Michelle Nonnarath enjoys the quiet time and space to make art at NIAD Art Center. She often feels inspired by fellow studio artists within the NIAD community, citing Peter Harris and Heather Hamann as artists that she enjoys working alongside.
Part of the appeal of working at NIAD for Michelle is the opportunity to try many different mediums and processes. Michelle has recently become interested in ceramics at NIAD after returning onsite from shelter in place, sharing that it is the material she would like to focus the most on in the future. She particularly enjoys making functional pottery that can be used for dining, such as cups and bowls. Working with clay is “sometimes challenging, sometimes easy,” according to Michelle.
Another material Michelle is currently exploring is acrylic painting. She enjoys mixing colors and takes inspiration from animals, especially cats. Most of Michelle’s work is drawn from her imagination rather than from direct in person observation or photographs. She sees her art as a way to uplift herself and others and regularly returns to images that make her happy like rainbows and blue skies.
Michelle is a caring community member at NIAD, often reminding others to center self care; to drink enough water, go slow and get out in the sunshine. She appreciates NIAD’s holistic approach to making art and cites Studio Facilitator mara poliak’s movement and dance facilitation as important to her practice.
// Michelle’s available work //
exhibition history
Small Wonders, organized by kg // NIAD Online Exhibition // July 2023
Into the Brightness: Artists from Creativity Explored, Creative Growth & NIAD // Oakland Museum of California // May 2023
Rainbow Cat Picnic organized by Cynthia Ona Innis // NIAD Online Exhibition // March 2023
Search Engine organized by Diego Leclery // NIAD Online Exhibition // January 2023
What’s Cookin’?! ,organized by Terri Moore // NIAD Gallery Exhibition // November 2022
Whales and Pencil Holders, organized by Emma Spertus // NIAD Annex Exhibition // September 2022
Day Or Night It Looks Like Night, organized by Liliana Herrera // NIAD Gallery Exhibition // September 2022
Living forces, organized by Fernanda Martinez // NIAD Online Exhibition // July 2022
Superbloom, organized by Erin McCluskey Wheeler // NIAD Gallery Exhibition // April 2022
Day or Night it Looks Like Night, curated by Liliana Herrera // NIAD Online Exhibition // February 2022