The Story

Valentine Svihalek is a Belgian and American abstract painter, international educator, podcast host, and mother. Living and teaching in diverse communities around the world, she cultivated a desire for discovery and development. After the birth of her first child in a village surrounded by people who spoke a different language, she felt isolated. Supported by the Artist Residency In Motherhood Program, turning inward she developed a process of artmaking that liberates expressive energy and establishes connection. This experience, combined with graduate studies in philosophy and postgraduate studies in teaching, literacy, and culture in San Diego provided the foundation for her work. Passionate about education, connecting people and opportunities, Valentine founded Art Mums Europe. She leads the AME Mastermind and is a collaborator with Art Mums United. Inspired by her community work, she published The Imperfect Artist Mother Journey as a reflection on postpartum experience. Valentine has exhibited her work in galleries in Europe, with the Jewish Museum Prague, Canadian BHA Gallery, curated exhibits, and The Huts Magazine. She is a host of the Art Mums United Podcast and a member of a variety of directories and artist organizations such as Spilt Milk Gallery, The Art Queens Society, Create Magazine, Artist-Mother Network, ARIM, and Victory Art Gallery (NL).