Balance’s Artist in Residence: Rodrigo Santamaría:
Balance’s Artist in Residence: Rodrigo Santamaría
"I was born and raised in Mexico. I moved to Wisconsin 8 years ago. In Mexico I used to work doing art and sensory therapy with kids with multiple disabilities. I also worked in memory care. A friend offered me a job to be a caregiver for a person with Alzheimer's disease. I moved here, fell in love with Wisconsin and never left.
A couple of years ago I was looking for places where I could do art classes. I left my information at Balance and some time later they called me. I have now been with Balance for just over one year.
My older sister Mili, has cerebral palsy. I've always been really close to her and she has always been my motivation. My mom has also been my inspiration. She used to have a school for kids and adults with disabilities. Since I was a kid I was always with her helping her and from a young age I learned to give myself and learn from them.
I think art can do a lot of things for you, besides the aesthetics or making something "pretty". It's the process of doing it that can bring a lot of positive results for whoever is involved. It helps you deal with stress, it helps express emotions, develop social skills, and definitely it improves-self esteem.
All I can say is that every time I come to Balance it makes my day, it makes my week. I love and enjoy each one of the participants. I come to give a class but it's more what I can learn from them. I feel so lucky and thankful to have the opportunity to share some time of my day with all the Balance community.
**Outside of Balance, Rodrigo sits on several Volunteer Boards dedicated to the arts and is a member of Paint on Port in Port Washington.
