Today we’d like to introduce you to Jac Alva.
Hi Jac, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My involvement in the arts began at a young age, channeling my creative spirit through drawing and painting. However, it wasn’t until my late twenties, after the end of a serious relationship, that I revisited my creative roots as a means of coping with depression.
I developed a portfolio of psychologically and spiritually dense abstract paintings exploding with color, raw energy, and emotion. With a quest to heal from personal trauma, I conveyed various introspective themes in my artwork such as memory, nostalgia, and grief. Healing through the arts, I continued to experiment with other mediums in artmaking as well as ventured into other roles in the arts, such as curating, exhibition planning, and community organizing with other emerging artists. As my involvement grew in the Orange County arts scene, I realized that my multi-passionate pursuits aligned with a greater purpose: to educate and lead others to their own healing journeys through the arts. These intentions manifested into my teaching brand Healing He(art) with Jac Alva Art, a trauma-informed arts education platform integrating social-emotional learning, art history, and open-ended artmaking tailored for children and adults.
As the founder of Healing He(art) with Jac Alva Art, I have made it my mission to create art lessons that encourage critical thinking and diverse project outcomes. This year I became the Artist in Residence at The Muckenthaler Cultural Center in Fullerton. As Artist in Residence, I have increased my student body considerably, teaching over 500 students a year through elementary school art programs, home school visits, and arts camps. It has been a rewarding experience to see how students work with the materials and express themselves.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I knew that I wanted to provide students with a different approach to artmaking, one that didn’t pressure them to generate the exact same outcome as the instructor. There’s so much beauty and wisdom when there’s diverse creative results. Having a business plan for Healing He(art) with Jac Alva Art is just one part of the goal. I wasn’t sure how to execute this vision. I spent my time volunteering within the field of arts education, observing different teaching styles and taking note of what students were missing from their lesson plans. As I began building my own clientele, I really took to heart what students wanted and needed within the arts. I gradually developed lesson plans and integrated unique materials into their classes. Through trial and error, my vision became concrete. My creative philosophy began to align with my business.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am the founder and lead instructor of my unique teaching brand Healing He(art) with Jac Alva Art, a trauma-informed arts education platform integrating social-emotional learning, art history, and open-ended artmaking tailored for children and adults. As a multi-passionate member of the arts community, I am known for networking with other artists and featuring their styles of work as sources of inspiration to my students. In doing so, I want to show them that artists can live and thrive producing unique artworks and following their passions. Thus, by removing the shroud of mystery, students see tangible results among those who have careers in the arts.
Aside from teaching at The Muckenthaler Cultural Arts Center and other recreational centers, Healing He(art) with Jac Alva Art offers classes in a variety of mediums and styles. Prospective clients can book classes through my website https://www.jacalvaart.com/about-healing-heart.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
As the 2023 Artist in Residence at The Muckenthaler Cultural Center, this program has provided me with opportunities to experiment in my teaching style as well as content development. I sincerely thank The Muckenthaler Cultural Center’s Chief Education Officer, as well as the center’s other staff members for their support in my teaching and creative endeavors. I also want to thank Stay Gallery, Muzeo Museum & Cultural Center, OC United, as well as all of my clients in being part of my brand’s evolution.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jacalvaart.com/about-healing-heart
- Instagram: @healingheartwithjacalvaart
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@healingheartwithjacalvaart
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@jacalvaart
