“Take chances! Make mistakes! Get messy!” Miss Viva Virtuoso has adopted the iconic words of eccentric 4th-grade science teacher of the Magic Schoolbus book series, Ms. Frizzle, when it comes to her approach to art, life, and education. Viva became acquainted with the arts from early childhood growing up a performer trained in classical music and theater giving her a foundation to explore creativity in diverse ways to express herself and her passions. What started as a small series of self-portraits in a notebook lead to a love of experimenting with mediums, textures, colors, and layers. Miss Viva began exploring the visual arts in college while studying early education and has continued to expand her repertoire of mediums by regularly participating in creative workshops and programs. Whether she’s embroidering a painted canvas, treating wood with watercolor, making wearable costumes from tissue paper, or directing homemade DIY puppet shows, Viva is a never-ending source of self-expression and creativity who is energized by working with her students to help them freely and artistically express themselves.