Nikki Sands

I love what I do. I have the pleasure of teaching middle and high school visual art at a fine arts magnet school in Columbus, Georgia, where I work with inquisitive and coachable young artists who collectively, never cease to amaze me.

With an eclectic mix of music, the trickling of a fountain and a hint of essential oils lingering in the air, I hope to set an atmosphere in my classroom where young artists can find their space to create. Within this setting, my students and I are a community of artists who support one another with constructive feedback, encouragement, guidance, and laughter. A daily goal of mine is to help students to find a path that they want explore, equip them with the resources that will help them succeed, and continue to guide them as they develop into the artists that they strive to be.

In my personal studio, I ’m currently hand-quilting an original abstract quilt. I’m also working on an oil painting of a seascape at dawn, and finishing a sculpture of an angel with clay.

A reoccurring theme in my art is the use of orbs. I often incorporate orbs into my artwork to communicate global themes and address societal challenges that affect us all as a whole. These challenges impact the American art classroom in many ways. Through my studies at The University of Georgia, I hope to address these challenges in meaningful ways.

I’ve wanted to pursue my graduate degree since finishing my B.S. in Art Education many years ago. I cannot express how proud I am to attend the University of Georgia in pursuit of a Master of Art Education.

The question isn’t “can I do it?” The question is “am I willing to do the hard work that is necessary to get it done?”
Nikki Sands