Grants, Awards, and Scholarships
Grants
-"Exploration of Jacquard Weave Structures on the Digital TC-2 Loom" Undergraduate Summer Research Fellowship, ETSU Honors College and the ETSU Office of Research & Sponsored Programs
Scholarships
-Hayes Art Scholarship- Department of Art and Design, East Tennessee State University 2019-20
-International Education Study Abroad Scholarship, East Tennessee State University International Programs 2019
-Jane dove Cox Art Scholarship- Department of Art and Design, East Tennessee State University 2017-18
-Reece Museum Art Scholarship- Department of Art and Design, East Tennessee State University 2017-18
-Arrowmont Scholarship- Department of Art and Design, East Tenessee State University 2018
-New Hampshire Institute of Art Pre-College Program 2016
-The University of Tennessee School of Art High School Arts Academy 2014
Awards/ Recognition
-National Society of Collegiate Scholars Member 2017-2020
-East Tennessee State University Dean's List 6 Consecutive Semesters Fall 2016- Spring 2019
-East Tennessee State University College of Art and Design Student Honors Show Foundations Award 2017
-2nd Place Winner in Loudon County Music and Art Showcase 2015
-12th Grade Honorable Mention in the 10th Annual East Tennessee Regional Student Art Exhibition 2015
-Best Sculpture in the 9th Annual East Tennessee Regional Student Art Exhibition 2014
Residencies
-The Icelandic Textile Center Textile Artist Residency on the TC2 Loom - August 2021
Group Exhibitions
2021
-Samkoma Art in Textile - The Icelandic Textile Center
2020
-Senior BFA Solo Show (Canceled due to Covid-19)
2019
-East Tennessee State University Student Honors Show - Slocumb Galleries
-Tension: Harmony Pop Up- East Tennessee State University
-The Face of Danger-Tipton Gallery
2018
-East Tennessee State University Student Honors Show - Slocumb Galleries
-Clay/Fiber/Metals: ETSU Studio Craft Student Exhibition - Tipton Gallery
2017
-Student Honors Show (Group) - Tipton Gallery
2016
-Into Abstraction, Foundation Class Award Show - Slocumb Galleries
-Dogwood Arts Synergy Art Exhibition - Clayton Center of the Arts
2015
-10th Annual East Tennessee Regional Student Art Exhibition - Knoxville Museum of Art
-Tennessee’s Best of the Best Student Art Exhibition- Leu Art Gallery & Gallery 121
2014
-9th Annual East Tennessee Regional Student Art Exhibition - Knoxville Museum of Art -Best Sculpture Award
2013
-8th Annual East Tennessee Regional Student Art Exhibition - Knoxville Museum of Art
Publications
-"Origami samples woven on the TC2!," Digital Weaving Norway, September 2019
-"From crayons to sculptures: Teen turns heads with gown made entirely of envelopes," The Daily Times, January 2015
-"Raina Nief creates gown out of envelopes," The Daily Times, January 2015
-"'LHS student wins award for best sculpture at art show," News Herald, December 2014
Education
-East Tennessee State University BFA in Fine Arts Concentration in Studio Art, Minor in Marketing (Dean’s List 6 Consecutive Semesters) (GPA 3.86) Summa Cum Laude August 2016- May 2020
-Art, Culture, and Wood Fired Ceramics Study Abroad in Italy - 2019
-Arrowmont Schol of Arts and Crafts, Abstract Embroidery Workshop by Rena Wood - 2018
-New Hampshire College of Art Pre-College Program - 2016
Work Experience
East Tennessee State University- Research Discovery Assistant August 2017- May 2020
-I was chosen by the Fibers professor of the Fine Arts Department of East Tennessee State University to assist her in her studio and classroom. I provide assistance in her studio maintenance and various tasks to help with her personal research.
East Tennessee State University- Slocumb Galleries Intern February 2017- May 2018
As a gallery intern, I helped with all the works of an art gallery. I helped install, take down and pack the shows Slocumb Galleries hosted. I was also a part of the team that prepares receptions for their show openings. We advocated the arts throughout our campus.
East Tennessee State University- Graduate Admissions Specialist’s Student Worker August 2016-February 2017
As an Admissions Specialist’s Student Worker, I organized the documents that are sent in by the applying
student. I also assisted the Specialist in phone calls, scheduling, and organizing students’ admissions files.