Maggie Bandstra

Artist Statement

Maggie Clifford-Bandstra (she/her) Maggie's paintings are nature abstracted, using exaggerated scales, movement, and patterns to explore the themes of nature, healing, and human connection. Her passion is creating art, sharing her love of art, and living a creative life with others and inspiring them to do the same. As Manager of Ox-Bow House at Ox-Bow School of Art and Artist Residencies, Maggie creates opportunities for other artists. In 2014, she began curating pop-up art shows, which led to the establishment of the Lakeshore Visual Arts Collective. She is currently the president of this non-profit and serves as secretary on the executive board of the Douglas DDA. She maintains an active studio practice and has taught art at all levels, from elementary to college, as an Adjunct Professor at Hope College. She taught drawing and ceramics, and she teaches and hosts workshops at Ox-Bow. Bandstra completed her M.F.A. in Painting from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2021. She also holds a Master's in Educational Leadership from Michigan State University and a Bachelor of Science degree from Loyola University.