Nancy Swickard is a Muncie, Indiana–based artist whose work reflects a lifelong dedication to both art making and art education. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Art with a concentration in Textiles from Ball State University before continuing her studies in the MFA program at Illinois State University.
During the 1980s, Swickard lived in New York City where she produced and sold one of a kind textile prints, developing a strong foundation in design, color, and pattern. She later returned to Ball State University to complete a Master of Arts in Studio Painting along with a Teaching Certification.
From 1996 to 2021, Swickard taught art at all levels within Muncie Community Schools, inspiring generations of students. Her contributions to art education were widely recognized. She was named Corporation Teacher of the Year, Building Teacher of the Year three times, and received the Outstanding Elementary Art Teacher Award from the Art Education Association of Indiana. Throughout her career she was also awarded numerous teaching grants supporting arts education.
Her artwork has been exhibited in two graduate solo exhibitions at Ball State University and in regional exhibitions including the Minnetrista Annual Juried Art Shows and the Humpback Barn Festivals. Her work is also included in permanent collections in New York.
Now retired from teaching, Swickard continues to create. Working primarily in acrylic and watercolor, her current work focuses on visual storytelling and journaling through paint, capturing moments, memories, and personal reflections.