Who I am

Nina was born and raised on the Olympic Peninsula. Her memories revolve around her outdoor life: traipsing estuaries, digging for mussels, picking wild berries, and eagle watching. Her childhood and the culture of Coastal Washington influenced a connection with nature, which is reflected in her flora and fauna artwork. An escape to the Midwest as a child was significant for her, and the move from what seemed like a sanctuary to a cold, unforgiving place has deeply affected her art. Nina uses her personal experiences and memories to create work that grapples with ideas of death, religion, identity, and corruption. She received her BA in Three- Dimensional Art from Whitworth University in 2026.

What I do

I use art as a means to work through complex emotions and memories. While highly personal, my aim is to create work that can relate to all viewers. I usually focus on animals in my storytelling, which I use as symbolism for emotions, or placeholders for real people. My art is inspired by my own dreams and the folklore I grew up with, while my interest in botany and zoology keep my work grounded. These elements come together to create work that is representational with surreal elements. I have worked with many mediums but consider myself a ceramicist foremost. I am always looking for ways to intersect my interests, which have inspired pieces that mix beadwork with ceramics.

Experience

Education

2026 Whitworth University, BA, Three Dimensional Art.

Exhibits/Awards

2026 Mentor, Trackside Studio Ceramic Art Gallery, Spokane, WA.

2026 Off the Fridge, senior exhibition, Whitworth University.

2025 Junior Gallery Show, Whitworth University.

2021 Ctrl+P, Moscow, ID.

2021 Drawn to Conclusions Award for Visual Arts.

2021 Drawn to Conclusions, SFCC.

2021 Inkswap, SFCC.

2021 The Wire Harp Award for Visual Art.

2021 Apostrophe, Bridge Press Cellars, Spokane WA.

Publications

2021 The Wire Harp, SFCC

Art Related Experience

2026 Emerging Artist Market at Urban Art Co-op, Spokane WA.

2023 Cindy Wilson Print Exchange

2021 Cindy Wilson Print Exchange

Collections

Mariah B

Ashley W

Spokane Falls Community College 

Anonymous