Alexander Sands is a visual folk artist and singer-songwriter best known for his lyrical ballads, Americana-style paintings, former singer of Coronado, and as the former owner of Vestige Concept Gallery.

 

Although largely self-taught, Sands learned much of art and design techniques from his father, visual and commercial artist Robert Sands, and through public school (Fox Chapel, 2002), continuing at DePaul University, Chicago, where he became a Bachelor of the Arts of Religious Studies (2006).  Undoubtedly, the ongoing study of religion, philosophy, and spirituality has been the driving force behind Sands’ artistic work.   

 

During his time in Chicago (2002-2008), Sands devoted himself to folk music and songwriting, among musician contemporaries such as Joe Pug, guitarist/film director Jimmy Giannopoulos, Chris Luxem, Henhouse Prowlers, Constance Brown (daughter of Greg Brown), John Kimler, David Safran, Darren Spitzer (The Changes), Jason Miller (Alfonso Ponticelli & Swing Gitan), and Jeremy "JT" Thomas (JT and The Clouds/Birds of Chicago).

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Sands returned to Pittsburgh in 2008 where he started a rock band The Airplane Graveyard, and an analog tape recording studio that became a “Musician’s BnB”, where he hosted parties and touring artists, produced albums, and designed promotions.  From 2012-2015 he fronted and toured with the rock group Coronado, opening for notable acts Birds of Chicago (co-feat. Grammy Award Winning Allison Russell), Natural Child, and The Districts, as well as receiving mainstream FM radio play.

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After a brief marriage in 2016, Sands began a more serious interest in painting after seeing a vision inspired by a book on Native American philosophy.  He infused these ideas with his studies of "Theosophy"- including (but not limited to) Alchemy, Jungian Psychology, Numerology, Zen Buddhism, Christianity, and The Tarot.  While Sands' primary visual work incorporates many of these elements, he also creates what he calls “Lifestyle Art” (i.e. Pop Art) and has also made his own board games and jewelry boxes.  In 2017, Sands joined with Josh Barnes, Chris McCune, and Marty Alberts, to create a warehouse art collaborative informally known as “1106 Reedsdale Street” where they hosted avant-garde performances until closing in April 2019.  Sands and Barnes would relocate to a new studio, until parting ways in October 2019. 

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Sands has exhibited his art in select shows, mostly in the eastern United States, and works from his home studio in Verona, PA, a borough of Pittsburgh.  Together with wife and designer Kelsey Dennis, they founded  Vestige Concept Gallery in January 2021.  As a successful gallery owner and entrepreneur, the couple has hosted works from over 600 National Artists through 25 mixed art exhibitions in a 3 year span.  The Gallery closed in December of 2023 and continues as a design services company, with several major clients.

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In January 2024, Sands began work on a new solo album with several special guests, including CMA-Nominated and former Sony/Epic records artist Don Gatlin (Kenny Rogers Band, Savannah Jack, The Ellis Brothers).