Maria Geary is a mixed media and fiber artist based in Durham who works to explore the relationships between lived experiences and current society issues. A ‘creative inspirationalist’, her creative practice and business Relaxing In Art, is a word play of her nickname, ‘Ria. It serves as a reminder that creating art is a form of relaxing. As a teaching artist, she stresses the three R’s: REFLECT, RELATE and RELEASE.
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EXPERIENCE
June 2014 – Present
Creative Inspirationalist, Relaxing in Art Studio, Durham, NC
• Design and create mixed media and fiber artwork for clients and retail locations
• Teaching artist that offers beginner classes in visual art that includes fiber, mixed media, card
making and art journaling.
October 2018 – Present
Teaching Artist
Artist Innovation Mentorship Program, North Carolina Museum of Art
Creative Arts in Public and Private Schools (CAPS), Durham Arts Council
Visual Arts Instructor, Student U, Durham Arts Council
• Explore creative problem solving and introduce students to mixed media supplies and techniques
• Create and organize project lesson plans to comply with NC Essential Arts Standard and Connecting
Common Core State Standard(s)
• Design and implement mixed media lessons for middle and high school students to explore various
mediums and techniques
October 2018 – March 2020
Creative Class Instructor, Scrap Exchange
Durham, NC
• Instructed hands on creative workshop where participants created greeting or affirmation cards, and
mixed media art journal pages.
June 2014 – Present
Volunteer, Various organizations
• Stage Design, community art projects, art groups and meet-ups
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RESIDENCIES / WORKSHOPS
2022
• Mixed Media Journaling – Northern High School, Durham, NC (grades 9-12)
• Mixed Media Salt Painting – Summer Camp, Durham Public Schools (grades K-5)
• Mixed Media Journals – Ignite! Academy, Durham Public Schools, Durham, NC (grades 6-8)
• Mixed Media Journaling – Wayne County Boys and Girls Club, NCMA, Raleigh, NC (grades 6-8)
2021
• Mixed Media Journals – Ignite! Academy, Durham Public Schools, Durham, NC (grades 6-8)
• Let’s Mix It Up – Operation Summer Learning, Durham, Public Schools (grades 6-8)
2019
• Mixed Media Art Journaling – The Scrap Exchange, Durham, NC (adults)
• Creating Affirmation Cards – Relaxing In Art Studio, Durham, NC (adults)
• Mixed Media Art Journaling – Relaxing In Art Studio, Durham, NC (adults)
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2018
• Mixed Media Art Journaling – The Scrap Exchange, Durham, NC (adults)
• Creating Affirmation Cards – Relaxing In Art Studio, Durham, NC (adults)
• Mixed Media Art Journaling – Relaxing In Art Studio, Durham, NC (adults)
• Introduction to Sewing – The Scrap Exchange, Durham, NC (adults)
maria@relaxinginart.com
https://www.relaxinginart.com
1703 Chapel Hill Road, Durham, NC 27707
Durham
919-641-3592
As artists, we thrive on asking the question, “What if?” The artists in this program will also have an opportunity to answer “what-if.” By applying critical thinking skills, participants will create art using a variety of household items that might otherwise be considered trash. The class will write about their personal experiences of working with the materials and reflect on what they’ve learned by answering a series of prompts pertaining to the exercise and leave with a unique work of art full of texture they will be proud to display.
Maria Geary
919-641-3592
relaxinginart@gmail.com
Please contact Maria Geary to book your preferred dates.
Classes will take place Monday – Friday; 8:00AM – 4PM
Large tables are preferred but able to work with desks and chairs; reasonable proximity from workshop area to water source for clean-up and water changes.
School facility or activity site (ex: Boys and Girls Club)
$125 per instruction hour + materials
Apply creative and critical thinking skills to artistic expression.
Create art using a variety of tools, media, and processes, safely and appropriately.
Grades 6-8): Analyze the potential outcome of positive stress management techniques
(Grades 9-12): Create positive stress management strategies
ELA-Literacy.WHST.6-8.10
ELA-Literacy.WHST.9-10.5
A minimum fee of $100 will be charged for program cancellation if not cancelled within 15 business days of contracted date. If supplies were purchased in preparation for the program, the contracting party will be required to reimburse for all materials purchased.