Heather Reese

About Your Instructor:

Heather Reese has enjoyed a lengthy career as a self-taught visual and performance artist for over 20 years, as well as art educator and certified art therapy practitioner.  She has taught well over a thousand classes and workshops for schools and non-profit organizations, using art as a channel toward healing and growth.  Recently, Reese has taken a pivotal turn in her creative career and her first of four (poetry) books will be released in August of 2024, followed by three more by September of 2025.  Her passion to help women with PTSD and mental health challenges due to trauma led her to host 3-day women's creative healing retreats, which began in October of 2022, with 10 on the books between October 2024 and December 2025.  Most of all, Reese loves to empower others to discover their authentic self through the power of words. Whether through journaling, poetry or recitation, Reese instructs in a style that allows her students the freedom to breathe, create and be heard.

Heather has been the recipient of multiple grants, through GCAC of central Ohio, and Woodmen Life.  She was also chosen for TedX talks, Columbus Women, in 2016.

Heather’s Teaching Philosophy:

I strongly believe that teachers have the power to build or destroy a students desire to learn, regardless of subject.  Every human has a voice and they need to know that their voice, thoughts and opinions matter.  I do not allow the word "wrong" in my classroom.   If I see that a student's work has room for improvement, my take is the following:  What a GREAT idea!  Let's build on that!   When a student experiences a creative block, I offer alternatives for them to get back in the game :)