Vanesa is a visual artist, specializing in pattern drawings done in ink. She is trained in Creative Aging and is available to teach Zentangle classes for older adults.

Vanesa is the founder and owner of Mariposa Arts, whose objective is to make creativity accessible to all communities as a healing tool. She piloted a program called, Healing Through the Arts, in 2017 in partnership with the Delaware Art Museum. This program was started with a focus to help cancer patients, survivors, and their caregivers, and it has expanded to include communities facing environmental and historic traumas. With the generosity of grants, Vanesa keeps growing this program’s scope of reach and influence. She became certified to teach the Zentangle© art method in 2019, to compliment the mission of these workshops.

She is proud to be involved in her local artist community as a member of the Delaware Shakespeare Board of Directors. Also, she is currently a member of the international artist collective, Instantes Graficos, based out of Argentina. She exhibited her work in 1/1 Caja de Arte in Buenos Aires. She was also featured and sold work at Printed Matter Virtual Art Book Fair 2021 and was featured on social media platforms by the Delaware Art Museum for their Woman Artist Wednesday for the artwork she accomplished during 2020.

Certifications:

2023 – Open Studio Process Facilitator - (Social Emotional Learning art process for adults and youth)

2022 - Lifetime Arts - Creative Aging Facilitation Training

2021 - Stockton Rush Bartol Foundation – Trauma-Informed Teaching Artist

2021 - Thomas S. Kenan Institute of the Arts at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts – Creative Catalyst Certificate

2019 - Zentangle Inc. - Teacher Training Program

Member of the following Organizations:

NOAH (National Organization for Arts in Health)

Speaking Engagements:

2021 – October – NAMI Delaware Inspiring Hope Conference – Presenter & Art Demonstration

2021 & 2022 - April - Delaware Hospice Reimagine Conference - Art Demonstration

2022 – May – Delaware Church Women’s Day of Wellness Art Presenter

2022 – August – MILLSUMMIT Panelist