
Valentine Svihalek
Abstract Painter, Educator, Founder
The Story
Valentine is a Belgian and American abstract painter, international educator, community director, podcast host, author, and mother of two. 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 and mentorship with Multimedia Artist, Isadora Stowe provided the foundation for her work. Passionate about education and connecting people with opportunities, Valentine founded the Art Connect Women’s Collective (formerly Art Mums Europe) and the Art Connect Society. Inspired by her community work, she published Mama Meditations: The Imperfect Artist Mother Journey, Mindful Mantras, and The Bright Side: Affirmations For Overcoming as reflections on postpartum experience. She founded the Bella Valentina Artist Residency Program. Valentine has exhibited her abstract paintings and poetry in galleries in Europe, with the Jewish Museum Prague, Canadian BHA Gallery, curated solo and group exhibits. She’s been published in international art magazines. In 2022, she published Painting Our World, US: An Artist Diary, and was longlisted for the Women United Art Prize. She hosts the Art Mamas and Art Sisters Podcasts and is a member of artist organizations and galleries such as Spilt Milk Gallery, The Art Queens Society, Create Magazine, Artist-Mother Network, ARIM, Victory Art Gallery.

Exhibitions
Power Lies Within – Curated Solo – Women United Art Movement 2022
Like A Mother – Curated Group – BHA Gallery Canada 2022
Vanish – Curated Group – Victory Art Netherlands 2022
US: An Artist Diary – Curated Group – Kavarna Pole Czechia 2022
The Colors Of Us – Curated Group – Art Mums Europe 2022
Speaking Through My Hands – Curated Group – Women United 2022
European Day Of Culture – Solo – Jewish Museum Prague 2021
Underwater – Solo – CompanyArt Gallery Bratislava 2021
Arts Of Women – Curated Group – Impact Hub Brno 2020
Colors Of Femininity – Duo – Podnik Cafe 2021
Park Lane Cafe – Solo 2020
Magical Places – Trio 2020
La Casa Verde – Group 2020
Podnebi – Solo 2019
Kabinet Muz – Solo 2019
Stara Pekarna – Solo 2018
Vinna Galerie – Solo 2018
Confessions – Duck Bar – Solo 2017 – 2018
Authored
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