Graduate Student Spotlight | Nicole Abuhamada '22

Out of high school, I had a brief stint on TV and won the popular TV show America’s Next Top Model, which led to a modeling contract with Wilhelmina Models NYC/LA as well as a two-year spokesmodeling contract with Covergirl Cosmetics. 

Wanting to be more creative, I pivoted to a stint in acting after moving to Los Angeles, which led to various roles in film and TV. Despite my successes, including working with Stan Lee and modeling for major brands, I felt I had more to offer artistically. 

This led me back to school for art therapy at Naropa University. Yet, once again, I felt that I missed the mark, because to practice art therapy properly, I needed to be a fully realized artist myself, and I could not say that at the time.

So, after moving to the East Coast to live with my husband and start a family, I studied art at Frederick Community College, where I began to feel really inspired about my path to becoming a full-fledged artist.

During all this soul searching, I took a lot of random jobs that didn’t necessarily build my resume, like working at a used bookstore, working retail, waiting tables and working with kids, but it has all been a part of the grand design of experience.

To obtain my bachelor’s degree, I knew I wanted a school that offered both visual and literary art, which is how I ended up at Hood. Participating in Hood’s undergraduate creative writing program changed my life. 

I felt that Hood was the best choice for me when I was comparing master’s programs. I knew that I didn’t have to look further to find incredible professors and transformative coursework, so I am now in Hood’s MFA in creative writing low residency program. 

Hood’s low-residency program allows me to balance my professional and personal life while pursuing my creative ambitions. I don’t know of another program with the flexibility to allow me to be an executive director, a mom and a practicing artist as well as a student. 

I worked at Douglas Zaruba Studio for a little over a year while obtaining my undergraduate degree in studio art and creative writing at Hood. The experience was a complete immersion in the business of art in the studio gallery of a true master artist. I learned to keep financial records, hang exhibitions, write press releases, market, write grant proposals and more. Being in the studio helped evolve my creative practice immeasurably.

The thing about minimalist artists, like Douglas Zaruba, is that the attention to quality and detail is unparalleled. I would like to think some of that rubbed off on me. It was a true honor to work for Douglas, and while he has retired, he is still living out his life as a true artist, and we stay in touch. I had lunch with him just the other day, and he offered words of support now that I am starting as the new executive director of the Washington County Arts Council (WCAC).

I was not involved with the WCAC prior to my employment. Although I hadn’t been involved with WCAC before, my experience with managing a gallery and a creative arts program aligned perfectly with the council’s mission. During the interview process, I realized how our visions could align and drive the council’s impact forward.

I believe we never truly “arrive” at a role. Growth is continuous, and embracing that dynamic process has helped me navigate and approach this new role with humility and enthusiasm.

I have met executives who have expressed to me that they suffer from imposter syndrome. I think letting go of the expectation that we are to arrive at a finite point of becoming—that such certainty even exists—readies us for the reality that life is not fixed, but dynamic, and we must constantly evolve.

I’ve enjoyed the position so far. Taking risks and being decisive is a pivotal part of organizational leadership that I relish. Embracing innovation and looking for unexplored pathways to growth is necessary to stay relevant, and I enjoy being a part of that change-making. I come from a strong diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility background and am looking for ways that the arts council can reach the underserved groups in the community. 

Interacting with and supporting artists is a joy and a privilege. Our team is strong, with a board of directors of 13 members who are experts in diverse fields and an experienced gallery manager who is a staunch advocate for artists in our community. I enjoy the work, and I like the people that I work with.

Above all, what my education has done for me is to challenge me constantly. I remember having to student-teach a class on literary criticism. I did not believe I could do it; I really thought it was impossible for me. But, when they say you never know unless you try, they are right. I taught the class, and I presented my work in front of others numerous times, and it made me uncomfortable in the best way.

I learned what it felt like to overcome self-doubt, and when faced with doubt, I can now say I have been here before. My job experience has helped me in different ways. Soft skills such as utilizing organizational systems, productivity techniques and leading people are all things I have learned in my work history.

Ultimately, my education taught me resilience and adaptability, while my work experiences honed my attention to detail and leadership abilities. Together, they’ve made me a stronger, more empathetic leader.

I’ve been told by many people that most artists never make it and cannot support themselves, but I have been making a living in the arts for many years now, and I am not that special or different from anyone else. I think if you are truly passionate about art, there will be opportunities for you, and many of them will be of your own making. 

Don’t be passive and put your career hopes in the hands of others. A lot of artists I know have diversified income streams. I’ve sold commissions, exhibited in galleries, sold at fairs, taught workshops, published books, represented other artists, managed a gallery, assisted in an art studio, and now I am serving the Washington County Arts Council and community as executive director. Please don’t listen to the people who tell you it cannot be done.

Embrace constant growth—until you arrive at a place where you seek discomfort because it creates resilience. When I first started, I faced a lot of discouragement, but one small gallery show turned into larger opportunities because I kept showing up and creating. Artists must create their own opportunities.

A fun fact about me is that I scrambled up the cliffside face of the flatiron mountains in Boulder, Colorado, without any ropes or harnesses to secure me or catch me from falling. There is nothing to get you to commit like climbing up a mountain you cannot climb down, when the only way off is up! That climb taught me about commitment: just like in an art career, sometimes the only way forward is up, even when it feels uncertain.

Inspired by Nicole’s accomplishments with her MFA? Ready to #GOFURTHER in your career? Learn more about Hood College’s graduate programs, such as creative writing, by clicking here.