Our Visual Art’s Faculty

Mrs. Nikki Sands graduated from Kennesaw State University in 1999, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Art Education. Immediately following graduation, Mrs. Sands married her husband, Derrick, a now retired warrant-officer in the U.S. Army. 

Through her travels as an army spouse, Mrs. Sands taught visual art at the high school level in Tacoma, WA. She also taught visual art at the elementary level in North Augusta SC, Evans, GA, and Columbus, GA. Mrs. Sands has prepared and hung many art shows throughout the years, with a focus on professional display of student artwork. 

Mrs. Sands teaches 6^th grade visual art, 7^th grade visual art, Visual Art Comprehensive, AP Art History and Media Arts I at Rainey-McCullers School of the Arts. Her favorite subject to teach is Ceramics. 

In her personal studio, she enjoys exploring different types of fiber arts, leather work, and handbag design. Mrs. Sands is the mother of four children: Nicholas, Derrick, Gabriel and Autumn Rose.

Ms. Judy Barr Dodds has a long history of teaching at all levels, children through adults. She enjoys teaching the arts at the middle and high schools because students are fearless and so willing to learn and experiment.

Trained as a medical illustrator, she started her illustration career at Hughston Sports Medicine Foundation as a staff illustrator. She has been a working artist for decades while teaching foundations art classes at Columbus State University in Columbus, GA and currently here at Rainey McCullers School of the Arts.

She works predominantly in oils in a contemporary Impressionist style, with lots of color and texture. Her artwork often features broad landscapes with dramatic skies and coastal wetlands.