Niki Leist

Echo Earrings, 2024

Sterling Silver, carved, cast, assembled

Artist Statement

Niki Leist is a Philadelphia, USA based jewelry artist and curator. Trained as a painter with a BFA from Arcadia University, she brings a sculptural sensibility to her sterling silver and gold work. A Halstead Grant Finalist and recipient of Pennsylvania's Creative Entrepreneur Grant, her jewelry is featured in galleries including the Philadelphia Museum of Art Store and Gravers Lane Gallery. She is a co-curator for Dream Machine at NYC Jewelry Week. She explores movement, light, and form while celebrating artist-led, process-driven practices.

Niki Leist's journey into the world of jewelry began in high school, where she was first exposed to the basics of metalsmithing. Although she went to university to study Art and more specifically painting, she kept returning to her love of jewelry and handwork. After spending over a decade in corporate project management and customer service, a significant life event-the birth of her child-prompted Niki to pursue a career that brought her joy and pride.
In 2022, Niki was awarded a spot in NextFab's Artisan Accelerator, an eight-week program focused on business strategy. Through this program, and with help from her local Small Business Development Center, she created Niki Leist, the jewelry brand. She was honored with Pennsylvania's Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program Grant in 2023 and was selected as a Halstead Grant Finalist in 2024, and received American Craft Council's Early Career Artist Grant in 2025. Niki lives and works in Philadelphia, PA. You can find her jewelry in boutiques and shops across the country including the Philadelphia Museum of Art Store, and work with her directly to create custom jewelry. 5% of her website sales are donated to organizations working to support her local community.

https://www.nikileist.com/