Join us on Wednesday, June 17th 2026 at 7 PM Eastern Time for Animal Portraits that Tell a Story — A Visual Arts Workshop with artist Garima Naredi in Partnership with Path with Art.
This one-session workshop invites participants to explore their connection with animals and birds through drawing. Using pencil and colored media, we’ll focus on observing and sketching an animal—whether a familiar companion or one from the wild, farm, or sky—while learning simple techniques to capture its form. Participants will also be encouraged to reflect on personal or cultural connections to their chosen animal and incorporate those ideas into their artwork. No prior drawing experience is needed—just curiosity and a willingness to explore.
Suggested Supplies:
- Pencil
- Colored Media
Garima Naredi is a contemporary artist working primarily in oil paints and charcoal. Her art spans various media and blends a love for realism with narrative depth—each piece inviting a deeper reflection by the viewer. Deeply influenced by Indian spiritual thought and symbolism, her art often centers on female perspectives.
Born and raised in India, she grew up immersed in rich colors, traditions, and cultural storytelling. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and began her creative career as a graphic designer before moving to Seattle, where she deepened her practice through training in Western representational drawing and painting. Her work has been featured in numerous exhibitions, including at prominent venues such as the Seattle Asian Art Museum and the Bellevue Art Museum. She is also the author of a spiritual fantasy graphic novel, currently being submitted to literary agents and publishers.
Passionate about teaching, Garima finds deep fulfillment in building creative connections across cultures and communities. She teaches drawing and painting at the Pratt Fine Arts Center and partners with Path with Art to support healing through artistic expression.
About Mission Belonging Visual Arts Workshops
Join Veteran Artists Valerie Acosta-Gonzalez & Joe Merritt, along with special guests to learn new art techniques on Wednesdays at 7 PM ET. Come hang out in a collaborative group setting and bring what materials you have. No experience necessary!
This program is funded in part by Creative Forces®: NEA Military Healing Arts Network, an initiative of the National Endowment in partnership with the U.S. Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. Creative Forces Community Engagement Grant program is managed by Mid-America Arts Alliance.
Path With Art
Path with Art fosters the restoration of individuals, groups, and society from the effects of trauma through arts engagement and community-building.
Since 2008, Path with Art has been at the forefront of a growing international movement that utilizes the power of art as a means to bring dignity, awareness, and healing to the complexities of the issues surrounding recovery from trauma.
As a long-time leader in this field, the Path with Art model is currently being sought out and recognized by communities both nationally and internationally.
Learn more at pathwithart.org.
Artwork credit: Path with Art participant artist Allene Steinberg's drawing of her cat, Gloria.
