After graduating from Vassar with a degree in philosophy, she went on to study design at Domus Academy in Milan, and metalworking at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn.  Banks has shown her work extensively in New York and New England.

In 1996, Banks installed Faces: Times Square, a permanent 166 foot sculptural fence on the traffic median between Seventh Ave. and Broadway, New York, NY, for which she won an Award for Excellence in design from the Art Commission of New York City.  Her public works also include a commission for the Binghampton Visitors Center in upstate New York.

In 2002, Banks created two large steel sculptures for the Hunts Point Recreation Center: Louisa, a horse located outside the basketball court, and Rusty, a dog located in the lobby near the front desk. Both sculptures were forged from continuous steel rods and each resembles a three-dimensional line drawing.  The artist explained that by installing these “functionless” sculptures at a recreation center, she hoped to inspire children’s interest in creating and admiring works of  art.

Selected Solo Exhibitions:
2006 Collection Insights: Dogs, Islip Art Museum, East Islip, NY
1991 Wireworks, University Gallery, Fine Arts Center, University of Massachusetts at Amherst
1990 Holiday Party, American Craft Museum, NYC