Aldrena Hicks

Profile

Aldrena Hicks (she/her) is a maker, designer, and educator. She is the owner of Only Lovely Creative—a wedding stationery design company. During her tenure at Columbia College of South Carolina, Aldrena was an Assistant Professor of Art and Design and Chair of the Art Department. In addition to mentoring local young professionals, she served on AIGA’s National Diversity & Inclusion Task Force.

Aldrena studied studio art at Columbia College of South Carolina and graduated with an MFA in graphic design from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Her thesis, Little Brown Girl: Essays on the Influence of Black Womanhood in Visual Communication, focuses on the subjects of Black hair, skin, and self-love. This work was featured in the IDA 2019 International Design Award Annual and PRINT Magazine’s 2017 Regional Design Award Annual. She has presented at AIGA’s 2017 Design Conference, AIGA NY’s Fresh Grad Program, and participated in exhibitions at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s Moseley Gallery and at Columbia College of South Carolina’s Goodall Gallery.

Aldrena has published a children’s book titled You Are A Queen and her most recent work, Unraveled. Ms. Taylor’s Portrait is the cover art artwork for the August 2020 edition of Louisville Magazine.

She draws inspiration from the artworks of Faith Ringgold, Romare Bearden, and Kara Walker as well as her experience growing up in the South. Many of her designs include handcrafted details and stories. In her spare time, Aldrena enjoys crafting, sewing, watching documentaries, and nurturing her children’s creativity. Her mission is to help creatives of color (particularly Black women) realize their voice has value in their work. Aldrena lives in South Carolina with her family.