Oliver Lewis grew up on a small farm where his family ran a construction business. As a child, he operated heavy machinery and developed a lifelong interest in mechanical systems. After high school, he studied chemical engineering and considered medicine but ultimately pursued a career in the arts. His first exhibition, Drawn: Crossing the Line, was shown at the McColl Center for Visual Art, which later invited him to be an Artist-in-Residence. From then on, science, robotics, and community engagement became central to his artistic practice.
Lewis’s first community project was with Levine Children’s Hospital, where he created an accessible art activity using pigmented bubble-blowing solutions that captured colorful patterns on paper. The project served both as therapy and fundraising support for the hospital.
Today, Lewis blends engineering with public art. His installation Star Talk uses the Sun’s movement to cast shadow-based messages on the ground that change every ten minutes throughout the day. He’s also developing two large-scale kaleidoscope sculptures and expanding sustainable practices through a Knight Foundation grant to build a 3D printer that recycles plastic. In 2023, he was commissioned to create a permanent sculpture for Park Road Park in Charlotte, NC.
In the past year, Lewis has forged partnerships that elevate both community voices and environmental awareness. He continues to lead by example, showing how art and science together can address real-world challenges with creativity and compassion.