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
This residency is full of play! Students will have the opportunity to learn the Japanese Stab Binding technique to create a 10 page journal that they can call their own. This program connects great with English and Visual Arts Programming.
Day 1: Setting Sail – Creating Your Art Journal.
In our first session, students will craft their own unique art journal to accompany them on their artistic journey. We begin by learning an easy binding technique to create the journal.
Day 2: Expressive Art Techniques
This session will teach participants how to use art as a language for emotions and thoughts. We’ll explore expressive art techniques, such as stenciling, mark making, and collage to get our creative juices flowing.
Day 3: Write Right Now
Today, we discuss the benefits of journaling and the importance of journaling prompts, stream of consciousness writing and why these simple tasks are of lifelong importance. We will discover the diverse sources of inspiration and how to stay inspired throughout our creative journeys. Participants will learn how to observe the world around them and translate their observations into captivating art journal entries.
Day 4: Intro to Mixed Media
Welcome to the world of mixed media! Today we delve into tactile texture and play with mediums such as glass beads, modeling paste and heavy gesso.
Day 5: Being Transparent
In our last day together, we will explore the harmonious combination of colored pencils, inks and aquabrushes to create more unique and captivating artworks in your art journal.
Maria Geary
maria@relaxinginart.com
Please contact Maria Geary to book preferred dates.
Monday – Friday 7:00 – 4:30 PM; Afterschool hours: 3:30 – 6PM
Classroom or art environment with large tables and chairs and reasonable proximity to water source.
School classroom or activity club (ex: Boys and Girls Club)
Residency: 5 days for $1950 – $2100*
Additional fees:
—$15 charge for additional students over the count of 25 to cover additional materials
*Grades 4-8 will have pre-punched sewing holes / Grades 9-12 will be required to create sewing holes using provided awl.
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.