Today we’d like to introduce you to Alia Arbas
Hi Alia, 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?
It’s hard to clearly articulate the story of my life, as there are so many twists and turns and angles to explore. The happiest times of my childhood years were filled with nature, art and athleticism. As a family unit we would camp, hike, explore, read, create, and though our travel was often limited to the distance we could drive, our minds could fly endless distances through our curious inquests. We would study tide pool creatures in Mexico and hike mountains in Yosemite together. On the weekends we would collect insects for our dad’s research lab and photograph the beauty of nature with our mom. I was heavily inspired by my dad’s scientific view of the world as a neurobiologist and professor, and my mom’s creative and spiritual connection to life as a nurse and artist. Through their influence I developed a creative and curious lens with which I now view the world.
Another huge part of my identity developed during this time and continues to this day. At the age of 8 I began competing in artistic swimming. The combination of physical art, creative performances, choreography, and beauty were an intense draw. Through hard work, determination and a rigorous training program, I developed into an elite athlete winning national titles, scholarships, an All-American Award, and having the honor of competing internationally. As an adult, I continue to coach, choreograph, and compete as a masters athlete, and have won silver medals at Masters World Championships with my sister by my side. My athletic journey has consistently reinforced just how far I can go towards my goals both as an individual and as a member of a strong and supportive community.
Moving through my 20s and 30s with an endless draw to know more about the world around me, I earned multiple degrees, including an associates degree in Early Childhood Education, BA in Art History/Studio Art, MA in Marriage and Family Therapy/Art Therapy, and MA in Education with a specialization in literacy. I also began my career as an Art Therapist and then later as an Educator. Somehow I also managed the time to start a family had two incredible children, who I have been lucky enough to share my love of nature and the arts with.
And now, here we are. I have been lucky enough to develop my dream business. The Eco Atelier is a lush backyard art studio and garden in which I am able to hold space for beautiful community experiences. I have earned a certificate in Holistic Healing and Herbalism and am currently studying Ecotherapy. It is easy now to look back and see how my path moved me forward into this phenomenal moment. I’m so grateful.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
So here are those twists and turns…to start, though never formerly diagnosed, I was selectively mute as a young child. This made me extremely close to my family, but social interactions were much more difficult for me. I was 14 when my dad and a close family friend died in a tragic accident. I performed CPR on him in the final moments of his life. It was Father’s Day. This was clearly a pivotal moment in my life and affected the way I move through the world in many ways.
Though you never fully recover from the loss of a parent as a child, therapeutic art was a huge resource for my self expression and grief. Ironically, being a performer also helped me find alternative ways to express myself and I was able to work through my communication limitations within a safe community. I often say that nowadays I’m making up for lost time because for the most part, I love sharing and chatting with people. I want the Eco Atelier to be a safe space where everyone in the community can come and feel welcome. A place to express, escape, heal, grow, play…whatever you may need in the moment.
I am forever grateful for and inspired by the friends and family members who were there for me when times were tough. Most recently, I went through a divorce and became a single mother. We have worked hard to build a beautiful, supportive, loving family and I am proud of the way we moved through the shift in our family.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The Eco Atelier is a labor of love for me. I’ve always dreamt of finding a way to hold creative space in nature for people to come together as a community. My work is inspired by Eco Art Therapy, Wildschooling and Herbalism. I love the space we have created in West LA, but we also take our work mobile, bringing our creative offerings to natural spaces in and around the greater Los Angeles are. We’ve even provided a creative opportunity to a group of herbalists in the Santa Cruz Mountains. We’ve just completed our third summer, were able to increase our creative professional team, became a certified child care center and opened our curated gift shop. Each week is different, and so far we’ve had art in the garden groups of all ages, camps, birthday parties, baby showers, families, athletic teams, yoga, storytelling, herbalism gatherings, visiting artists, music circles, solstice parties and even a movie premiere. I am so excited and passionate about the work that I do and I can’t wait to see the way the Eco Atelier transforms in the years to come.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Many of the lessons I have learned throughout my life center around the importance of community. I truly believe in the power of love and respect and try to guide all that I do with these values in mind. The more connected to ourselves, each other and the natural world we are, the more likely we are to love and take care of all three.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ecoatelier.art
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atelierista.alia/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atelierista.alia/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Ecoatelier
Image Credits
Audra Arbas
