Artist Spotlight on Sidney G. Nykanen
Sidney graduated from Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts in 1956. She then attended the Arizona Museum School of Fine Arts obtaining her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1965. Sidney continued her professional artistic career working as an Environmental Art Interpreter with the National Park Service while attending additional classes at Charles County Community College in the late 1970's. Sidney has worked as a substitute art teacher with Montessori School in Camp Springs, MD and has also worked, exhibited, and taught at the Torpedo Factory Fine Arts Gallery in Alexandria, VA and Manilla Gallery in Seven Corners, VA; also exhibiting annually in Virginia Beach, VA.
After moving to the Wilmington, NC area, Sidney has exhibited her art at the New Elements Gallery, Creative Arts Gallery, and Phoenix Rising Gallery while also working as the Art Director in Landfall. Sidney continues to give private lessons in her home studio while displaying private collections all over the United States including purchases by Alan Alda and Sir Anthony Hopkins. Sidney has also exhibited artwork for the Annual Aids Benefit, Opera House Company, Thalian Hall Theatre, and Fincannon Studio.
Since 2001, Sidney has served as an activities assistant for geriatric patients in Porter's Neck, NC. She has also exhibited her art at the Racine Art Center Gallery in Wilmington, NC, and work as a portrait artist at Firebirds Pottery at The Forum in Landfall.
Sidney's intent as an art teacher is to help others tap into their own creative resources and imaginations; to show techniques and methods of expression in art form that will benefit the students' development, skills and pleasure in themselves as they learn to grow within.
Sidney and her husband Bernie have also reached out to the community providing an outlet for wishes, thoughts, hopes, and dreams. A mailbox can be found on the north end of Wrightsville Beach in which those who pass by can leave a note.
Please click on the link for more about this unique inspiration: LUMINA NEWS ARTICLE
After moving to the Wilmington, NC area, Sidney has exhibited her art at the New Elements Gallery, Creative Arts Gallery, and Phoenix Rising Gallery while also working as the Art Director in Landfall. Sidney continues to give private lessons in her home studio while displaying private collections all over the United States including purchases by Alan Alda and Sir Anthony Hopkins. Sidney has also exhibited artwork for the Annual Aids Benefit, Opera House Company, Thalian Hall Theatre, and Fincannon Studio.
Since 2001, Sidney has served as an activities assistant for geriatric patients in Porter's Neck, NC. She has also exhibited her art at the Racine Art Center Gallery in Wilmington, NC, and work as a portrait artist at Firebirds Pottery at The Forum in Landfall.
Sidney's intent as an art teacher is to help others tap into their own creative resources and imaginations; to show techniques and methods of expression in art form that will benefit the students' development, skills and pleasure in themselves as they learn to grow within.
Sidney and her husband Bernie have also reached out to the community providing an outlet for wishes, thoughts, hopes, and dreams. A mailbox can be found on the north end of Wrightsville Beach in which those who pass by can leave a note.
Please click on the link for more about this unique inspiration: LUMINA NEWS ARTICLE