Sogand Tabatabaei
Artist Bio
Sogand Tabatabaei is an Iranian-born visual artist and arts educator based in Reno, Nevada. She holds a BA in Painting from the Art University of Tehran and an MFA from the University of Nevada, Reno. Her work explores the intersection of memory and identity, drawing on personal experiences, cultural narratives, and the everyday objects that become woven into daily life. Working primarily in collage, Sogand combines drawings, textiles, and found materials to investigate the boundaries of materiality and the complex layers of meaning they carry. Her work has been exhibited in both Iran and the United States.
Curriculum Vitae
Education
2018-2021 M.F.A. in Arts, University of Nevada, Reno, US | Advisor: Miya U Hannan, M.F.A
2011-2016 B.A. in Painting, Tehran University of Art, Iran | Advisor: Dr. Homayoun Salimi
2010-2011 Diploma of Graphic Design, Shahid Modarres Conservatory, Tehran, Iran
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2024 “Stitching in Silence, Beneath the Skin” Red Mountain Gallery, Truckee Meadows Community College, Reno, Nevada, US
2024 "Blood Blooms," In Collaboration with Sierra Arts Foundation, Depot Gallery, Sparks, Nevada, US
2022 “Contrast,” In Collaboration with Capital City Arts Initiatives, Bristlecone Gallery, Western Nevada College, Carson City, Nevada
2021 “Unwoven,” SGS Gallery, Reno, Nevada, US
2019 “Woven,” SGS Gallery, Reno, Nevada, US
2017 “But Moon Has Been There,” Haft Samar Gallery, Tehran, Iran
Selected Group Exhibitions
2025 “Desert Biennial Project 2025,” Jean Dry Lakebed, Las Vegas, Nevada [UPCOMING, OCT 2025]
2024 “ArtPrize,” Grand Rapids, MI – 2024
2024 “Reassembly Required,” Juried by Jeannie Hua, Clark County Public Art, Rotunda Gallery at Clark County Government Center, Las Vegas, NV – 2024
2024 “Of The Sol,” Holland Project, Reno, NV – 2024
2023 “I’M OK, I’M NOT OK,” organized by Double Scoop, University Galleries, Student Gallery South, Reno, NV – 2022
2021 “430 Apart, 11 Together,” UNR/UNLV Exchange Show Grand Hall Gallery, Las Vegas, US
2021 “Pop-up Exhibition Curated by Vivian Zavataro,” Reno Fine Arts Collective Gallery, Reno, NV
2021 Student Art Show 2021, The Sheppard Contemporary Gallery, Reno, NV, US
2021 “American Beauty,” Depot Gallery, Sparks, NV, US
2021 “Reno Art Fundraiser” UNR Art Department, Reno, NV, US
2020 “Visions”, SGS Gallery, Reno, NV, US
2020 “Work on Paper” Exhibition, juried by Elisa Jensen, The In Art Gallery, US
2020 “SeeMe”, The Sheppard Contemporary Gallery, Reno, NV, US
2019 “Ennead”, SGS Gallery, Reno, NV, US
2019 “Between Plate and Paper”, McKinley Gallery, Reno, NV, US
2019 “Out of the Bag”, The Holand Project Gallery, Reno, NV, US
2019 “The Endless Tale”, McNamara Gallery, Reno, NV, US
2019 “College Exhibit”, Corison Gallery, Tahoe City, CA, US
2019 “Existence: Self Presence”, Whittemore Gallery, Reno, NV, US
2018 “Eclectic”, Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition, SGS Gallery, Reno, NV, US
2018 “5+3=1” Exhibition, SGS Gallery, Reno, NV, US
2017 “1st Exhibition of Visual Arts”, SABA Gallery, Tehran, Iran
2017 “Jokal National Painting Festival”, Mellat Gallery, Tehran, Iran
2017 “How”, Saye Gallery, Tehran, Iran
Professional History
2024-C Arts Learning Specialist, Nevada Arts Council, Full-Time, Nevada, US
2022-2024 Advisor, Student Publications, University of Nevada, Reno, Full-Time, US
2022 CAD Artist/ Product Designer, Loloi Rugs, Dallas, Texas, Full-Time, US
Selected Professional Experiences
2025 Grants Panelist (Judge), Arts Project Grants, Nebraska Arts Council, Nebraska, US
2025 Judge, Youth Creating Change, Hope and Justice contest, California, US
2023-C Board Member, Double Scoop Arts in Nevada, US
2023-C Arts Orgs Coordinator, annual “Scoop Fest” Art Festival in Reno, Nevada, US
2022-2024 Judge at Scholastic Art & Writing Award 2022, Northern Nevada panel, US
2022 Exhibition Curator, exchange show between the US and Georgian artists, in collaboration with Art Inception
2022 Exhibition Curator/ Show Organizer, Graduate School Alumni Association in Collaboration with Nevada Museum of Art
2020-2021 Marketing Coordinator/ Graphic Designer, Graduate Student Association, University of Nevada, Reno, NV
2020 Executive Member, Annual Student Art Show “SeeMe 2020 Exhibition,” University of Nevada, Reno, NV
2019 Gallery Assistant/Attendant, John and Geraldine Lilley Museum of Art, Reno, NV
2015-2017 Art Consultant, Navid Danesh Institute, Tehran, Iran
Teaching Experiences & Academic Positions
Instructional Designer/ Art Educator, E.L. Cord Museum School, Nevada Museum of Art, Reno, NV | 2021-C
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Introduction to Drawing: Foundations and Techniques
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Introduction To Drawing: Textile, Patterns, and Line
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Intermediate Drawing
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Abstract Painting
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Collage Workshops
Faculty, Truckee Meadows Community College, Reno, NV | 2021-C
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ART 101, Drawing I
Art Instructor, Falak Art Studio, Coppell, TX | 2021-C
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Mixed Media Class
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Advanced Drawing Class
Instructor of Record, University of Nevada, Reno, NV | 2020-2021
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ART101-Drawing I
Teaching Assistant, University of Nevada, Reno, NV | 2019-2020
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Sound and Image Class
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Drawing I Class
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Life Drawing Class
Advanced Drawing/Paining Instructor, Private Classes, Tehran, Iran | 2014-2018
Teaching Assistant in Painting Area, Tehran University of Art, Iran | 2014-2016
Memberships
International Association of Art, USA (IAA-USA)
College Art Association (CAA)
National Art Education Association (NAEA)
National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA)
Professional Recognition,
2024 Finalist, Reno Tahoe Artist Awards, 2D Mixed Media Category
2021 GSA Outstanding Artist Awards Juried by Siobhan Arnold, Reno, US
2021 First Place Award, 2021 Student Art Show Juried by Prajakti Jayavant, Reno, US
2021 The 2021 School of Arts Sticker Contest Winner, University of Nevada, Reno, US
2020 GSA Research, Travel and Materials Grant, University of Nevada, Reno, US
2020 Outstanding Graduate Student Scholarship, University of Nevada, Reno, US
2020 Emma Sepulveda Pulvirenti Scholarship, University of Nevada, Reno, US
2020 Houghton Fndn Art, University of Nevada, Reno, US
2020 Holmes Art, University of Nevada, Reno, US
2020 Second Place Winner, “SeeMe” exhibition Juried by Pantea Karimi, Reno, NV, US
2020 GSA International Student Scholarship, University of Nevada, Reno, US
2019 Honorable Mention prize, “Ignite Integrity” Contest, Reno, NV, US
2019 Presented in annual GSA Research Poster Symposium, University of Nevada, Reno
2019 Graduate Dean’s Merit Scholarship, University of Nevada, Reno, US
2019 Holmes Art, University of Nevada, Reno, US
2018 Graduate Dean’s Merit Scholarship, University of Nevada, Reno, US
2018 Graduate Teaching Assistantship-Drawing, University of Nevada, Reno, US
2018 Lucy Nieder Endowment Art Scholarship, University of Nevada, Reno, US
2016 Exceptional Talents Grant, Tehran University of Art, Iran
Artist Talks and Lectures
2021 Artist Talk, “Unwoven,” University of Nevada, Reno
2020 Artist Talk, “An Interdisciplinary Approach Towards Artistic Practice,” University of Nevada, Reno
2020 Invited Drawing Artist, “Discover the Arts” project produced by Artown
2019 Artist Talk, “CCAI Artist Talk Program” at Dayton High School, Dayton, NV
2019 Artist Talk, “Existence: Self-presence exhibition Panel Discussion” at the Wells Fargo Auditorium, MIKC, University of Nevada, Reno