Sara Balbin

From Havana to Chicago to Milwaukee to the call of the Chequamegon National Forest wilderness, my natural surroundings have shaped my artistic journey.  

Northwest Wisconsin’s phenomenal beauty offers daily adventures and a profound sense of independence. 

The dynamic seasonal changes of my natural world are the inspiration for creative problem solving in my home-based Dragonfly Studio. 

When I first arrived in this region people lived more from the land with fishing, hunting, gardening and foraging. My association with the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (Ojibwe) came naturally due to the proximity of my first art studio in Hayward, Wisconsin. With them, I learned about the natural world, reverence for clean water, and respect for balance with Mother Earth. This journey has shaped my art.

My varied background encourages an openness to new ideas and inclusivity of diverse cultures and traditions. I am encouraged to experiment with my ideas expanding on creative concepts.

My hope is that my work inspires the viewer to reflect on their own environment and see the world in a positive way.    

As my art has evolved in public sculpture, I give credit to my supportive patrons, an appreciative community and a dedicated team who helps inspire and create along side of me.

Providing balance to the physical nature of my sculptural creations, I use art to heal as a professional art therapist with a regional clientele representing a variety of unique populations. 

In addition, in 2008, I co-founded See My Art, Inc. (www.seemyart.us ), a not-for-profit arts advocacy organization that inspires, empowers, validates and supports people with disabilities through art.

I was honored to join other outstanding Wisconsin recipients as a fellow in the Wisconsin Academy of Science, Arts and Letters in 2020. (https://www.wisconsinacademy.org/fellows)

What energizes you as you consider the future of the arts in Wisconsin?
What energizes and gives me hope for the future of the arts in Wisconsin is the growing number of art events, public sculptures, and art ambassadors throughout the state. Through the universal language of art, whether visual, literary, musical, dance, or theater, we can find understanding and acceptance. The arts are our salvation for healthy, regenerative communities that can bridge differences through the common language and love of art. 

Where can we find your work?

You can find Sara’s work at her website here: https://sarabalbin.com