Shana Harper

I am a phenomenal artist who works primarily in printmaking, ceramics, textiles and drawing.

In my drawings I like to work with holes or gaps, especially in my nature scenes. Sometimes that’s me, sometimes I’m in a hole trying to get out of it and a lot of my art is about my feelings. When I work in the studio I like to stay in one spot so I can focus.

I like to draw variations of an image; a flower, a leaf. I like to repeat an image; that’s why stencils and printmaking interest me. I like to work an image until it’s perfected. I also like to challenge myself. Learning printmaking was a challenge over the last decade.

In my ceramics I have made several pie sculptures since food is about memory to me. I made an apple pie sculpture to remember a loved one who has passed away. Working with clay I like the feel of it, I like smoothing it out, I like perfecting it.

I want my art to expand into the world. I want to make useful things like napkins and pots. Things that people use and wear everyday. I want you to know that being an artist is the best feeling in the world.

 // Shana’s available work //


exhibition history

Into the Brightness: Artists from Creativity Explored, Creative Growth & NIAD // Oakland Museum of California // May 2023

The Shape We’re in Feels Like the Colors of Hope, organized by Cynthia Branvall // NIAD Online Exhibition // May 2023

Art of the African Diaspora 2023 Satellite Exhibition // Warehouse 416, Oakland // February 2023

Subtle Sweetness organized by Jamie Walsh // NIAD Online Exhibition // January 2023

I Dreamt the Sun Was in My Bed Organized By SF State University’s Fall 2022 Exhibition Design Class // NIAD Online Exhibition // December 2022

Making in Color organized by Edwige Charlot // NIAD Online Exhibition // November 2022

Feeling Language, organized by Kate Laster // NIAD Gallery Exhibition // October 2022

Shifting Terrains // Mills College Art Museum, Oakland // September 2022

With You In Mind/Contigo En Mente, organized by Saïf Azzuz // NIAD Gallery Exhibition // August 2022

A New Geometry, organized by e bond // NIAD Online Exhibition // July 2022

The Art of Disability Culture // Ruth’s Table, San Francisco // February – May 2022

WIN WIN 10 Silent Auction Preview Exhibition // NIAD Gallery Exhibition // February 2022

Murmuration, organized by Alisa Golden // NIAD Online Exhibition // January 2022

Future History: The Katz Legacy // Christie’s Auction House, San Francisco // December 2021

Small Press Book Bazaar // SFMOMA // December 2021

Holiday Gift Guide #5, organized by Dawline-Jane Oni-Eseleh // NIAD Online Exhibition // December 2021

A Year Through the Windows // A Retrospective of NIAD’s 2021 Windows Exhibitions // December 2021

Con Los Animales Estamos Conectados, organized by Christo Oropeza // NIAD Windows Exhibition // November 2021

Closing Of The Year // curated by Jean McElvane NIAD Windows 2020

Necesito Más Flores// curated by Maria Radilla NIAD Windows 2020

Be Heard. Speak Up. // organized by Fenwick & West NIAD Windows Exhibition 2020  

The Art Of Resilience: Black Artists Surviving And Thriving In The Bay Area// ACCI Gallery Berkeley 2020

Butterfly, Sugar // organized by Bonanza NIAD Art Center 2019

Redefining Contemporary Art // organized by Courtney Eldridge Depot Steamboat Springs 2019

Microcosmic // organized by Dawline-Jane Oni-Eseleh NIAD Art Center 2018

Woven, Mixed, Tied, and Attached: Fiber As Message // organized By Ramekon O’Arwisters NIAD Art Center 2018

Handbills // NIAD Art Center 2017

Spring/ Summer Exhibition // organized by Arianne Gelardin PARLOR San Francisco 2017

Souls And Scenarios // organized by Gina Borg NIAD Art Center 2016

Party Animals! // organized by Katie Johnson NIAD Art Center 2016

Moonbeams and Polka Dots // NIAD Art Center 2015

Wrapped Up In You: NIAD’s Quilts // NIAD Art Center 2015

Making Friends // organized by John Casey NIAD Art Center 2015

Yes To The Dress Pop-Up Shop // organized by Peter Gravener NIAD Art Center 2013

Where Have All The People Gone? // organized by Amy Miller Village Theatre Art Gallery Danville 2013

Undercover Geniuses // organized by Jan Moore Petaluma Art Center 2013

Mud, Honey // NIAD Art Center 2013

press

Star 82 Review Issue 10.1, edited by Alisa Golden // March 2022
The Editorial Magazine: Nurturing Independence Through Artistic Development (July 27, 2020)