Visual Artist & Creativity Lector
Nela V. Steric
Areas of Expertise
Western European studio art techniques and art history · Student motivation · Curriculum mapping · Experienced artist · Extensive exhibition history · Resourceful and creative · Professionally trained
Visual Artist Statement
As a highly talented visual artist educated at the Academy of Art in Novi Sad, Serbia, my career reflects dedication, hard work, and passion, channeling mental, spiritual, and physical representations into my work.
I use the human body as figuration, alongside semi-realistic depictions of animals and other imagery, to create visual symbolism and universal truths.
Painting in watercolor on Yupo synthetic surfaces, I also explore assemblage sculpture combined with resin. My artistic inquiries, driven by a constant pursuit of creativity, are an integral part of my life, ensuring a lifelong commitment to evolving my craft.
Educator Statement
I have over twenty-five years of experience teaching Studio Art and Art History to students of all ages. I provide practical skills, theory, and historical context in painting, drawing, printmaking, and sculpture, leveraging my strong knowledge of Western European art techniques and art history to foster creativity.
I design and deliver art instruction for individuals and group classes, utilizing my expertise in curriculum mapping and visual art training programs, while drawing on my extensive exhibition history as a professionally trained, resourceful, and creative artist dedicated to student motivation.
Education
2009
Master of Arts in Art Education
California State University, Northridge, CA
1993
Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts
Academy of Fine Arts, Novi Sad, former Yugoslavia
1989
Technician of Graphic Design
High School of Design, Novi Sad, former Yugoslavia
—
California Clear Single Subject Teaching Credential
Mt. St. Mary's College, Los Angeles, CA
—
CLAD Certificate
University of Massachusetts Global (U-Mass Global)
Current Teaching Experience
August 2021 – Present
Visual Art Teacher
Santa Maria Joint Unified School District — Santa Maria High School, Santa Maria, CA
- Creating and implementing a UC-approved visual arts program for students grades 9–12.
- Teaching and developing curriculum of Art I (A/B) and Intermediate Drawing (A/B).
- Working with diverse student population, most of them Spanish-speaking, to foster education, personal creativity, and self-expression.
- Active participant in the VA department's weekly PLCs and the School's WASC accreditation meetings.
- Collaborating with student counselors, education specialists, college counselors, health advisors, and others for the well-being of students.
08/2003 – 07/2021
Studio Art Teacher / Visual Arts Program Director / Fine Arts Department Chairperson (2017–2019)
Chaminade College Preparatory, West Hills, CA
- Created and taught exciting and challenging art programs to inspire and educate students grades 9–12 in Studio Art, Drawing, and Design for Art Graphics.
- Worked with faculty on educational coaching, developing Visual Arts curriculum, and collaborating within and outside of the Visual Arts Program.
Previous Teaching Experience
03/1996 – Current
Private Art Tutor
Nela's Art Studio, North Hollywood, CA
Work one-on-one and in group settings offering private art tuition in all areas of studio art.
09/2002 – 05/2003
Lecturer / Instructor
Learning Tree University, Chatsworth, CA
Instructor of History of Interior Design and Decoration, Multi-Media Art, Trompe L'Oeil Technique, Mosaic, Collage, and Oil Painting. Taught adults and interior designers pursuing Professional Certification Programs at a nationally accredited university.
05/2002 – 08/2002
Art Teacher
Absolutely Art, Calabasas, CA
After-school enrichment program for public school students.
02/2001 – 05/2002
Art Teacher
The Art Den, Thousand Oaks, CA
Full-time teacher and assistant for over one hundred students, children, and adults. Used art as therapy and stress reliever.
01/1993 – 12/1996
Art Teacher — Art and Art History
Karlovacka Gimnazija (High School), former Yugoslavia
Personal Details
Born in the former Yugoslavia, present-day Rep. of Serbia. Widowed (2014), 1 Son (28). Naturalized US Citizen 2002.
Awards & Recognitions
Texas Art Supply Award — WAS-H 42nd International Watermedia Exhibition, Houston, TX (2019)
Best of Show — Thousand Oaks Art Association Juried Open Exhibition (2019)
P.O.W.E.R. (Professional Organization of Women of Excellence) Member, Recognized (2025)
Los Angeles Art Association Member (circa 2016)
Artavita 16th Online Competition — Certificate of Excellence (2015)
Published Works & Press
Exhibition History
2026
Gallery 787, "New Year, Same Person" — Pasadena, CA
2026
LAAA Exhibition "Interiority" — Los Angeles, CA
2026
North American Watercolor Society's International Exhibition (online)
2025
National Art Juried Competition — Firefly Artists Gallery, Northport, NY (Long Island)
2025
LAAA 2025 Annual Benefit Auction — Los Angeles, CA
2025
Site: Brooklyn Gallery, Online Exhibition "Material Process"
2022
Thousand Oaks Art Association Open Juried Show, T. Oaks, CA
2022
LAAA Online Show "Fresh" — Los Angeles, CA
2022
Exhibizone by Biafarin, Online Exhibition "Diversia"
2022
LAAA Online Show "Non-sequitur" — Los Angeles, CA
2021
The Hive Gallery Group Show (first in-person show of the year) — Los Angeles, CA
2021
LAAA Online All-media Show "Gild" — Los Angeles, CA
2020
Series of monthly juried online shows (COVID): "Petite Works", "Gleaming Apollo" (May); "indistinct chatter" (June); "Exalted One" (Aug); "Make Plain" (Sep); "Festoon" (Oct); "Aurora" (Nov); "Gild" (Mar 2021)
2020
LAAA Annual Benefit Auction — Los Angeles, CA
2019
Watercolor Art Society-Houston's 42nd International Watermedia Exhibition (Texas Art Supply Award) — WAS-H Gallery, Houston, TX
2019
Pikes Peak International Watermedia Exhibition — Colorado Springs, CO
2019
Thousand Oaks Art Association Open Juried Show — T. Oaks, CA
2018
Solo Exhibition — TAG Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2018
Santa Cruz Art League, "Planet Pulse" National Exhibit — Santa Cruz, CA
2018
LAAA 2018 Benefit Auction — Los Angeles, CA
2018
Bank of the Arts National Juried Exhibition
2018
Ashton Gallery @ Art on 30th, "BlackOut" National and Regional Exhibition
2017
16th Annual Juried Open Exhibition — Topanga Canyon Gallery, Topanga, CA
2017
Watercolor Art Society-Houston's 2017 International Watercolor Exhibition — WAS-H Gallery, Houston, TX
2017
NEXT Gallery National Juried Show "Next Up" — Denver, CO
2017
Brownsville Museum of Art 45th International Art Show — Brownsville, TX
2017
LAAA 2017 Benefit Auction — Los Angeles, CA
2017
Las Laguna Gallery All Media Show "Spectacular" — Laguna Beach, CA
2017
ISEA 26th Annual International Society of Experimental Artists — Sanibel, FL
2017
Pittsburgh Watercolor Society "Aqueous" 71st Annual International Exhibition — Pittsburgh, PA
2017
New Member Group Show — TAG Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2017
Viridian Artists Inc. Gallery Director's Choice Show — NYC, NY
2016
Viridian Artists Inc. Gallery 27th International Juried Exhibition — NYC, NY
2016
Figure One Gallery, Group Expo — University of Urbana-Champaign, Dept. of Art/Design Art Ed Micro Residence, IL
2016
The Hive Gallery & Studios, "Equilibrium Rites" / "Honey and Venom" / "Cosmic Union" — Los Angeles, CA
2016
47th National River Road Show — Louisiana State Archives Building, Baton Rouge, LA
2016
Art Kudos 2016 International Juried Art Competition and Exhibition (online)
2016
Seyhoun Gallery, "Unconscious Mind in Action" — Los Angeles, CA
2016
California Art League, "Spirits of the Night" — CAL's 2016 Gold Medal Exhibit, Los Angeles, CA
2016
Pirate Contemporary Art Gallery Juried National Exhibition — Denver, CO
2015
Artavita 16th Online Competition — Certificate of Excellence
2015
Annually CSUN Invitational Exhibition for Students and Teachers — Northridge, CA
2013
Thousand Oaks Art Association Membership Show — Thousand Oaks, CA
2008–2010
Artoteque.com — First International Online Exhibition Biennial
2004–2005
"The Iwano Project V" — International Group Art Project
2003
CSU Northridge Art Education Students' Group Performance "Decade of 1959–1969 in USA" — CSU Northridge, CA
2000
International Exhibition "One Hundred Sacred Visions" (the spiritual in contemporary art) — Austellung, Payerbach, Austria
1999
Member of the Chicago Windy City Artists. National Competition and Group Exhibition "Vision 99" — Zarem/Golde Art Technical Institute, Chicago, IL
1998
Member of Ventura County Art Council. Exhibition and art workshops, grand opening of the Hillcrest Center — Thousand Oaks, CA
1997
Member of Westlake Village Art Guild & Thousand Oaks Art Association. Local group exhibitions at Thousand Oaks Community Gallery (March, November, December). Solo exhibition and group exhibitions at Mayor Frank Shillo's office, Civic Arts Plaza, Thousand Oaks; Camarillo Community Bank, Westlake Village.
1996
21st Salon of Sremska Mitrovica — Lazar Vozarevic Gallery, Sr. Mitrovica, former Yugoslavia
1996
Karlovacki Salon Mladih III — The Stefaneum Palace, Sremski Karlovci, former Yugoslavia
1993
Solo Exhibition "Drawings" — Culture Center, Novi Sad, former Yugoslavia
1993
Group Exhibition "II Karlovacki Salon Mladih" — Palace Stefaneum, Sremski Karlovci, former Yugoslavia
1991–1996
Several group exhibitions — Novi Sad and Belgrade, former Yugoslavia