Shani Richards was born and raised in Akron, Ohio. She received a BFA in metalsmithing at the University of Akron and MFA in metal from the State University of New York, New Paltz. Afterwards Shani returned to her hometown Akron, Ohio. In 2018 she was awarded a Community Fellowship with The League of Creative Interventionists. With the year-long fellowship Shani developed a youth project called Akron’s Growing Chefs and partnered with non-profit community organization The W.O.M.B. In 2020 Shani was awarded art residency with The Akron Soul Train. Shani was one of six artists selected to be a part of The Sculpture Center 2022 Emerging Artists Solo Exhibition Series in Cleveland, Ohio. In 2023 Shani was a visiting craft fellow at SUNY New Paltz and was selected for a six month fellowship at Ann Street Gallery in Newburgh, NY. In 2024 Shani was awarded a New York Council of the Arts Grant.
http://www.shani-richards.com/