Nikki Contini

This past spring, I had the incredible experience of seeing my heart art gathered together for my solo exhibition, Illuminated Hearts: Glassworks of Healing and Hope. It is hard to fully describe what that meant to me. For years, hearts have found their way into my work again and again. They have become a language for things that are sometimes difficult to put into words: love, grief, healing, courage, resilience, forgiveness, gratitude, hope. To walk into a gallery and see so many of those...

The Heart of This Work Over the past few years, my art has led me to some of the most sacred and meaningful work I’ve ever done , creating commissioned glass pieces that hold the cremains of loved ones. These pieces, often heart-shaped but so metimes I make necklaces or panels in other shapes regardless- all are made to order with deep care and reverence. Each one carries a story. A person, a bond, a love that continues to shine. Having experienced a lot of loss in my own life, this work...

Roots of Inclusion Why Heart Art? People often ask me, “Why hearts?” The truth is, hearts began showing up in my artwork long before I consciously chose them. They emerged during a time when I was searching for connection, healing, and meaning during those early pandemic days when the world felt uncertain and my teaching paused. As I returned to my studio, what poured out of me were hearts layered, glowing, textured forms that seemed to carry both fragility and strength. From Healing to Hope...