Hi, I’m Maria Padilla, the owner and teacher at Expresarte Kids. Art has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember. At 18, I started teaching kids in my parents’ garage in Venezuela, and it was there that I discovered my love for working with children. Seeing the spark on their faces when they create something amazing fills me with joy!

Today, I’m a proud 3rd-grade teacher in a public school and the owner of a cozy, home-based art studio, a dream that came to life a little after the pandemic. Teaching art feels like my happy place, it’s when I’m truly in my element. For me, drawing and painting are like active meditation; they calm me, inspire me, and bring me so much happiness.

Through Expresarte Kids, I hope to share that magic with every child who walks through our doors. I want kids to see how creating art can be fun, calming, and empowering. Let’s make something beautiful together!