Greggory Schaffer, a South Carolina native born in 1966, is a contemporary, multi-disciplined artist who makes small sculptural book forms and carved miniatures. Greggory’s interests include visual storytelling focusing on Norse and Celtic mythology and symbols of the early Christian church. He has a deep love for the word of God, which J.R.R. Tolkien described to C.S. Lewis as the greatest myth of all because it is true (Cothran). During his research, Greggory found powerful connections between nature, God’s word, and creation in the juxtaposition of how mythology attempted to explain the natural world. Celtic iconography, both pagan and Christian, blends these themes of the beauty of nature using a Celtic and Viking stylistic art form while conceptually using mythology and nature to express theological concepts in shared iconography. These elements are woven into his artwork as Greggory explores various themes and ideas of Christian Celtic iconography.
When Greggory was a sophomore in high school, he had an opportunity to study at the Fine Arts Center in Greenville, SC, where he first learned bookbinding skills that would prove valuable. In 1993, Greggory began pursuing an undergraduate degree at Charleston Southern University. After transferring to the College of Charleston in 1994, he resumed his studies with a focus on the university's painting and printmaking curriculum. Upon graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 1998, Greggory moved to the upstate of South Carolina. Within a year, he held his first solo show at Saint George’s Episcopal Church and, over the following years, participated in various shows such as the Spartanburg Art Walk in 2017 and 2018.
Greggory married his wife, Valerie, in 1999 and started an art‐based business called Wooden Celts Creations. This business initially offered wooden croziers and high-relief wood carvings, intensifying his love of Norse and Celtic Art. Following his passion, he studied the culture, folklore, and mythology of the ancient Celts and Scandinavians. Greggory aims to develop and refine his craftsmanship and become as skilled as the craftsmen who created the Waterloo Bridge Helmet or Book of Kells. Greggory aims to encompass similar knowledge and skill of ancient artisans in the working of wood, metal, and antler using mythology and iconography of the Celtic and ancient Scandinavian cultures to express early church theological symbols and symbols of the later reformation. On the other hand, his ultimate destination is to blend (or shape) his knowledge, ideas, and influences into miniature Celtic Christian icon carvings. To continue his journey of learning and skill development, Greggory enrolled in the Jewelry and Metal Arts (JEM) program at the Academy of Art University, where he received his master’s degree in 2021 and his Master of Fine Arts in Metal Arts & Jewelry in 2024. He is currently pursuing his second Master of Fine Arts degree in sculpture.