For Sigrid Eilertson, art has never simply been something to hang on a wall. It has been a refuge, a form of expression, a way to build community, and ultimately, a life's calling. "I've been making art since I could hold a crayon," Eilertson said.
Growing up, she struggled with anxiety and depression while also enduring bullying. Fortunately, she found an outlet at home. Her father was an artist, and he gave her access to a world filled with paints, brushes, and endless possibilities. "I often used his art materials to express myself and felt instant relief," she said. That early experience shaped everything that followed.
After earning a bachelor's degree in fine art from the College of Charleston and a master's degree in art therapy from Marylhurst University, Eilertson spent a decade working as an art therapist in a locked psychiatric unit and residential treatment program for adolescents. She later expanded her work into private practice while continuing to create her own art. Today, her impact reaches far beyond the studio.
As an Arts Specialist for Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Virginia, she introduces children across six regional clubs to hands-on creative experiences while connecting them with working artists throughout the community. She also teaches classes at The Arts Center in Orange, leads monthly art therapy workshops with refugee families through the International Rescue Committee, facilitates a weekly art therapy group for women at Central Virginia Regional Jail, and continues to find new ways to make creativity accessible. "I always knew I had a calling to help others and what a fantastic way to help one another through art," she said.
Eilertson’s artwork reflects her sense of curiosity and imagination. Bright colors, mythology, surrealism, and the natural world frequently find their way into her paintings, sculptures, block prints, and immersive installations. Visitors to IX Art Park's Looking Glass can climb into her whimsical Tree Throne or step beneath the sea in Neptune's Cove, becoming part of the artwork rather than simply observing it.
She recently completed another community project through Service Dogs of Virginia's Art Unleashed fundraiser, joining 11 other Charlottesville artists in transforming life-sized dog sculptures into works of art. Her piece, Mushrooms at Midnight, celebrates her fascination with mycology, while helping raise money for service dogs that will eventually be paired with individuals with special needs.
Her work is currently on display at C'ville Arts: A Cooperative Gallery, where she is exhibiting colorful block prints, while additional masks, watercolors, and prints are featured at The Arts Center in Orange where she has also recently painted murals on the exterior. A recent exhibition of mythical animals at Blenheim Vineyards introduced visitors to another evolving chapter of her artistic journey.
Inspiration comes from many places. Eilertson admires artists who challenged convention, particularly women whose contributions were often overlooked by history. She points to Leonora Carrington's surrealism, Hilma af Klint's groundbreaking abstract expressionism, Vanessa German's storytelling sculptures, Artemisia Gentileschi's dramatic paintings, Bisa Butler's vibrant fiber art, and Grandma Moses' remarkable late-in-life career as lasting influences.
Now, she's adding her own voice to that conversation. Whether she's helping a child discover the joy of creating, encouraging a family to process a life-changing transition through art, or inviting someone to sit inside a giant sculptural tree, the endgame is the same: using art to heal and to help people see themselves and the world around them in a different light.