“I have been ‘sick’ my whole life. I’ve been misdiagnosed with leukemia and thyroid disorders, and I have celiac disease. It’s frustrating to be told again and again that I am making these things up when they are very real. I also work with students with disabilities every day, and the disabled are the largest minority and the most underrepresented in the entertainment industry.”
Maryland Institute College of Art
Shelli Hoppe is a force to be reckoned with. An esteemed artist and author, her work intertwines neurodiversity research, mixed media, paint, design, and sculpture. Her latest creations, mesmerizing oversized faux fur spiders adorned with recycled Nick Cave materials and sparkling Swarovski crystals, embody her unique blend of innovation and artistry — and draws from her personal journey with chronic illness and autism.