Valentine Svihalek

Valentine Svihalek

Contemporary Visual Artist, Educator, Advocate

The Story

Valentine is a Belgian and American abstract painter, international educator, and founder & director of Art Connect Society. After the birth of her first child in a Czech village surrounded by people who spoke a different language, she felt isolated. Supported by the Artist Residency In Motherhood Program, she developed a process of artmaking that liberates expressive energy and establishes connection. Graduate studies in philosophy and postgraduate studies in teaching, literacy, and culture in San Diego provided the foundation for her work. Passionate about education and connecting people with opportunities, Valentine founded the Art Connect Women’s Collective. Inspired by her community work, she published Mama Meditations: The Imperfect Artist Mother Journey and The Bright Side: Affirmations For Overcoming as reflections on postpartum experience. She founded the Bella Valentina Artist Residency Program, bringing together visual and performing artists in the Czech countryside. She exhibits widely in galleries & cafes in Europe, including Jewish Museum Prague and Art Gallery Bratislava. She’s been featured in International Art Magazines and podcasts including Colour Me Happy & The Teaching Artist. She hosts the Art Sisters Podcast. In 2022, she published Painting Our World and was longlisted for Women United Art Prize. She’s collected internationally and is a professional member of Spilt Milk, Art Queens Society, ARIM, Create Magazine, VA Gallery. 

The Story

Exhibitions

Spilt Milk Gallery – 2023 – 2024

Kumst – 2023

OpenArt Fest – Prague 2023

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes – Trio – Dudes & Barbies Gallery Vnitro Block Prague 2023

Galerie Chodba – 2023 – 2024

That Fresh Feeling – Solo – Cafe Atelier CZ 2023

Power Lies Within – Solo – Women United Art Movement 2022

Like A Mother – Group – BHA Gallery CA 2022

Vanish – Group – Victory Art NL 2022

US: An Artist Diary – Group – Kavarna Pole Czechia 2022

The Colors Of Us – Group – Art Mums Europe 2022

Speaking Through My Hands – Group – Women United 2022

Stronger Together – Group – Art Mums United 2022

European Day Of Culture – Solo – Jewish Museum Prague 2021

Underwater – Solo – CompanyArt Gallery Bratislava 2021

Arts Of Women – Group – Impact Hub Brno 2020

Colors Of Femininity – Duo – Podnik Cafe 2021

Spark Joy – Park Lane Cafe – Solo 2020

Magical Places – Trio 2020

La Casa Verde – Group 2020

Podnebi – Solo 2019

Panelak Of Love – Kabinet Muz – Solo 2019

Stara Pekarna – Solo 2018

Confessions Part II – Vinna Galerie – Solo 2018

Confessions – Duck Bar – Solo 2017 – 2018

Authored

2023 ACS Art Zine For Freedom Seekers

2022 Painting Our World: Personal Stories Of Artistic Ingenuity & Triumph

2022 Us: An Artist Diary

2022 The Bright Side: Affirmations For Overcoming

2020 Mama Meditations: The Imperfect Artist Mother Journey

2020 Mindful Mantras

FOUNDER & DIRECTOR

"I wish for everyone to embrace themselves fully, unearthing the natural beauty and energy within."

Sign up for the newsletter