ANNA WIANCKO-CHASMAN

Anna’s love of art and the creative process has been a major part of her life since she was a child.

She believes the powerful communication and expression of art enriches both the artist and the public. Anna tries to speak out about critical and difficult issues facing people and the planet, but also balances this with art that is whimsical and humorous. She enjoys the exploration of metaphor and irony in all their permutations.

Anna works with clay, mixed media, and found objects to create unusual and expressive sculptures and assemblages. She draws most of her inspiration from a deep and lifelong love of nature and animals. She teaches classes in clay and mixed media to adults and children and is also an art therapist and art therapy supervisor. Following the tragic loss of her daughter to cancer in 1989, she returned to college and in 1992 earned a master’s degree in art therapy, later working for hospice in Portland. Several years after that, she began private practice, specializing in grief and loss. Anna believes her own experience and the experience of helping others through such difficult and challenging times have enriched her own personal growth and expression and given her an understanding of deep human connections. The process of making art can have a deep healing impact on the artist.