Commissions

Stories created
for meaningful spaces.

Original ceramic narrative reliefs developed in conversation with churches, institutions, ministries, and private collectors.

Begin a conversation
Seen in the Wilderness, ceramic narrative relief by Nancy Harbron

A story for a particular place

A commission begins with meaning.

Some biblical stories become deeply connected to a community, a ministry, a season of life, or the purpose of a particular space. A commissioned relief offers the opportunity to give that story a physical presence—to create an original work in clay that belongs to both the narrative and the place for which it was made.

My goal is not simply to reproduce a familiar biblical scene. I work to identify the human moment within the story: the gesture, relationship, landscape, tension, or encounter that allows a viewer to enter the narrative and experience it with fresh attention.

Where the work may live

Created with its setting in mind.

Churches & Sacred Spaces

Reliefs developed around Scripture, congregational identity, worship spaces, memorials, gathering areas, and places of reflection.

Institutions & Ministries

Narrative works that express a mission, commemorate a story, or invite reflection in a shared public setting.

Private Collections

Original biblical narrative reliefs created around a passage or story of particular personal significance.

The commission process

From story to fired clay.

Each project is individual, but the process generally moves through these stages.

01

Conversation

We begin with the biblical story, the purpose of the work, its intended setting, approximate scale, and what you hope the piece will communicate.

02

Concept

I explore the narrative and develop the central moment, composition, figures, landscape, and visual emphasis of the relief.

03

Design

A proposed composition is developed for review. For architectural work, the design also considers the proportions and character of the installation space.

04

Sculpting

The approved composition is modeled and carved in clay, with attention to gesture, depth, light, and the relationship between foreground and distance.

05

Firing & Finish

The completed relief is carefully dried, fired, and finished according to the needs of the work and its setting.

06

Installation

For larger or multi-panel works, mounting and installation requirements are considered as part of the completed presentation.

The artistic approach

Not simply an illustration of Scripture.

I am especially interested in the quieter human moments within biblical narratives—the moment before an answer, the experience of being unseen, the movement from fear toward hope, or the realization that God has been present within difficult circumstances.

Relief allows those moments to unfold through light and shadow. The finished work changes subtly throughout the day as light moves across the clay, revealing faces, hands, clothing, landscape, and distance.

“I do not want simply to illustrate a Bible passage. I want to create a place where the viewer can enter it.”

Beginning a project

You do not need to have the artwork designed before contacting me.

A first conversation can begin with something as simple as a Scripture passage, a particular wall or space, or an idea your community wants to express. From there, we can explore whether narrative relief is the right form for the project.

Scope, dimensions, materials, schedule, installation needs, and budget are discussed before a commission moves forward. Because every relief is individually designed and created, pricing is developed specifically for each project.

Commission inquiries

Have a story or space in mind?

I welcome an initial conversation about the biblical passage, setting, and purpose you are considering. There is no need to have every detail determined before reaching out.

Start a conversation
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