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.
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
