1959 Born Sandra Jo Hackbarth, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 1974-78 Began working in ceramics at The Potters Wheel in Milwaukee and at the University of Wisconsin at Green Bay, WI. 1978-84 B.A. from University of Wisconsin at Green Bay, WI. Focus on Arts Management, Conceptual Art and studio work. Began current work developing original ethnographic symbols. 1988 Designed and commissioned a series of tapestries woven by Wence Martinez in Teotitlan del Valle, Oaxaca, Mexico. The collection of 15 collaborative pieces were featured in Convergence '88, International Textile Conference and exhibited throughout Chicago, IL including a solo exhibition at Topeka Gallery, The Field Museum, and The Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum, (now the National Mexican Museum) 1994-Pres. Opened Martinez Studio in Jacksonport, Wisconsin. The gallery focuses of the work of Sandra and her husband Wence Martinez. I first saw Sandra's work at the Milwaukee Art Museum, and I was immediately struck by the originality of her work and her imagery, which has a timeless quality yet is contemporary at the same time. While her design is innovative, her pieces are also extremely well made... her technique is masterful. She also has a wonderful sense of authenticity and unity, which is what you look for in an artist. She has a consistent style, and she's found her inner voice. She makes a distinctive contribution. Michael Monroe, Executive Director and curator of the Bellevue Arts Museum in Seattle, formerly the Curator of the Renwick Gallery, the Smithsonian's museum of contemporary craft and design commenting on Sandra's apliqued handbags and blockprinted scarves in a one person trunk show at the Milwaukee Art Museum.