My name is Sofia Olexia-Daigle. I am a woman who strives for women of all backgrounds to be loved and consider themselves as a work of art.
My identity and gender are significant to me as a person.
I make art as an opportunity for self-expression. It’s a process of inquiring, examining, and digesting everyday interactions and translating those experiences into something tangible to share with the world. I have a deep appreciation for women and the environment. Much of my work centers on women's strengths and challenges as mothers, daughters, professionals, and caregivers, as well as the societal barriers they face. In my work, I include women of all backgrounds, regardless of race, body shape, or identity. As a Louisiana native, I’m inspired by the natural environment and incorporate wetlands and wildlife elements into select works.
A large body of my work is presented as ceramic doll forms with distinct characteristics and designs that describe their story. My work often explores mixing media like glass components with ceramics. I use critical thinking skills to question systemic barriers and transfer that to my work. I explore my strengths and weaknesses and talk about how my identities affect the world. I include women of other backgrounds in my work because there is a possibility that we share identities and struggles regardless of our physical characteristics.
My ultimate goal is for others to see themselves in my pieces, especially my dolls. I feel strongly connected with my audience when someone can understand and relate to my sculptures in the galleries.
Resumé
Resumé
Sofia Olexia-Daigle
solexiadaigle@gmail.com,504-655-4376, (she/they)
sofiegotart.com, Instragram: @sofiegotart, Linkedin: Sofia-Olexia-Daigle
EDUCATION
Tulane University- Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Teachin,g Learning, and Training minor, SLAM minor (2022-2026)
Dean’s list (fall and spring 2024, fall 2025)
LeaderShape Summer program in San Antonio, Texas, 2025
New Harmony High School - the school for outside learning and real-world experience
NHH Student Ambassador(2018 - 2022)
New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (2018-2022)
Awardee of the Greg Friedler in photography
EXPERIENCE
Yaya, Contracting artist, 2017-Present
Glass blowing, Ceramics, Mixed media
Just Say Yaya exhibition and sales
Auction lead manager for Just Say Yaya and raised 10k,
Student Art Leadership Council President
Event Promotions Interview on WWL News Station
Commissioned by Tulane University for a monochrome book box,
Long View Gardens, work, and presented an artwork exhibition,
Jobs for the future conference live ceramics demo
Walt Disney live ceramics demo at the reveal of Tiana's Bayou Adventure
Planned and organized a Fundraiser for the recipient, Woman with a Vision
On the Cover of St Charles Magazine, 2020, representing YAYA Arts Center.
Brass n Glass glass-blowing event, exhibition, and sales
White Linen Night Artist, Exhibition and Sales
Lakeside Mall Gowns of Giving
Fundraised 300$ for Women with a Vision nonprofit through YAYA
Youth Artist Movement (Y.A.M.), New Orleans Art Council Paid Intern, 2018 - 2022
“Four Seasons Hotel Project ”Metal Sculpture Using Salvaged Ironwork, with Rontherin Ratliff, 2021
“Unframed” Mural on Baronne St, with Bmike and New Orleans Artist Council and Helis Foundation, 2019
“Living with Water” Mural in New Orleans Hostel (artist input) with Carl Joe Williams, 2019
Digital Mural displayed at Luna Fete with Carl Joe Williams and Andrew Wade Smith, 2018
Transportation Mural with Ayo Scott (currently on display at the University of New Orleans, 2024), 2018
Internships
New Orleans Bouldering Lounge, Program Development Intern 2019~ 2020
Green Project Recycling Muralist Internship October-December 2019
Villages Potters, Internship in clay sculpture, North Carolina, July 2019
Laguna B, an internship in Glassblowing, Murano, Italy, June 2022
YAYA, glassblowing internship with Jim Vella, June 2022
Mayor’s Office summer intern with YAYA as a contracting artist, Summer 2023,2024, 2025
Exhibition
Tulane Violence Prevention Institute, Perception, The Healing Center 2024
New Orleans School of Metalsmithing spring exhibition, 2024
Tulane Violence Prevention Institute, I gotta tell you something about me,
Diboll Gallery, 2025
Tulane Sexual Violence Prevention and Response, Masked Violence Exhibit, Lavin-Bernick Center, 2025
Tulane Carroll Gallery, Undergrad Juried Show, 2025
Tulane Carroll Gallery, Twenty-first Century Salon des Refuses, 2025
SKILLS AND PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
Communication Skills:
Verbal Communication,
Visual Communication,
Listening, Writing,
Presentation and Public Speaking,
Visual Video Editing Skills
Conversational French Speaking
Tolerance of Change when being in a different environment.
Taking criticism for papers or artwork to improve oneself.
Friendliness and self-confidence.
Design sense and artistic sense
Handling social media platforms,
Social Media Skills,
Interviewing skills, able to conduct interviews as well as participate, from the New Harmony High School graduate of 2022
Website Building,
Publications
Art Submission for Geaux Girls Magazine for Winter/Fall Issue- September 2021
Featured artist, “Artist in View,” Creative Alliance of New Orleans, March 2021
Art Submission for Geaux Girls Magazine for Winter Issue-October 2020
Featured guest artist (nola.com, myneworleans.com, artistneworleans.org, etc.)
Publication Art submission in Tulane Review, 2025 issue
Volunteer
Noble Minds Institute Volunteer (how to draw) Session 2021
Noble Minds Institute Volunteer Mural Project September 2020
NORD Summer Camp, Volunteer, 2018
Supervising children from ages 4-14
Anna’s Place SEL Volunteer 2023
Markets
Dat dog on Magazine St., January 2024
Art Conscious, 6601 St Claude Ave, Arabi, LA 70032, October 2023, December 2023, December 2024
Jobs to the Future Conference, Summer 2024