Meet Nisa Sanders, Our New Studio Coordinator!
Nisa is a Texas native who recently relocated to the Bay Area. Raised in a very artistic household, she is the daughter of a Jazz musician turned videographer and an Assistant Young Artist Director at a nonprofit that provides studio art programming to the San Antonio community. Nisa has a BA in Film and Media Arts from American University in Washington D.C.
After working as a Digital Media Coordinator at a Texas, nature, science and culture museum and a manager at a pop-up exhibition in San Francisco, she knew she wanted to pursue a career in the arts that involved serving the community. In her free time, Nisa enjoys oil painting, drawing and watching films.
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Q. What do you find most inspiring about working in studio art?
When you know you have a tiny part in making someone feel good it is extremely gratifying. Working in Studio Art is a privilege, being surrounded by so much creative energy, seeing people’s artistic process evolve and so many different types of art being made all the time. Then the cherry on top is having the ability to get your hands dirty as well by taking a class or workshop!
Q. Tell us about your personal art practice? What artists and styles inspire you?
My mom is a teaching and practicing artist, so I had a blessed childhood filled with learning various art techniques and exploring mediums from her as well as from many other artists in the San Antonio community. In high school, I was introduced to oil painting by participating in a teen intensive program started by my mom and local artist, Rainey Rodriguez, and after struggling and I almost giving up I found my groove and I eventually fell in love with oil painting. I moved back to Texas after going to college in DC and picked up oil painting again by taking weekly classes with Rainy. I am inspired by vintage black glamour, social justice and inclusive feminism. I tend to make a lot of mood/inspiration boards before starting any artistic project no matter the medium I am working with at the time. Currently, I am working on a series of oil paintings and illustrations based off old Jet magazine covers.
Q. What do you like to do when you’re not at the Art Center?
A. Working on my art, reading a good book, exploring the Bay Area and watching a movie or tv show!
Q. What’s on your bucket list?
A. To start an artistic business with my mom, learn how to make neon signs and travel to as many places as possible.
Q. If you could meet one artist, living or not, who would it be and why?
A. This is a very hard question to answer because there are too many artists I would like to meet. If I had to choose I think it would be RuPaul because he uses his entire body and personality as his canvas and also uses his platform to give back, promote artistic expression and self-love.
Thanks, Nisa!
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