About the Artist

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Nova Stewart (they/she) is an Illustrator & Mixed Media Artist as well as an Arts Educator, Arts Administrator, and Community Advocate based in Northeast Ohio. They hold a BFA in Illustration from the Cleveland Institute of Art (20’) and an MA in Arts & Culture Management from the University of Akron (25’). Nova has exhibited their work regionally and runs an illustration brand called Star Catcher Studio. Alongside their studio practice, they continue to build community care initiatives through StarFall Creative Collective and other professional work.

Their experience with disability, therapeutic concepts, and community work informs a creative practice rooted in care and reflection. Drawing from lived experience, Nova creates dreamlike visual narratives where fantasy becomes a form of survival. Guided by kindness, introspection, and imagination, their work invites viewers into quiet spaces where grief, hope, and transformation are allowed to coexist and heal.

Star Catcher Studio, is a playful illustration brand featuring vibrant designs and handcrafted items. Drawing from Nova's background in picture book illustration and a love for colorful, star-filled imagery, the brand reflects a sense of wonder and gentleness. They hand sculpt fun "lil guys," create art prints, and design enamel pins and other retail products.

Nova Stewart

Illustrator | Crafter | Art Educator

Arts Administrator | Community Advocate

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Nova Stewart is an Arts Administrator, Educator, Illustrator, and Community Advocate based in Northeast Ohio. They hold a Master’s in Arts & Culture Management from the University of Akron (’25) and a BFA in Illustration from the Cleveland Institute of Art (’20), with additional concentrations in Creative Writing, Design, and Art Education. Nova has worked across numerous regional arts nonprofits supporting a range of functions from public programming, grant writing, event coordination, marketing & social media, and community partnerships.

With more than a decade of experience in creative entrepreneurship through their illustration brand Star Catcher Studio and other past experiences, Nova blends administrative insight with firsthand knowledge of the challenges artists face. Their teaching background spans K-12 visual arts, community programs, and adult workshops, alongside higher education artist mentorship helping emerging artists navigate professional practices, branding, and arts business.

They are the co-founder of StarFall Creative Collective, a grassroots, artist-led initiative that hosts social creative events, researches arts resources, and cultivates spaces of care, access, and connection for creatives in Northeast Ohio. Their leadership work centers mutual aid, inclusive program design, and sustainable models for artist support.

Nova’s professional values are rooted in creativity, community, and care. Whether designing public-facing cultural events, building partnerships, conducting research, or managing arts spaces, they aim to create systems that nurture resilience and foster belonging - ensuring that the arts remain a transformative force for individuals and the communities they call home.

Through StarFall Creative Collective, Nova is committed to volunteering their time doing what they love: Artist Support & Education, Community Engagement, and Research into better systems of care and Creative Sustainability.

Their graduate thesis and ongoing research project is aimed at education about stability for visual artists in the region. Information about accessing the resources they need to support their creative practices, business skills, and background art administrative work. It combines a comprehensive guidebook, zine series, and StarFall's searchable digital database that maps out local arts organizations. Grounded in community feedback and arts administration theory, this work addresses barriers like fragmented information, accessibility, and limited support infrastructure, ultimately empowering artists to better engage with and shape our local arts ecosystem & community.