Sasha Lyth receives recognition
Redwood Coast Montessori (RCM) is proud to celebrate the work and dedication of art teacher and local artist Sasha Lyth, whose creativity, leadership, and professional artistry continue to inspire students and enrich the Humboldt County community.
Born and raised in Humboldt County, Sasha earned her BA in Studio Art and Art Education, her single-subject teaching credential in Art, and her MA in Education from Humboldt State University (now Cal Poly Humboldt). She has been teaching at Redwood Coast Montessori since 2021, though her journey with RCM began in 2010 with one of her first art teaching positions. Since earning her credential in 2012, she has taught across Humboldt County in both public and private institutions, shaping countless young artists along the way.
Sasha’s professional impact extends far beyond the classroom. She has served as the Art Methods Instructor for Cal Poly Humboldt’s Secondary Education Credential Program, acted as the Secondary Liaison for the California Arts Council until 2023, and dedicated over a decade of service as a Board Member for the Humboldt Arts Council.
In addition to teaching, Sasha maintains a robust art practice spanning figurative oil painting, mixed media, ceramics, and commercial work as a Live Event Painter. By modeling life as a working artist, she inspires her students to see themselves as creators whose voices matter. Her leadership has guided local youth in completing five large-scale public murals and in exhibiting their work across the community.
In 2023, Sasha received the prestigious Victor Thomas Jacoby Award for her series Blueprints to the Wilderness, combining textiles, cyanotype, and eco-printing created in the Eastern Sierras. This project explores the emotional and spiritual connections between humans and wild spaces and will culminate in a solo exhibition at the Morris Graves Museum of Art.
Beyond Humboldt, Sasha leads international art and pilates retreats with her sister, most recently in Greece following a student trip she led with RCM in April 2025. Her artistic influence reaches from local classrooms to global stages, reflecting her belief that art is essential to academic, social, and emotional growth.
“Art is not just about technique,” Sasha emphasizes, “it’s about voice, collaboration, and exploration.” This philosophy beautifully aligns with the Montessori mission of empowering students to think critically, engage deeply, and connect learning to life.
This article appears in My Humboldt Life October 2025.