Holly Hanessian is a mid-career sculptor who creates objects, site-specific installations and artist's books. Her work uses text and the book form as a way to convey meaning based on life experiences that result from both choice and chance. Hanessian's work has been exhibited nationally and internationally including the Banff Centre for the Arts, Banff, Canada, the Ningbo Museum of Art, Ningbo, China and the Yixing Ceramic Museum of Art, Yixing, China.

In addition to her studio art practice, she is an associate professor of Art at Florida State University, where she directs the ceramics program within the Art Department. As an artist and educator, she has given lectures and workshops at over 25 different colleges and universities as well as having been featured in several magazines and books including, The Ceramic Narrative by Matthias Ostermann and 500 Ceramic Sculptures by Glen Brown.