Grace Nickel

Grace Nickel is a Professor at the School of Art, University of Manitoba, where she has established herself as a leading ceramic artist and educator. Her work bridges traditional ceramic techniques with innovative digital technologies, creating a unique artistic voice that has earned international recognition.

Nickel received her BFA from the University of Manitoba and MFA from NSCAD University. In her teaching practice, she emphasizes rigorous observation, research, skill-building, conceptual development, and cultivating a strong work ethic. She has mentored numerous students in ceramics and sculpture, guiding them through both technical mastery and conceptual exploration.

Her artistic practice centers on sculptural ceramics and installation, investigating how material, process, and scale impart meaning to form. Nickel approaches sculpture as a commemorative act, using ceramic forms to memorialize three-dimensional life forms and their transformations. Much of her work explores trees and their life cycles as metaphors for human existence, with recent projects like the Local Clay initiative demonstrating her commitment to sustainable practices in ceramics education. Her collaborations with digital technician Michael Zajac have resulted in groundbreaking work that merges physical ceramic forms with digital imaging, 3D printing, and photogrammetry.

Nickel's work demonstrates a consistent trajectory toward integrating traditional ceramic techniques with digital technologies. Her recent projects explore themes of memorialization, environmental concerns, and cultural heritage, with works like Commemorative Cameos drawing on her Anabaptist cultural roots through the lens of Haban ceramics tradition.

• Mino International Ceramics Competition (Japan)
• Taiwan Ceramic Biennale
• Judith Ryan Award 2020 from the Manitoba Craft Council
• Governor General's Saidye Bronfman Award (2023)
• Inaugural Robert and Meridel Archambeau Award of Distinction (2025)
• SSHRC Insight Grant (2024)

Professor Nickel has led significant research projects including the Local Clay initiative, which explores sustainable practices in ceramics education using Manitoba clay sources. Her 2024 SSHRC Insight Grant supports further exploration of ceramic traditions and innovations. She has completed numerous artist residencies, including at the Pottery Workshop in Jingdezhen, China, and the Banff Centre for the Arts, and has presented lectures internationally. Her collaborative work with Michael Zajac represents an ongoing dialogue between traditional ceramic practice and digital technology.

Nickel's studio practice involves close collaboration with digital technician Michael Zajac, forming a creative team that bridges traditional ceramic techniques with cutting-edge digital technologies. She has also been instrumental in the Manitoba-Szeged Partnership, contributing to collaborative academic projects between the University of Manitoba and the University of Szeged that explore artistic and cultural connections.