FINE ARTS INSTRUCTORS

I have been an artist since I was 8 years old. I graduated from Architecture school but always keep myself doing art. I have been involved with art and community in the St Louis area  the past 8 years, teaching art workshops at regional museums as the Missouri History Museum and the Contemporary art museum, doing art residencies and projects at schools from K to 12 grades and I love it! In my classes, students are encouraged  to express themselves through their art, to be creative and find opportunities to grow their art practice, while learning how the art and artists have developed through different times and cultures. Over time students will be able to recognize how they are incorporating previously learned elements into both two-dimensional and three-dimensional artwork.  Most lessons will be associated with a well-known and historical artist or a cultural experience. Students will get to experience hands-on activities with clay, oil pastels, paint, and much more!

Shilpa Rao is a Saint Louis based, interdisciplinary artist with experience in teaching and community art, striving to expand artistic horizons, promote multicultural outreach and connect communities through art. She believes Art can bridge gaps in communities, help heal, voice opinions, and spread positivity. Being a certified teaching artist helps her share her passion for art and empower youth with a powerful means of communication. She is inspired by ancient art forms especially rooted in geometric and patterned symmetry. Main components in her work are symmetry, detailed patterns, vibrant colors, and textures. She strives to strike a balance and connection between all the components, creating a meditative imagery that evokes feelings of calm. She has shown her work in invitational art shows, galleries, art fairs, led community art projects, murals, commissioned work and held workshops for various age groups.

 I have been teaching art in different organizations for over 10 years. I am also a practicing artist and amateur photographer. Currently I am also working at the Saint Louis Art Museum in the Education department where I get to plan fun and educational programs for youth and families.  As an interdisciplinary immigrant artist, my goal is to capture the essence of the natural world and create a visual experience for the viewer that sparks emotion. My art process begins with observing through my camera lens, looking beyond the obvious engagement of the subject, and weaving a visual story with acrylics and sometimes mixed media. Using intuition and feeling I approach a blank canvas to tell a story. I use knives, brushes, and a thick layering of color to build textures. Once a few layers are applied, I begin working on the overall composition of the image. At this point, I start to fine-tune the objective of the artwork. The specific details start appearing through symbols, colors, patterns, and abstraction. My artistic journey is deeply connected to my existence: to see, breathe, feel and respond to everything happening around me. My work displays a strong sense of artistry and forward-thinking that is consistent across all my creations.

Tatiana is a local photographer and media manager. She graduated from Georgetown College in 2019 with a Bachelors in Art and Psychology. Since then she has worked as an Art Teacher in Louisville, KY at Foster Height Elementary School. Now she lives in St. Louis teaching our students all about art! Tatiana loves to inspire the next generation to express themselves through art and enjoy the creative process! Tatiana is excited to be a part of the DaySpring Community!