Artist Statement
My artwork layers prints, paint, text, and found objects as a meditation on resilience, salvaged from the relics of interrupted journeys. The objects represented symbolizes the choice to move forward. The colors and textures are inspired by my journey of life – a combination of struggle, joy, and hope.
Photo credit Scott Schwartz
Background:
I am a Visual Art for Well-Being Instructor who has taught educators, medical and mental health professionals, cancer survivors, and victims of trauma for PALM Health, Prison Performing Arts, the Missouri Institute of Mental Health, the Kemper Art Museum, the Cancer Support Community, Washington University, St. Louis University, Webster University, the Center of Creative Arts, Central Visual and Performing Arts High School, Siteman Cancer Center and other cultural, mental health, medical, and educational institutions both regionally and nationally. I have taught art to individuals with developmental delays, hearing impairments, significant medical conditions, dementia and learning disabilities, as well as typically developing and gifted students.
I have honed my Art for Well-Being practice with adults enrolled in the Stress Management Program at PALM Health, an integrative medicine wellness center. In the fall of 2020, I stepped in to teach high school students at Central Visual and Performing Arts High Schoo as a substitute teacher for one of the founders who needed to take a medical leave. It's been my distinct pleasure to be a part of a family that is lead by a principal who asks her teachers to do "heart work."
I am a co-founder of Arts, Writing, and Expression Collaborative (AWE). AWE aims to help men transitioning out of the criminal justice system tell their story through visual art, creative writing and public performance. In January 2021, Prison Performing Arts took over AWE and we launched the Arts and Healing program that brings writing, visual arts and theatre to residents at the Transition Center of St. Louis. In 2022, we received funding to expand to Missouri Eastern Correctional Center.
I received a Master of Fine Arts degree from Washington University in St. Louis, studied in Santa Reparata International School of Art in Florence, Italy, and completed 270 class room hours of Anthropedia Well-Being Coach training.
I moved to a small Kirkwood farmhouse in September 2021 and in November 2021, I opened my studio doors in the renovated barn for private lessons, intimate artist retreats and collaborations that inspire and heal.
I hope you join me in exercising your creativity and living a life that is joyful, meaningful and manageable.
For more information, contact me at [email protected].
Arts & Healing exhibit by Men Transitioning out of the Criminal Justice System
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Consider what the photos looked like when these guys had their photos taken as they entered the Department of Corrections. Now they smile in front of their portraits that tells the story of their transition out of the criminal justice system. Prison Performing Arts brings writing, visual arts and theatre to residents at the Transition Center of St. Louis that allow participants hands-on learning opportunities in their pursuit of self-awareness and healing. |
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Press
Center of Creative Arts - 2024 - Celebrating Asian American & Pacific Islander Month
Voyage StL - 2023 Rising Stars
St. Louis Post-Dispatch - 2021 Support St. Louis Artists
St. Louis Post-Dispatch — 2021 Painter Uses Her Art to Help Others Heal
Gesso Magazine — 2021 The Kirkwood Performing Arts Center
Art St. Louis Blog — 2020 This Moment
St. Louis Post-Dispatch — 2017 Crown Center and COCA Creates Arts Programming for Retirees
All The Art — 2015 The Minority Artist in St. Louis
St. Louis Jewish Light — 2014 Artists Explores Theme of Resilience
St. Louis Jewish Light —2013 The Jerry Pass Cooking for Wellness Spring Fling
Videos
Exercise Your Creativity PALM Health
Show the World You’re Still Here PALM Health
Art Inspiration PALM Health
Mother’s Day Gift PALM Health
Exploring Trauma through Expressive Art Missouri Institute of Mental Health
Center of Creative Arts - 2024 - Celebrating Asian American & Pacific Islander Month
Voyage StL - 2023 Rising Stars
St. Louis Post-Dispatch - 2021 Support St. Louis Artists
St. Louis Post-Dispatch — 2021 Painter Uses Her Art to Help Others Heal
Gesso Magazine — 2021 The Kirkwood Performing Arts Center
Art St. Louis Blog — 2020 This Moment
St. Louis Post-Dispatch — 2017 Crown Center and COCA Creates Arts Programming for Retirees
All The Art — 2015 The Minority Artist in St. Louis
St. Louis Jewish Light — 2014 Artists Explores Theme of Resilience
St. Louis Jewish Light —2013 The Jerry Pass Cooking for Wellness Spring Fling
Videos
Exercise Your Creativity PALM Health
Show the World You’re Still Here PALM Health
Art Inspiration PALM Health
Mother’s Day Gift PALM Health
Exploring Trauma through Expressive Art Missouri Institute of Mental Health
