About the Artist - Tricia Shands
A cartographer... an IT professional… a science geek…
a geographer… a traveler… and now a working artist.
Originally from Massachusetts, Tricia lived in The Berkshires and later Essex County prior to moving south to Tidewater Virginia. Art and science have been a large part of her life. Although she has always drawn and painted she found her art took a backseat to her other loves...computers and the cartographic sciences. It’s now time to bring those parts together...
As a professional artist and a physical geographer, she sees the world as a masterpiece sculpted by immense forces. The planet's surface is a canvas, and the elements—wind, water, ice, and fire—are its brushes. Physical geography isn't just a science; it's a profound source of visual and emotional inspiration. She believes that thinking like a scientist and creating like an artist, blending observation with imagination leads to the capture of the raw power and beauty of our Earth whether in torn paper, pastels or bees wax and resin.
An article recently asked the question "Why is Art Important?". She believes art is an elemental form of communication… it can inspire emotion, make a social statement or just be enjoyed for its uniqueness or beauty. She'll continue to incorporate in her art the things that bring her joy...nature, cartography, geography, technology and science. Tricia currently works from her studios in Virginia and the Outer Banks. Work is also available through The Dare Arts Gallery, 300 Queen Elizabeth Ave. Manteo, NC
As an artist she loves to explore and experiment with new techniques and mediums. Inspired by science and technology although her art background began as realistic landscapes in pastel and oil, she has discovered a love for abstract collage and mediums like encaustics. She hopes to move to larger formats and continue to experiment with 3-d assemblage.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS ~
MidAtlantic Pastel Society, Artist Member
Southeastern Pastel Society, Artist Member of Excellence
Pastel Society of Colorado, Artist Member
International Association of Pastel Societies, Artist Member
Bay Area Book Artists, Artist Member
CURRENT EXHIBITIONS ~
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Jul 11 - Aug 29, 2026
"Expressions in Pastels" Exhibit
Charles H. Taylor Visual Arts Center
4205 Victoria Blvd, Hampton, VA 23669
https://www.hamptonarts.org/the-charles-h-taylor-visual-arts-center
Reception: July 18th - 3-5 pm
Gallery Hours: Tues-Sat 10am-6pm.
Center hours are subject to change, call (757) 727-1490 to confirm
Mon-Fri: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
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SELECT EXHIBITIONS ~
Tiny Art Big Room Dare Arts Invitational Exhibit, Dare Art Gallery, Manteo, NC, Jun 2026
29th Annual Mollie Fearing Memorial Art Show, Dare Art Gallery, Manteo, NC, May 2026
35th International Miniature Art Show, Seaside Art Gallery, Nags Head, NC, May 2026
Richmond Cedarfield Gallery Exhibit, Mid-Atlantic Pastel Society, Cedarfield, VA, Apr-Jun 2026
"My Outer Banks" Exhibit, Glenn Eure Ghost Fleet Gallery, Nags Head, NC, Apr-May 2026
"Showcasing Pastels" Exhibit, MAPs, Williamsburg Stryker Center, Williamsburg, VA, Apr-May 2026
48th Annual Frank Stick Memorial Art Show, Dare Art Gallery, Manteo, NC, Feb 2026
Grand Art Show, The Montpelier Center for Arts & Education, Montpelier, VA, 2025
“Luminosity”, 2025 Juried Virtual International Open Exhibition, Southeastern Pastel Society, 2025
"Showcasing Pastels" 8th Annual Judged Members Exhibit, MAPs, Montpelier Center for Arts, Montpelier, VA, Oct-Nov 2025
The Great Art Heist, Dare Art Gallery, Manteo, NC, Oct 2025
28th Annual Mollie Fearing Memorial Art Show, Dare Art Gallery, Manteo, NC, May 2025
34th International Miniature Art Show, Seaside Art Gallery, Nags Head, NC, May 2025
47th Annual Frank Stick Memorial Art Show, Dare Art Gallery, Manteo, NC, Feb 2025
“All About Pastel” Spring Members Juried Exhibition, Southeastern Pastel Society, Alpharetta Arts Center, GA, 2025
“Luminosity” Juried Virtual International Open Exhibition, Southeastern Pastel Society, 2024
The Great Art Heist, Dare Art Gallery, Manteo, NC, 2024
"Expressions in Pastels" 8th Annual Judged Members Exhibit, Mid-Atlantic Pastel Society, Purcell Gallery, Louisa, VA, 2024
27th Annual Mollie Fearing Memorial Art Show, Dare Art Gallery, Manteo, NC, 2024
33rd International Miniature Art Show, Seaside Art Gallery, Nags Head, NC, 2024
46th Annual Frank Stick Memorial Art Show, Dare Art Gallery, Manteo, NC, 2024
32nd International Miniature Art Show, Seaside Art Gallery, Nags Head, NC, 2023