Elisabeth Nickles is a mixed media sculptor living in Philadelphia. She has produced bodies of work in bronze, glass and paper. She attended the Boston Museum School and The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art and in 2007 received an MFA from Alfred University. Her work has recently been shown at the Philadelphia Airport, Schmidt Dean Gallery and Exit Art. Her large scale commissions include pieces for Ocean Medical Center, SEPTA Arts in Transit program as well as a large wall sculpture for the offices of The Reinvestment Fund in Philadelphia.
Elisabeth can be reached via email: elisabethnickles@gmail.com
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE COMMISSIONS
2024
Dualities: Corporate Commission Washington DC.
2023
In the Creek and Forest Public Art Finalist for School without Walls at Francis Stevens School, Washington DC
2022
Auris Wall relief for Goding Elementary School, Washington, DC.
2021
Rhizomatic Plateaus 2 Installation of optically clear for glass walls in the lobby of The Reinvestment Fund, Phila. PA
2020
Garden Music Commission with TheCenter for Creative Emergent Arts for the lobby of New Courtland Senior Living. East Falls, PA
2019
Public Art Finalist for Utah State Biology Building.
Public Art Finalist Art Finalist for New Jersey State Economic Authority Taxation Building
2018
The Ocean Body Ocean Medical Center in Brick, NJ
Small Harpy Purchased by the Fellowship of The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts.
Diatomatic Public Art Finalist for Fishtown Recreation Center. Philadelphia, PA
2017
Biophelia The Philadelphia Convention Center, Philadelphia, PA. Permanent Collection Purchase
2015
Series of Small Sculptures for The Reinvestment Fund, Philadelphia, PA
2014
The Dragon CFEVA Intergenerational project with New Courtland Seniors and Masterman Students. Permanent Installation. Masterman High School, Philadelphia, PA
The Great Migration CFEVA Collaboration Artwork made with Seniors from Allegheny Senior Center. Permanent Installation, Allegheny Senior Center. Philadelphia, PA
2011
Rhizomatic Plateaus Commission for The Reinvestment Fund at 1700 Market Street, Phila, PA
Cobbs Creek Constellation SEPTA Arts in Transit: Public Art for 63rd Street & Market, Phila, PA
2009
Cat’s Cradle Outdoor bronze commission for Dr. Jan Gordon, Gladwyne, PA
2008
Bird Trees Model Making and Design for Floss Barber Fine Art and Client. Philadelphia, PA
2007
Donkey Totem Outdoor commission for Dr. Richard Tobey, Philadelphia, PA
2002
Bird Tree Collaboration with Ruby Westcoat. Commission for the atrium at 935 1st Avenue, King of Prussia, PA. Certified Green Building. 40' steel tree with bronze birds ranging from 1' to 3'.
2016
Process: Sculptural Work From Nepal, 20*20 House, Lansdowne, PA
The PAFA Foundry- 30 Years of Casting. Alumni Gallery, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Very Different Animals. Inliquid at Parke Town Place, Philadelphia, PA
2014
Cultigens: Exhibition as Artist in Residence at Winterthur. Chris White Gallery, DE
Snyderman Gallery, Philadelphia, PA- International Fiber Biennial
Traveling Exhibition: Art & Science Collaborations. Aldo Leopold Foundation/ Colorado Art Ranch
2013
Library of Life -Art in City Hall, Philadelphia, PA
UnderwaterImperfect Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Transformation Exhibit Flying Kite. Philadelphia PA
2012
Esther Klein Science Center, University City, PA Biophilia
2011
Philadelphia International Airport – Art and Exhibitions Program. Ocean Within
Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, Philadelphia, PA- Creative Correspondence
Urban Outfitters Headquarters. Philadelphia, PA. Exhibit of Bronze Sculptures
2009
Art in City Hall, Philadelphia, PA – In Your Dreams and Paperworks!
Delaware Center for Contemporary Art, Wilmington, DE – The Landscape Within Her
2007
Fosdick Nelson Gallery at Alfred University, Alfred, NY. MFA Thesis Exhibition: Esophoria
Florence Lynch Gallery, New York, NY – Alfred on 25th
2006
Exit Art, New York, NY – City Lights: NEON ART
Delaware Center for Contemporary Art, Wilmington, DE – Oink, Moo, Baa: Animals in Art
Long Beach Island Foundation, NJ – Group Exhibit
2005
Schmidt Dean Gallery, Philadelphia, PA – Group Exhibition
Seraphin Gallery, Philadelphia, PA – Group Exhibition
Washington Square, Washington, DC –Philadelphia Sculptors
2004
Schmidt/Dean Gallery, Philadelphia, PA. Recent Glass Sculpture
University of the Arts Sculpture Gallery, Philadelphia, PA. Down in the Hollow
11thAnnual International SOFA EXPO, Chicago, IL – Represented by the Liberty Museum, Phil
2003
Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia, PA. Accumulations
Priceless Works Gallery, Seattle, WA – Cast Glass Sculpture by Pilchuck’s 2003 Emerging Artists
Pilchuck Glass School, Seattle, WA – 26th Annual Auction
Collaborative Concepts, Beacon, NY – 100 x 100, Benefit Show
Muse Gallery, Philadelphia, PA – Monumental Micros, Philadelphia Sculptors
Gallery 402, NYC, NY, Townson Commons Gallery, Townson, MD – Remembering 9/11
Priceless Works Gallery, Seattle, WA – Cast Glass Sculpture by Pilchuck’s 2003 Emerging Artist in
2002
Schmidt/Dean Gallery, Philadelphia, PA. Anteverta/Postverta
Schmidt Dean Gallery, Philadelphia, PA – Group Exhibition
The Howland Cultural Center, Beacon, NY – Group Exhibition
Schmidt/Dean, Philadelphia, PA – Hooters and Peckers – Birds in Art
Yellow Bird Gallery, Newburgh, NY – Group Exhibit
2001
Marsha Child Contemporary Fine Art, Princeton, NJ – Portrait Exhibition
Woodmere Art Museum, Philadelphia, PA – 61st Annual Exhibition
Schmidt/Dean Gallery, Philadelphia, PA – Plant Life – Group Exhibition
2000
Artist's House Gallery, Philadelphia, PA. Solo /Recent Sculpture
Marsha Child Contemporary Fine Art, Princeton, NJ – Group Exhibition
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA – Annual Exhibition
1999
Artist’s House Gallery, Philadelphia, PA. Recent Paintings and Sculpture: Greek Travels
1999
Vox Populi, Philadelphia, PA – The Bird Show 99
Space 1026, "Lay of the Land"
1998
F.A.N. Gallery, Philadelphia, PA – Group Exhibition
Mercer Community College, Trenton, NJ – Figuration Reconsidered
EDUCATION
School of Art & Design, NYSCC at Alfred University
Alfred, NY 2007
Master of Fine Arts, Sculpture
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Philadelphia, PA 1999
Certificate of Fine Arts, Sculpture
School of the Museum of Fine Arts
Boston, MA 1991
Diploma of Fine Arts, Painting
TEACHING
2018-2024
Private Drawing, sculpture and Painting Instructor. Philadelphia, PA.
2016-2017
Mercer County Community College, West Windsor Township, NJ.
Adjunct Assistant Professor sabbatical replacement. Sculpture 1 & 2. Figure modeling/ Clay.
Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia, PA. Figure sculpture workshop/ fired clay.
2010-2011
Tyler School of Art, Philadelphia, PA Adjunct Faculty, 3D Foundations Craft Section (slip casting, mold making, sewing and weaving).
Philadelphia Museum of Art-Art Futures Program, Artist in Residence Neumann/ Gioretti High School. Exhibition at the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s Education Department. 2nd Place award.
Mural Arts: Workshop Artist for the Porchlight Initiative at Project Home Philadelphia, PA. Workshops in clay sculpture.
2009,2010
Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts Summer Camp. Lead teacher of Painting and Sculpture classes and weekend workshops.
2009
Oasis Arts & Education, Philadelphia, PA Sculpture/mixed media instructor for developmentally disabled adults.
2009
Pennsylvania College of Art and Design, Lancaster, PA Adjunct 3-D Faculty, Sculpture: Observation and Abstraction. Clay modeling, mold making, direct plaster, wood construction and woodshop.
2009
Delaware Center for Contemporary Art Community Artist in Residence with Big Sisters of DE: The Landscape within Her. Created workshop, exhibition and video to foster self-esteem in pre-teen girls.
Artist in Residence at Oasis Arts and Education. Self as Animal : Sculpture Project at Drawing, painting and ceramic sculpture and exhibit with disabled adults.
2008
Wellsville Creative Arts Center, Wellsville, NY
Sculpture and Drawing Instructor, Special Community Classes Designed workshop for the visually impaired; Boces Sculpture instructor for HS students, Art and Literature Workshop.
2006-2007
Alfred University, Alfred, NY
Liberal Arts Drawing Instructor, Teachers Assistant to Ron Lambert, Sophomore Mixed Media/ Paper Sculpture Judy Strahota, Sophomore Wood; Glenn Zwegherdt, Foundry and Stone
2004-2005
Tyler School of Art, Cheltenham, PA Summer Sculpture Faculty, Foundry Instructor
Moore College of Art, Philadelphia. Adjunct 3-D Faculty. Figure Sculpture and Thesis advisor
2003-2004
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Adjunct Sculpture Faculty, Sculpture, Continuing Education
2000-2005
Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia, PA – Adjunct Faculty, Sculpture /Free Tuition Program University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA – Visiting Artist and Lecturer in Sculpture
1999
Main Line Arts, Philadelphia, PA – Beginning Sculpture Instructor
Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts – Foundry Assistant for Gary Weisman
RESIDENCIES AND FELLOWSHIPS
2016
The Fellowship of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Art- Kathmandu Contemporary Arts Center/ Patan Museum Artist Residency. Two Month Resident Artist May/June 2016. Kathmandu, Nepal.
2013-2014
Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library Artist in Residence/ Exhibition. Wilmington, DE
New Courtland Artist Fellowship. Community based art making and exhibit with Philadelphia seniors and teens.
2013
Aldo & Leopold Artist in Residence at Monomoy Wilderness – A Wilderness & Science Art Collaboration through Colorado Art Ranch. http://aldoandleonardo.blogspot.com/
2012
MuraLAB and Breadboard Artist in Resident at NextFab, Philadelphia, PA
2011
Women’s Studio – Workshop Possibilities in Sculptural Papermaking, scholarship for class.
2009
Delaware Center for Contemporary Art – The Art and Community Visual Arts Residency Program
Oasis Arts & Education – Artist in Residence – Self as Animal – Sculpture Project
2004
Vermont Carving and Sculpture Center
2003
Pilchuck Glass School, Seattle, WA – Emerging Artist in Residence
Vermont Studio Center – Sculpture Fellowship
1992
Millay Colony for the Arts, Austerlitz, NY – Residency
Dorland Mountain Arts Colony, Temecula, CA – Residency
AWARDS
2015
The Haven Foundation. Crisis Grant Award
2014
The Craft Emergency Fund. Grant Award
2011
Leeway Foundation. Art and Change Grant.
Art in the Garden project with local children.
2005-2007
Alfred University - Full Fellowship and Graduate Assistantship
2009
Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, National Endowment for The Arts, Artist & Communities grant and funding for Residency at Delaware Center for Contemporary Art.
1998-2000
The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts:
Pennsylvania Governor's Award
The J. Henry Schiedt Memorial Travel Scholarship for Independent Study in Europe
The Thouran Prize for Sculpture
The Stimson Prize for Sculpture
The Cecilia Beaux Memorial Prize for Painting
The Melvin Paul and Pearl Miller Carpel Award for Drawing
The Benjamin Lanard Memorial Award for Painting
Perez and Mary Epstein Prize for Sculpture
The Arthur DeCosta Prize for Painting
The Violette De Mazia Memorial Scholarship
MEDIA EXPOSURE
NBC News. Philadelphia. Masterman Dragon Unveiling.
Aired 12:00 PM on November 12, 2014
Graham-Pye, Susanna “Art and Science Meet at Monomoy”, Cape Cod Chronicle. March 20, 2014
Art, Science and the City March 18, 2013
Library of Life March 11, 2013
Chestnut Hill Local November 2, 2012
Without Walls: Works from the muraLAB/Breadboard Residency April 27, 2012
Leeway Art Foundation Catalog 2011
Fallon, Roberta “Chicken of the Sea and Other Delicious Public Art Treats,” The Artblog- online magazine,
April 20, 2011
Fallon, Roberta “Sea and Be Seen at Philadelphia International Airport,” Philadelphia Weekly, April 20, 2011
Lu, Adrienne. “A program gets children and parents making art together,” The Philadelphia Inquirer,
March 21, 2011
Finding Found Art in Airports February 7, 2011
Donohoe, Victoria “Sculpture honors children and a doctor” The Philadelphia Inquirer. August 21, 2009
Wright, Reggie “Delaware Tonight,” interview about project and residency at DCCA. Aired on WHYY, July 2, 2009
Kelly, Paula. “The Landscape Within,” published in The News Journal, July 9, 2009
Kipp, Rachel “Creative Staying Power,” Sunday News Journal, April 5, 2009 Rosof, Libby “Materials,” Artblog online magazine, June 5, 2004
Fallon, Roberta “City of Glass,” Philadelphia Weekly. February 11. 2004
Fallon, Roberta “Glass Menagerie,” Artblog online magazine, February 12, 2004
Smetzer, Dave “Emerging Artists in Residence from Pilchuck,” Glass Talk Radio, January 20, 2004
Green, Cathy “Tree of Birds,” Preview Magazine, Summer 2003
LECTURES and WRITING
“Constructing Wilderness: Exploring the history and meaning of wilderness in American Culture”. Atwood House and Museum. Chatham, MA 2014
“Observation and Process”, Winterthur Artist in Residence Lecture. Chris White Gallery. Wilmington, DE 2014
“Aldo & Leonardo: A Wilderness Science and Art Collaboration” Monomoy Wilderness.. http://elisabethnickles.com/ - /art-science-monomoy-wilderness-area/ 2013