SIKARA SOKEL
SIKARASOKEL.COM
SIKARASOKELART@GMAIL.COM
EDUCATION
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2024 - Bachelor of Fine Arts. Studio Art Concentration in Painting/Drawing. Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, WV.
Summa Cum Laude
Dean’s List 2020-2024
McMurran Scholar 2023
2018 - Resident. West Virginia Governors School for the Arts, 3-week program Concentration: Studio Art
Marshall University, Huntington, WV.
EXHIBITIONS
2025 - All My Memories Gather Round Her, Juried Exhibit. Two/Two/Eight Gallery, Fairmont, WV. Juror: Jared Tadlock.
2025 - Being Seen, Juried Exhibit. TAG The Artist Gallery, Frederick, MD. Juror: Zoe Charlton.
2025 - Portrayed: National Juried Exhibit of Portraiture. D'Art Center, Norfolk, VA. Juror: Mark E. Miltz.
2024 - IMBUE, Group Show. Merge Artist Collective in association with Hagerfest. Hagerstown, MD.
2024 - Artists of West Virginia, Juried Exhibition. Berkeley Arts Gallery, Martinsburg, WV. Juror: Hillary White.
2024 - The Light You Cast, Thesis Exhibition. War Memorial Building, Shepherdstown, WV.
2024 - Annual Student Honors Exhibition, Juried Exhibition. Phaze 2 Gallery, Shepherd University. Juror: LieAnne Navarro.
2024 - Visual Arts Collective Showcase, Group Exhibition. Scarborough Library, Shepherd University.
2024 - Sans Merci: Volume 48 Exhibition. Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, WV.
2024 - Ode to Women, Group Exhibition. Two/Two/Eight Gallery, Fairmont, WV. Curator: Ren Sage.
2023 - First Friday, Solo Exhibition – in Association with Shepherdstown Art Magazine. The Devonshire Arms,
Shepherdstown, WV.
2023 - Sans Merci: Volume 47 Exhibition. Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, WV.
2023 - FLESH, Group Exhibition. ARTtrek Gallery Space, Shepherdstown, WV
2023 - Annual Student Honors Exhibition, Juried Exhibition. Phaze 2 Gallery, Shepherd University. Juror: Kylie Ford.
Honored Best in Show.
2023 - Sugar Swept, Group Exhibition. Sugar Whipped Cupcake Shop, Shepherdstown, WV.
2022 - Sans Merci: Volume 46 Exhibition. Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, WV.
2022 - Exploring Narrative and Color, Group Exhibition. Scarborough Library, Shepherd University.
2022 - Annual Student Honors Exhibit, Juried Exhibition. Juror: Rhonda Smith. Phaze 2 Gallery, Shepherd University.
2022 - Visual Arts Collective Showcase, Group Exhibition Storer Ballroom, Shepherd University.
PUBLICATIONS
2025 - Splashland Magazine, Winter '25 edition. "Pisces"
2024 - Create! Magazine, Issue 48. "Phosphorescence", "Afterglow"p.160-163
2024 - You're Not Seeing Things Magazine, Issue 05. "Afterglow" p. 13
2024 -Sans Merci Art and Literary Magazine, Volume 48. "Self in Pieces" p.69
2023 - You're Not Seeing Things Magazine, Fall/ Winter 2023 Edition. "Phosphorescence" p.13
2023 - Shepherdstown Art Magazine, Fall Equinox 2023 Edition. “The Watcher” p.9
2023 - Sans Merci Art and Literary Magazine, Volume 47. “Maddie” p.32
2023 - Shepherdstown Art Magazine, Summer Solstice 2023 Edition. “Mirrorball” p.13
2023 -Shepherdstown Art Magazine, Spring Equinox 2023 Edition. “Flicker” p.19, “Phosphorescence” p.20
2022 - Sans Merci Art and Literary Magazine, Volume 46. "Scout" p.25
CLIENT WORK
2025 - St. Patricks Chalkboard Mural. Ortega's Taco Shop, Charles Town, WV.
2024 - Meadow Branch Farm Mural. Commissioned by Julie Gaver. Meyersville, MD.
2024 - Commissioned Painting. Painting for Shenandoah Sokel's private collection.
2024 - West Virginia Festival Chalkboard Mural. Ortega's Taco Shop, Charles Town, WV.
2023 - Tabler Farm Mural Project. Worked with small team to complete murals over seven buildings at Tabler farms,
Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, WV.
2023 - Commissioned Painting. Painting for Aileen Laing's private collection.
2023 - Fish Bait. Painting for Dani Armstrong's private collection.
2021 - Children of the Veil. Concept and Storyboarding for pilot production and show treatment, Children of the Veil.
Curator: Korinne Myers.
2018 - Wings of Inspiration Mural. Public Mural commissioned by Jefferson County Community Ministries with Katie
Nolan. Charles Town, WV.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2024 - Art Market Redux. Evolve Gallery Space. Shepherdstown, WV.
2024 - West Virginia Governor's School for the Arts - Resident Assistant.
West Virginia Wesleyan College, Buckhannon, WV (2024 Season)
Marshall University, Huntington, WV (2023 Season)
Assisted with organization and operation of three-week intensive program. Planned, coordinated, and executed activities while guiding students in personal and artistic growth and daily living skills.
2024 - Studio Assistant (2022-2024). Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, WV.
Assist Professors during classes, give students feedback and help with demos. Maintain, clean, and organize studio spaces. Monitor studio during evenings and weekends.
2023 - Shepherdstown Art Market. Evolve Gallery Space. Shepherdstown, WV.
2023 - Set Design Picasso at Au Lapin Agile. Lead set designer for the Shepherd University Department of Contemporary Art and Theatre production of Picasso at Au Lapin Agile.
MEMBERSHIPS
2024 - Merge Artist Collective, member (2024-Present)
2024 - Tamarack Foundation for the Arts WV Creative Network, member (2024-Present)
2024 - Visual Arts Collective. Shepherd University, WV. (2021-2024)
Social Media Coordinator - 2022 - 2024
Treasurer - 2021-2023
2024 - Sans Merci Magazine, Art Editor. Shepherd University, WV (2022-2024)
HONORS
2024 - Honorable Mention, Juried Artists of West Virginia Exhibition. Berkeley Arts Center, Martinsburg, WV.
2023 - McMurran Scholar. Academic Award, Shepherd University, WV.
2023 - Rauch Arts Award and Scholarship. Shepherd University Department of Contemporary Art and Theatre.
2023 - Best in Show, Annual Student Honors Exhibit. Phaze 2 Gallery, Shepherd University, WV.
PROFICIENCIES
Direct painting process in oil, acrylic, and airbrushing
Elementary welding and woodworking skills
Cyanotype Printing
Nikon D60 DSLR
Microsoft Suite
Final Cut Pro 10.5
Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop 2022