Background
Wesley Hickson is an Atlanta-born artist and creative professional based in the DMV area. She holds a B.A. in Studio Art from Claflin University and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Nonprofit Management at Antioch University.
Currently, she works within the arts nonprofit sector, contributing to administration, gallery presentation, public art initiatives, and community engagement efforts.
Wesley is a creative, community-centered storyteller whose work blends imagination, communication, organization, and human connection that positions her at the intersection of arts, culture, design, nonprofit leadership, and experience creation.
While self-described as an “artist in hiding,” her work explores themes of identity, mental health, self-discovery, and education informed by her personal experiences. Her early works have been published and exhibited, and she is currently developing a creative platform as she desires to re-enter the world of graphic design and visual storytelling.
As of now, she is focused on expanding her creative portfolio while advocating for the arts, nonprofit organizations, mental wellness, and inclusive education through meaningful, people-centered work.
Education
Anticipated Graduation November 2026
Antioch University
The Master of Arts in Nonprofit Management is a graduate program focused on developing the strategic and operational skills essential for leading mission-driven organizations. Its curriculum integrates leadership, financial management, program development, and communication strategies, with core courses covering financial analysis for nonprofits, organizational leadership and governance, program planning and evaluation, human resources, marketing, and fundraising.
The program balances high-level strategic thinking with essential day-to-day management, equipping students to tackle complex issues and advance organizational goals with the learning approach being highly practical and application-oriented, featuring case studies, program design, evaluation projects, and fundraising strategy development. Emphasis is also placed on collaboration, leadership growth, and effective teamwork within diverse groups.
My academic performance has been consistently high, with most grades falling within the A to B+ range, demonstrating a firm grasp of nonprofit management principles and their practical application.
Graduated 05/2022
Claflin University
The Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art with a minor in Psychology from Claflin University offered a unique blend of intensive artistic training and insight into human behavior. As a student in the Alice Carson Tisdale Honors College, my academic journey was accelerated and deeply engaging, fostering critical thinking, original writing, leadership skills, and community engagement. The Studio Art major provided a thorough grounding in diverse areas like drawing, painting, sculpture, digital photography, graphic design, and art history. It also included requirements for advanced research, a senior project, and a public exhibition.
Complementing this, the Psychology minor built a strong foundation in subjects such as developmental, social, and abnormal psychology, sharpening my ability to comprehend audience perception and human-centered design.
Overall program prioritized both technical proficiency and conceptual growth, promoting independent work, interdisciplinary thought, and active participation in critiques and exhibitions. Being an Honors student further enhanced my analytical and research abilities through additional leadership seminars and thesis coursework. My academic performance was consistently strong, leading to a Magna Cum Laude graduation with a 3.8 GPA.
