Nelli Astvatsatrian is an interdisciplinary artist whose work explores themes of cultural memory, displacement, and resilience through fiber arts, ceramics, printmaking, and photography. Grounded in Armenian-American identity, her practice interrogates personal and collective histories, drawing inspiration from traditional craft forms such as quilting and ceramics. 

Nelli earned a dual B.A. in Art Practice and Rhetoric from the University of California, Berkeley, graduating with Honors in Art Practice and receiving the Wendy Sussman Departmental Award and Excellence in Drawing Award. Her work has been exhibited widely, including solo installations at March April gallery and commissions from the City of Glendale. She has also shown at renowned venues like the Los Angeles Municipal Gallery, Super House Gallery New York, and Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions (LACE).

Nelli’s artistic career has been supported by several residencies, including Andrea Zittel’s AZ West Residency, Alchemy Arts Residency and Oxbow School of Art. She is a recipient of grants such as the City of Glendale Arts and Culture Commission and the Center for Cultural Innovation’s East Bay Arts Grant.

Deeply influenced by themes of cultural memory and identity, Nelli’s mixed-media work bridges 2D and 3D forms, engaging with both historical and contemporary narratives. Her passion for collaboration extends into her 7+ years of teaching experience at institutions such as Tilden Preparatory School, Richmond Art Center, Kala Art Institute and TUMO Studios in Armenia, where she has shared her expertise in figure drawing, quiltmaking, and more.