Gracie Rhoads – Expressive Arts Therapist/Facilitator

she/her/hers

Description

Gracie Rhoads has been teaching art to all ages for over 15 years in San Diego. Originally from North Carolina, she moved out here after receiving a BA in Studio Art and Spanish from Hollins University in Virginia. A few years after being in San Diego, Gracie entered a Masters program at the Expressive Arts Institute, also studying at The European Graduate School in Saas Fee Switzerland for 3 summers. During her internship, she worked at various assisted living facilities around town and graduated with a MA in Expressive Arts Therapy, with a minor in Psychology, and a concentration in coaching and consulting.

In 2008, Gracie started teaching at a K-12 school, and was the primary art teacher for K-8 for 13 years. She was simultaneously still facilitating arts groups in various assisted living facilities in town. Through all of her experiences, she has taught just about every medium of art to almost every age. In 2022, Gracie started teaching miniature ceramics on miniature pottery wheels and still continues those classes. She loves all things miniature, all things colorful, and still teaches a variety of different mediums including miniature ceramics, handbuilding with clay, polymer clay classes, weaving, painting, and mixed media… She also has a booth at the La Mesa Farmers Market, and loves getting to share her craft with others.
Gracie is passionate about every medium of art and loves teaching. She enjoys helping others play in the arts and facilitating the powerful healing aspect of the arts. She is excited to join the Musical Biographies team at Villa Musica, working with people impacted by dementia and Alzheimers as an Expressive Arts facilitator and continuing to work with one of her favorite populations.