Sandra Hawkins is an acclaimed multimedia artist based in Ottawa Canada. Her paintings, photography, videos and installations resonate the dynamic impacts of climate change on place identity.

Hawkins’ artworks are included in important juried exhibitions and collections across Canada and internationally. Recognitions include many art awards throughout her professional artist career.

Inspirations are her observations of climate warming impacts while sailing and kayaking on the Ottawa River, the St. Lawrence River and in the High Arctic fjords of Spitsbergen Svalbard. In addition, Hawkins’ life-time travels and work in the Canadian central Arctic coastal communities allows her a unique perspective on climate warming impacts to melting of permafrost.

International artist-residencies with cross-cultural exchanges include the Banff Centre, Arctic Circle Arts & Sciences Expedition Svalbard, Canadian Arctic Communities, Vermont Artist Centre, Hungarian Multi Culture, and Gibralter Point Toronto.

Hawkins is author and self-publisher of two books, Sailing The Top of The World – Climate Change in the High Arctic, and The Business of Art – Visual Artists in Canada.

Teaching includes freelance workshops across Canada on the business of being a visual artist, professor at University of Ottawa Arts Administration and Carleton University Innovations in Education, Visual Arts Discourse – How We See and Identity.

Volunteer activism within the arts community includes memberships and leadership positions at all levels with Canadian Artists Representation/LeFront des artistes Canadiens (CARFAC), with artist-run centres, and many art associations including Elected Member of Society of Canadian Artists 2014 & 2023.

• Voyageur Alumni Magazine published by St. Lawrence College, spring/summer ed. 2005