Diane Moran - Canada and USA
1. Please share who you are as an artist and art facilitator.
I am Diane Moran. I am a Visual Artist and a Community Connector from Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada. As an artist I create to bring balance to my everyday life. As a visual artist I am inspired by everyday environments and objects. I see art as an opportunity for self-discovery, engagement and exploration; I believe everyone should exercise their imaginations regularly.
2. What population do you serve and why do you enjoy working with this demographic?
I serve many with my creative practices and ideas; much of what I do and have done is reaching out with art after natural disasters while using art to heal help and inspire. Why do I use art in this manner? It taps into our creative self and encourages kids and adults alike to share with their heart.
3. Please share a descriptive “snapshot” of one of your art sessions, your studio/workspace, and describe the emotional “atmosphere” of your sessions.
I create opportunities for youth to participate in joint creative efforts that can be shared with others after adversity. I work in schools and I travel between the USA and Canada to create collaborative healing art initiatives.
4. How do you make people feel at ease so that they can more comfortably express themselves?
I use tools and art techniques that are simple like collage. I love to remind people that we are all creative in various ways.
5. Could you share an example of an art directive or an art theme that you might typically use in your art program?
One of the most meaningful creative initiatives I have created was with school students in Canada and New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. In a joint effort, we connected more than 65 pairs of pen pals and gave the kids an opportunity to learn about each other and share their experiences of Katrina. Letters from Canada were sent reminding kids that people care. Poignant letters of thanks were returned and many children continued to write to each other.
6. What most touches you most about the art groups that you facilitate?
Seeing the impact of both the creator of the works and the recipient of the piece. In the Katrina efforts we gave painted banners to regular folks in New Orleans that needed to know there where people "out there" who cared, and who understood their plight and wanted to help.
7. Could you share a story about how art making has facilitated change, deeper connection, or emotional or psychological healing for an individual member of your art group?
See my spoken description of how I use art to heal, help and inspire!
8. What personally motivates you to facilitate art in the way that you do? Who are you as a creator and a teacher? What makes your art program unique?
I love to build relationships while using a collaborative creative process for idea generation. I keep all my art projects hands-on and involve all ages and artistic abilities in the group process. I find ways to best showcase the work while encouraging the process of making art. It’s not just about the product but the process that counts. I always celebrate the success of the art initiative, and make sure to honour all of the artists involved.
Diane Moran - Art Educator
Diane Moran is a Visual Artist who works in all media from photography, paint, clay and sculpture.
She is also committed to arts initiatives and spends much of her time educating young people about global issues and international awareness through art. Over the past 10 years, Diane has shown and sold her work at a variety of galleries and events.
She has been intimately involved in a few international initiatives and has been an Artist in Residence, as well as an Artist Resource for various school districts in the lower mainland in Vancouver, Canada. Diane’s latest passion is facilitating art workshops, coupled with humanitarian and thought-provoking projects which continue to fuel her creative spirit.
Visit Diane on her website at: http://artfulawareness.org/