NiNi Baeckstrom grew up in Sweden in a culture where nature and silence were part of everyday life. Her family took pride in their craft skills and passed on the passion to work with one’s hands. NiNi lived in and traveled to different parts of the world until she got married and moved to Charlottesville, Virginia in 1987. She now works and teaches art in her studio at the McGuffey Art Center. NiNi currently works with cement, mosaic and bronze in different combinations. Aesthetics, craftsmanship and simplicity of form set the stage for each piece and allow the materials to interact freely. Each material has its own character, energy and language. The challenge of integrating different materials into one piece portrays the deeper issues of fragmentation and integration. Individual Instruction and Classes NiNi also teaches sculpture to children and adults in her studio at the McGuffey Art Center in Charlottesville, Virginia. Offering private as well as group instruction. As a mixed media artist NiNi likes to introduce her students to a variety of materials one class at a time.Clay, plaster, cement, wax and copper are introduced along with proper technique and tool usage for each. Students are made aware of larger concepts in art and different sculptural styles. As skills and techniques set the foundation for art making, creativity and exploration are equally important. As Robert Henri states art creations represent “sign-posts toward greater knowledge”. Enrollment for classes or individual instruction is ongoing throughout the year. Summer Art camp NiNi Baeckstrom and Ann Cheeks, a painter at McGuffey, run an intensive summer camp for children ages 7-12 (est. 2004). Located in the McGuffey Art Center, the week long camp is great fun. Children sculpt, draw and paint every day and are introduced to the work many different artists. Sign up takes place between April and June every year. For more information click here.