Sacha - Artist Bio

This Minnesota girl received her Bachelor’s in Art with a focus in metals from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse in 2000.  Sacha worked as a bench jeweler for a few years before opening her business in 2003.  As a goldsmith she specializes in custom designs and one-of-a-kind work.  Sacha was a military spouse for 12 years; with 4 moves in those 12 years she learned to be flexible and embrace community quickly.  She's spent numerous hours working in volunteer positions and leadership roles of many kinds.  After graduating in 2015 from the Arts Leadership MFA program at Seattle University, she served as the Business and Operations Manager at Equinox Studios.  Now living mainly in the Bellingham area, Sacha consults and advocates for the physical studio needs of professional artists and serves on the board of the Bellingham Bay Outrigger Paddlers.  She and her husband Nathan, spend winters in Mankato, Minnesota with their dogs Luke, and Hannah.

I love working in metal, making it do what I want it to.  I am intrigued by lines and how a slight change in a curve can transform a piece.  The curve has been my favorite design element and some clients say it’s my signature style.  I love an immaculate polish in my work, but also enjoy incorporating more texture and contrast.  I strive to create designs that are pleasant to look at, comfortable to wear and sturdy enough to withstand the lives we lead.

I consult and advocate for the physical studio needs of professional artists.  These needs became the focus of my MFA studies at Seattle University and the topic of my capstone paper.  Here's a preview:

Generally speaking the public understands and supports the visual artists’ need for space to display and sell their work but the need for a working studio space seems to fall below the radar. 

Many artists that pursue a professional art education spend some time studying in a fine arts center; a facility housing multiple working studios in numerous disciplines. Such facilities create a sense of community, offer artists a support system, and foster creativity and collaboration. However such communities of working artists are difficult to find outside the academic setting.  

The development of a property with multiple artist studios under one roof removes artists from working in seclusion, inspires and validates a community of artists, connects them with one-another and creates engagement with the public.  It can also increase property values, ancillary spending, and tax roll contributions.

“If we value art, we must value artists. Ensuring there are appropriate, secure facilities for the long term means artists can continue to make work and contribute to a creative and vibrant city for the benefit of all” (Acme, 2006a).