known coded reference which was utilized within the Underground Railroad as a guide north to free states and Canada. The North Star remains to be a cultural symbol of freedom, hope, dreams and possibility. Hidden Star serves as a tangible reminder honoring the knowledge of our ancestors' secrets and collective resilience. A reminder to continue the journey towards a better tomorrow and better life. 

This project blurs the lines between the purely aesthetic and functional utility, investigating how meaning may shift when a form is meant for contemplation versus when it is meant for use. 



    Star Seeds
    glazed stoneware. 2025 

    During the Appalachian Forest Stewardship Residency, I took on the mission of preserving nature trails and farmlands while learning about the hidden histories of the Midwest. Ohio's landscape played a key role in the operation and effectiveness of the Underground Railroad's safe houses and secret travel routes. There are records of free Black communities, white abolitionists, and Native American settlements along the Ohio River that aided freedom seekers prior to the Emancipation Proclamation. 

    Star Seeds commemorates this geography of historical resistance, memorializing foraged finds from my time spent hiking Ohio's Appalachian Front. This installation places interpretations of seeds as symbols of resilience and possibility in a guiding constellation of iron-like stars and charms referencing the usage of celestial navigation within the Underground Railroad.

    Dairy Barn Art Center Exhibition Statement 

      Urban Development Corporation Detroit. 2025

      Residential design concepts that highlight the area’s potential to help attract local partners, creative investment, and long-term community engagement.

      My impact: concept development, 3D visualization and renders

      Tan Triptych
      glazed speckled buff clay. 2025


       

        Dust and Water
        Earthern Cement Scuplture. 2025

        Vessels built by my human hand, made of material from the earth, placed in the ecosystem of Eliza Howell Park. A quiet companions to the land serving as conduits for reconnection to nature and ourselves.





        Turquoise Gallery
        glazed speckled buff clay. 2024


         

          Marina 
          Speckled buff clay. black underglaze slip, pearl and livid lake glaze. 2024

          My sweet blue Marina
          She reflects the light and shadow.
           

            Block Forms
            Brown Terra Cotta. 2024




            Electricfy Expo
            Lexus USA. 2023

            This booths modular architecture  utilizes a simple structure providing an open space for programming with easy deployment. It features interchangeable walls and rails for custom display.

            Highlighting the next chapter of Lexus through display of campaign graphics, programmed activations and an engaging environmental application.

            My impact: modular structure design, vehicle layout, 3D visualization and renders

            T8 Market Stall Design
            Better Block. 2023

            FD23: Market Stall Design Challenge 

            3rd place Awardee: Team 8 (T8) - David Cayll, Xelaya Mendoza, Santiago Romero, and Olivia Holt

            Small business vendors play an irreplaceable role in our built environment. They create jobs and generate revenue while contributing to the overall vitality of strong cities. Communal markets have started gaining popularity and support due to their unique vendors with specialized goods. It's more important than ever that we nurture these spaces where one can immerse themselves in art and meet people from all walks of life.