Sandy Kessler Kaminski

Professional Summary

Accomplished visual artist and arts educator with over 20 years of experience managing large-scale public art installations, community-driven projects, and multidisciplinary commissions. Deeply engaged in Pittsburgh’s cultural landscape since the early 2000s, with a track record of program development, grant-funded initiatives, and collaborative partnerships with nonprofits, schools, and municipal entities. Passionate advocate for Trust-Based Philanthropy and equitable access to arts funding.

Her artwork has been featured in solo exhibitions at BE Galleries and Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, and in group exhibitions at Erie Museum of Art, Holt Russell Gallery at Baker University, KS, 55th Annual National Drawing and Small Sculpture Show, Del Mar College, Corpus Christi, TX , Art of the State exhibition in Harrisburg, and the Three Rivers Arts Festival.

Sandy’s work can be found in the collections of the United States Department of the Interior, Carnegie Mellon University, Ohio State University, Austin Peay State University TN, PPG Arena, UPMC, Community College of Allegheny County, Dick Blick Art Supply LLC, Del Monte, Citizen’s Bank, The Public Employees Retirement System for the State of Ohio, to name a few.

Core Competencies

• Community-Engaged Public Art
• Grant Fundraising & Philanthropic Relations
• Project Oversight & Production Management
• Cross-Disciplinary Art Practices
• Visual Arts Instruction (K–12, Adult, Digital Tools)
• Cultural Humility & Stakeholder Collaboration
• Budgeting, Financial Management, and Vendor Oversight
• Verbal/Written Communication for Outreach & Reporting

Relevant Experience

Independent Artist & Project Manager — Self-employed
Pittsburgh, PA | 2000 – Present

- Produced and managed over 20+ large-scale public art installations in Pittsburgh and nationally.
- Spearheaded major collaborative projects including “LISTEN! The Northside Girls Have Something to Say”, ”LEGACY ” and “URBAN”.
- Led curriculum and community arts engagement at The Pittsburgh Project for 15 years.
- Oversaw budgets, raised capital, wrote grant proposals, coordinated with municipalities and nonprofits.
- Secured foundational support for multiple projects from organizations such as The Sprout Fund, Children’s Museum Pittsburgh and Rivers of Steel.

Visual Arts Instructor — The Pittsburgh Project, Private tutoring
Pittsburgh, PA | 2008 – Present

- Developed and taught multi-generational arts programming connecting students with neighborhood history.
- Mentored students on creative practice, digital tools, and portfolio preparation.

Production Artist & Studio Foreman — Various Studios & Agencies
U.S. Locations | 1990s–2000s

- Led fabrication teams producing murals, sculpture, and set design elements for national retail clients.
- Managed budgets, schedules, and creative direction on tight commercial deadlines.
- Supervised production at a ceramic shop executing orders for installations like the Luxor Hotel, Las Vegas.

Select Projects & Community Engagement

- Temporary artwork Urban, Bakery Square, Pittsburgh, Pa (2023-2025)

- UPMC Shadyside: Community, Caring & Conversations Through Time (2024)

- Snapshots of Perry Hilltop, Pittsburgh, PA (2024)
- Carrie Furnace Alloy Residency (2021) Legacy

- Time Travelers, a mural on the Elizabeth Street Bridge made in collaboration with artist Edith Abeyta, Pittsburgh, Pa. (2019)

- Public artwork Corner of Hope, Pittsburgh, Pa. (2017)

- “Welcome to the Strip” Mural (2004)
- Steps We Take – Community liaison for BikePGH and Fineview Citizens Council

Professional Development & Collaboration

- Collaborator with Anne Lewis (Duolingo Mural) and Lori Hepner (light art projects)
- Ghost painter for institutional commissions (Warhol, Carnegie, Children’s Museum)
- Residencies: Shenandoah National Park, Walnut Capital, Rivers of Steel, Hazelwood
- Panelist for regional arts funding and selection committees

Education & Technical Proficiency

Summa Cum Laude Columbus College of Art and Design

- Billboard illustration
- Software: Adobe Creative Suite, Procreate, CAD-based design tools
- Hardware: Microprocessor programming (Circuitscapes), traditional media

- Apprenticeships in wood working, blacksmithing and copper smithing