Carien Quiroga: Arts Integrated Mosaic Mural Residency

South African-born multimedia artist Carien Quiroga guides students in the  design and creation of mosaic artworks, including murals, stepping stones, and translucent glass art. Students apply problem-solving, teamwork, and decision-making skills as they create a lasting visual legacy for their community. Using glass and ceramic tile, fused glass, embossed metal, or recycled elements, projects are customized and collaborative, yet allow for individual input.

Carien Quiroga’s residency at Laurel Woods Elementary School was extremely successful. Carien worked with the 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th grade students to develop individual mosaic pieces that were later integrated into a larger 5’x12’ mural. The theme of the mural was “The building blocks of life and Laurel Woods”. During the residency, Carien provided a very positive energy with every student. The students were extremely engaged, and every single student was able to develop their own piece as well as assemble background/filler of the mural and truly felt as if they were a part of the experience. Not only was Carien wonderful with the students, but she developed a strong relationship with myself and the other art teacher working on the mural… I would recommend her to other schools and teachers in a heartbeat.

– Art Teacher, Laurel Woods Elementary School (HCPSS)

We loved working with Carien and are very proud of what the 4th and 5th graders accomplished with her. The mural is beautiful and far exceeded our expectations.

– PTA Cultural Arts Chair, Atholton Elementary School

Carien Quiroga was born in Pretoria, South Africa and relocated to the USA in 2002, and has since worked as both a multi-media artist and art educator. Ms. Quiroga’s award winning work, widely exhibited locally and internationally, explores the feminine principle and her experiences as a woman as she engages in a visual narrative regarding the human condition, social justice, and environmental issues. Ms. Quiroga is the recipient of the Montgomery County Executive’s 2014 Outstanding Artist or Scholar Award. She is also on the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County and Maryland State Arts Council Teaching Artist Rosters.

As an educator, Ms. Quiroga teaches a variety of Visual Art and Mosaic-making workshops and classes to all ages and abilities, locally and internationally. She works extensively as a Teaching Artist in schools and with community organizations, leading mosaic mural residencies and Visual Art Workshops. As an Artist-in-Residence (Artivate: Project Youth ArtReach) she teaches at detention centers and correctional facilities, working with youthful offenders, women, and in the Crisis Intervention Unit. Ms. Quiroga works for the Maryland State Department of Education – Office of Fine Arts as Master Teacher, Instructional Coach, and Visual Art Lead Teacher in the Maryland Centers for Creative Classrooms program. After obtaining a BA (Criminology & Psychology) from the University of Pretoria in 1989, she was employed in the Occupational Therapy Department of a Senior Citizen Care Center, focusing on the recreation, education, and stimulation of mentally and physically disabled older adults. While working at the Care Center, Ms. Quiroga returned to the University of South Africa, obtaining a BA (Fine Arts) with distinction in 2001. She is currently working towards a Masters in Visual Art through the University of South Africa, researching Artmaking in Correctional Facilities and Intersecting Communities as Practice and Empowerment. Ms. Quiroga’s artistic work, whether in an educational environment, expressed through her own creative practices, or as part of public artworks, reflects her passion as an Artist-Educator and a strong belief in the power of art to transform lives.

Artist’s website: Carien Quiroga