Meet Our Lead Artist

Hello! My name is Tesni and I am an artist and teacher at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond specializing in fun-making and learning for all ages! I have the most amazing job of being the Lead Artist of the SOHO: Space Of Her Own program. 

 

For two years I have been able to work with inspiring young women from Gilpin and Creighton court, and at the same time become friends with equally inspiring women from all corners of our Richmond community. Each Thursday night of the school year, it is a privilege to be able to lead these big and little sister pairs into relationships of mutual learning, respect, discovery, fun, and laughter through art.

When not at SOHO, I'm teaching sewing and pattern making classes to all ages, various paper mache and art classes to cute and creative kiddies from William Byrd Community House and beyond, or exciting projects to the inspiring and vivacious residents at the Virginia Home.

I'm inspired by being in the Virginian outdoors, challenging myself to new experiences, learning from my talented and kind friends, and traveling and collecting beautiful objects and textiles from around the world. I'm so grateful for the amazing things I'm able to do!

In the summer of 2013, Tesni received the Master Teacher Award here at the Visual Arts Center of RIchmond. Her kindness, passion and creativity are felt by all whom she has taught over her many years with VisArts.

 To see classes taught by Tesni, click HERE.

SOHO: Space of Her Own: The Interviews

 This video was made by Briget Ganske who was a SOHO mentor last year.  It takes only a few short minutes and gives great insight into this fantastic program -- take a look. 

To see more of Briget's videos go here.

We Need Mentors for the 2013-14 SOHO Program!

SOHO: Space of Her Own at VisArts will be starting up in late October! We are so excited to continue to offer this unique, amazing program here at the Visual Arts Center.

We are still accepting applications for new mentors!  Check out the "Become A Mentor" page to learn how.  Here's what some of our past mentors have had to say about the program:

"I could write a book about the rewards of SOHO, but I’ll just say the biggest rewards of SOHO was feeling comfortable, safe and loved.  To feel these things and trust those feelings is hard to explain and definitely nothing I could have expected."

"I just want to say that I am so thankful, grateful, humbled, appreciative, excited, so happy (the list of amazing feelings go on) to have had SOHO in my life.  It was an amazing experience that will be with me for a lifetime. It was truly magic that all these women came together and did what we did."  

[When asked What did you learn, or what breakthroughs did you experience, that might benefit future SOHO mentors?] "Elements of trust and patience and being true to yourself.  All of these were things SOHO helped me develop and that translated to all other areas of my life – starting my own business, getting engaged, finding a greater sense of peace and belonging."

"I am very thankful for SOHO in providing such a great gift of human understanding."

As a mentor, you not only get the experience of sharing your creativity with a girl in our community.  You will also receive leadership development training from our program partner, The Bounce Collective. Plus you will become part of an amazing group of women within Richmond's art and business communities who will be mentoring right alongside you.  

So get involved! Become a part of this wonderful program or refer a woman in your life to become a mentor.