Image MFA Mentor Education MFA, Virginia Commonwealth University BA, University of California, Davis Email Address kristensanders1210@gmail.com Website kristensanders.com Drawing/Painting In-person, Hybrid mentor (in-person and online) Biography She/herKristen Sanders is a St. Paul-based artist whose paintings explore binary ontologies between mind and body, self and object, and life and death. Rendering subjects such as prehistoric carvings, stone tools, and fragmented bodies, Sanders’ work charts the boundaries of human consciousness, finding traces of self and intention in the marks, remnants, and images we have left behind. Sanders received a BA from the University of California, Davis, and an MFA from Virginia Commonwealth University. Recent solo exhibitions include Tide/Pool at Dreamsong, Minneapolis, and Protoself at Asya Geisberg, New York. She currently teaches in the Department of Art at the University of Minnesota. Teaching PhilosophyMy favorite teaching moments happen when conversations with students feel more like two artists talking through ideas, troubleshooting materials, or sharing recommendations. I see mentorship as a reciprocal, evolving dialogue—one that respects your voice and vision as an artist while offering critical engagement and support. My goal as an artist and mentor is to guide you to dig deeper into your work, explore conceptual and formal possibilities, and cultivate sustainable studio practices.