About the Artist
Sandra Ackerman
Paintings from life
Artist Biography
Growing up on a farm in a small town on the bank of the Mississippi River left me with a strong connection to the woods and the water. My love of painting began as a child, painting alongside my father. I continued studying painting at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis College of Art and Design, and Eastern Michigan University. I continually study with artists I admire in classes and workshops. Now I am able to merge my connection with the landscape with my love of painting through Plein Air Painting. My paintings are an homage to the woods, water, and sky that surround and sustain us. My hope is that I can capture the essence of standing in the presence of this majestic beauty and share it through my paintings. It has been my great pleasure to share my work in many juried exhibits and Plein Air events.
Plein Air Events
Fresh Plein Air, Milford, MI 2024: First Place Award, 2025 award winner
Dexter Plein Air: 2024 Honorable Mention
Paint Grand Traverse : 2024 event
Glen Arbor Plein Air Event 2020-2025 Award winner 2022, 2023,2025
Northport Plein Air Festival 2020-2025 Award winner 2023
Paint Grand Marais Plein Air Event, MN , 2021
Bluff Strokes, Iowa 2021 (rescheduled 2022)
Red Wing MN Plein Air Festival 2021 and 2020
Dexter Plein Air Festival 2015-2023 2019 second place award painting: Tree Line
Milford Fresh Plein Air Event 2020-2023 Award winner
Juried Exhibition History
Center gallery solo show , Glen Arbor, MI 2025
Off Center , Northville Art House, Northville MI 2025
Sky Exhibit, Glen Arbor MI 2025
NOAPS online associate member online exhibit 2024, 2021
Gallery and Art Learning Center Winter Show First Place award winner 2023
Michigan Fine Arts Competition 2019 and 2020
Northville Art House small works 2018-2023 2020 award winner
Our Town Art Exhibits, Birmingham, MI 2015-2023 Honorable mention 2022, Bronze award 2018 (Plein Air Painting)
Canton Fine Arts Exhibit, Canton MI 2013-2018 Honorable Mention 2014
PAN Poetry and Art VFAA, Milford MI, 2013-2022 Grand Prize winner 2013 (plein air) Merit Awards 2017, 2020, 2021(plein air)
Views and Visions, Milford, MI 2013-2018 Award winner 2013, 2017 (plein air)
Collections
Winona State University, Winona, MN
Memberships:
Oil Painters of America Associate Member
NOAPS
AIS
Village Fine Arts Association
Glen Arbor Arts Center
Northport Art Association
