Valentine Svihalek
Visual Artist and Educator
The Story
Valentine is a Belgian and American contemporary visual artist, international educator, and mother. Living and teaching in diverse communities around the world, she cultivated a desire for discovery and development. In 2015, after the birth of her first child in a village surrounded by people who spoke a different language, she felt isolated. Turning inward, she developed a process of artmaking that liberates expressive energy and establishes connection, inspired by human connection and elements in nature such as water and coral reefs. Her approach is influenced by graduate studies in philosophy and postgraduate studies in teaching, literacy, and culture in San Diego. In 2020, that expressive energy led to the founding of the Mama Create collective. The community facilitated opportunities for English speaking creatives in the Czech Republic. That same year, she published The Imperfect Artist Mother Journey as a reflection on postpartum experience. In September 2021, she joined Mona Lerch as co-creative director of Art Mums United. Valentine believes the key to living well is trusting your voice and embracing your passions.
"I wish for everyone to embrace themselves fully, unearthing the natural beauty and energy within."
