Teaching Philosophy 

As an occupational therapist I work towards designing classes which are developmentally appropriate for specific age groups and use evidence-based practices specific to growing creativity, innovation and imagination.  Opportunities to practice habits which grow our creativity muscles are infused throughout my classes taught for young people.

The Milieu 

Play-based art-full experiences give us the time and space to find joy, deep focus, respond to curiosity and to bring us closer to childhood wonder.  I remind myself and my students to turn UP  the wee voice inside that tells us our creative ideas are unique, precious and deserve to be honored.

Themes

I encourage students to dive into….
* their favorite things
* the intersection of art and science
* using art to make a statement about what they care about

About the Instructor

Cyndi Strid MS OTR/L is a trained artist, and  licensed occupational therapist in Oregon and Washington. Students with special needs are encouraged to apply.

For students with special needs or high-risk populations, Individual Education Plan Objectives can be integrated into art activities, upon request. 

Learn More About    View Student Gallery   REGISTER YOUR STUDENT FOR A CLASS NOW!

Cyndi Strid

Mixed Media Artist
 

Academic Qualifications

2010   Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) Training,  PD1 San Francisco, CA

2007  Graduate of Oregon College of Arts and Craft (Drawing & Painting)

1985   M.S. in EDUCATION- Curriculum Development, Portland State University

1977   B.S. in OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, University of Washington

Juried Exhibitions

2016 Honorable Mention, “Eastern Bumble Bee” @ Best of Gorge Show, Columbia Center for Arts

2015  2nd Place Prize – “Peace Rose Blanket” @ Finding Peace Exhibition, Columbia Gorge Community College

2015   People’s Choice Award – 1st Place, “Calling the Ancestors”, Koobdooga-Dark Night of Shadow Catcher, White Salmon Library, WA

2014   “Best of the Gorge”, Columbia Center for the Arts, Hood River, OR

2014   “Gorge Artists Open Studios ”, Columbia Gorge, OR & WA

2013   Honorable Mention, “Artists of the Gorge Exhibition”, Stevenson, WA

2013   “Gorge Artists Open Studios”, Columbia Gorge,  OR & WA

2011  “Oregon’s Endangered Frogs”, The Dalles Art Center, OR

2007   Selected Oregon Art School Graduates, Blackfish Gallery, Portland, OR

 

Additional exhibition information available upon request.

 CYNDI STRID, MS, OTR/L
Artist & Occupational Therapist
Academic Qualifications:

Picture Writing – Self Study 2012-2016
Private Eye in STEM Curriculum ( Graduate Course PSU) 2012
Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) in Studio Arts (Cont. Ed) 2012
Visual Thinking Strategies Facilitator Training PDI1 2010
Certificate of Craft-Oregon College of Art and Craft (’99 – ‘07)
Mixed Media skills:  drawing, painting, printmaking, glass and ceramics

M.S. in Education, (August 1985), Portland State University,
Graduated with academic honors in Curriculum Design & Development

B.S. in Occupational Therapy, (June 1977), U of Washington,
Seattle, WA. Graduated with academic honors

 

Relevant Art Educator Experiences

2016  Parkdale 2nd Grade Classroom – Animals in their Habitat Book Making
2016  National Printmaker’s Conference
2015  WS Youth Center   Process Painting Experiences
2013-2014    Columbia Center for the Arts, Education & Outreach Chair
2014    Columbia Center for the Arts – Personal Narrative Project
2014    WS Youth Center Portraits & Nevelson Project
2013    North Shore Café – Community Art Events 3-8 y/o
2013    WS Youth Center – Surrealism in the Garden Project
2013    Columbia Center for the Arts – Create-a-Skin (STEAM)
1977–2017    Licensed Occupational Therapist – OR and WA
2012    Process Painting (experiential)
2010-2011    Visual Thinking Strategies  (VTS) Facilitator – PDI1
2010-2011    Evidence-Based Curriculum: Picture Writing & PrivateEye
2011    Right-Brain Initiative Workshop (June 2011)
2009    Handwriting Without Tears Workshop

 

Employment Overview 2009 – 2016

2016  Parkdale Elementary School,  2nd Grade Picture Writing and VTS, Hood River, OR
2013 – 2016  White Salmon Youth Center Arts Education, WA
2013    Columbia Center for the Arts – Create-a-Skin (STEAM) After-school program) OR
2007-Current   Strid Creative Studios – Art exhibitions-professional
2010-2012    VTS Facilitator (volunteer) – Forest Park and Winterhaven School
2011    Maya Angelou After School Group – Book Making

References:  Available upon Request

Learn More About:  Cyndi’s Art Education Philosophy       View Youth Class Artworks 

REGISTER YOUR STUDENT FOR AN ART CLASS NOW!