Paola Anderson

All my life, I have loved working with my hands. 

Growing up in Costa Rica, my favorite things have always been nature and art.  I live in a small town called Palmares, surrounded by coffee plants, fruit trees, and wild animals.  Inspired by the beauty in my own backyard, my favorite materials to work with are cabuya, natural seeds, and the gemstones that are found in the mountains, in the heart of my beloved country. 

As a child, I was always looking for something to make.  In school, I expressed my love of art by taking traditional art classes.  I continued exploring art in high school, by taking classes there too.  At that time, my family moved to New York City.  There, I enrolled in BOCES, a specialized program where I dedicated my life to art, design, and photography.  Upon moving back to Costa Rica I then attended Instituto Nacional de Aprendizaje and the Escuela Casa del Artista.  Always an adventurer, I’ve spent time traveling around Costa Rica and Nicaragua, where I was inspired by the world’s most colorful local and international artists.

I am a mother of two beautiful girls who love art, every form of it.  I am so excited to teach and share my knowledge and my culture.