Melanie Rivers Art

Instructor

I'm glad you are here

Hello, I am from the Squamish First Nation in Vancouver, Canada. My ancestral name is Tiyaltelwet, passed down from my great-great-grandmother. I live and work in my community, drawing from traditional teachings and ancestry in my art practice. I am also of Scottish ancestry. I believe we are all creative in our own way, and I’m deeply passionate about creating gentle, supportive spaces for women to engage with art-making. I am an experienced teacher and a trained Expressive Arts Practitioner. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to contribute lessons to large, collaborative online art courses alongside artists I deeply admire, including Tamara Laporte, Ivy Newport and Kara Bullock. These collaborations have been a meaningful way to share art as a supportive, connective practice with a wide community of creatives. My 27 years of work in Indigenous health, along with experience in curriculum design and instruction, inform how I design my lessons. I guide the creative process with care — step by step — always mindful of pace, nervous system, and self-kindness. I believe art can be a place of rest. My work is grounded in nature, reflection, and the strength of women.