Building a Thriving Future

As an educator, leading from both the office and the studio, Sarah has worked at the Cranbrook Academy of Art, the Rhode Island School of Design, the State University of New York at New Paltz and the Oregon College of Art and Craft. She has lectured widely, regularly serves as a guest critic to studio programs, and has organized exhibitions on contemporary craft and design in the US and abroad. In 2005, Sarah was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to the Netherlands to research Dutch contemporary applied art. Sarah volunteers regularly and serves on the Boards of Art Jewelry Forum and The Furniture Society.

In addition to her work in education, Sarah has maintained a studio practice rooted in craft. Trained in metalsmithing and jewelry, her work has ranged from woodworking to weaving to printmaking—always with a focus on the meanings inherent to objects and materials. Her artwork has been included in exhibitions nationally and internationally, including the Museum of Art and Design in New York, the National Ornamental Metal Museum in Memphis, and The Society of Arts and Crafts in Boston.

Born and raised in Ohio, Sarah received a BA from Smith College, a Certificate in Metalsmithing from the Oregon College of Art & Craft, and holds an MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art.

View Sarah’s full biography here.

Colleen Walsh Powell joined the NBSS development team in 2019, excited to connect donors with the impact of their support in our students’ lives, and the preservation and appreciation of craft and trade traditions. With more than 15 years of development experience working at institutions including Boston University, The Winsor School, and Emerson College, Colleen has worked on transformative fundraising campaigns in a variety of capacities—from annual and major giving, to events and alumni relations.

Colleen has a BA in English and philosophy from Santa Clara University, and a MA in Arts Administration from Boston University. Californian by birth, but a New Englander by nature, Colleen lives in Pepperell, MA with her husband and twin sons, where they enjoy tending apple trees, cross country skiing, hiking, and gardening.

Annie has over a decade of nonprofit experience and has enthusiastically contributed to the fundraising and development efforts of several organizations including Boston Arts Academy Foundation, Boston CASA, Apprentice Learning, and Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester. She has worked with organizations of different sizes and varying needs, and enjoys collaborating with other passionate individuals to create impact. Prior to fundraising and development, Annie led school programming for Historic New England and the Concord Museum. She received her B.A. in Historic Preservation and Community Planning from College of Charleston and her M.D.S. in Historic Preservation from Boston Architectural College. Native to the Greater Boston Area, Annie lives south of the city with her husband, Andrew, a Preservation Carpentry grad from 2013, and two young children.

Nicki has been with the School since 2019, and has 5 years of experience in Development. Nicki has a BA in American Studies with a concentration in Museum Studies from Smith College. Prior to joining the Development team at NBSS, Nicki worked in public relations, research, and fundraising roles at museums including the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, the Smith College Museum of Art, and Historic Newton. At NBSS, Nicki maintains the donor database, creating a strong foundation for all of the fundraising success at the School.