Stitch-A-Portrait

Amber Santos is an art educator with over 25 years of experience spanning foundational studio art, community mural projects, Art Intensive camps, and more than 15 years of online teaching. Since joining HomeLearners Network (HLN) as a pilot project contributor in 2021, she has developed over 65 multidisciplinary art activities across drawing, painting, textiles, printmaking, art history, and sculpture. Deeply rooted in seasonal rhythms, nostalgia, and ancestral teachings passed down by her grandmothers, Amber’s practice is a rich tapestry of her heritage. She blends a German sensibility for paper craft and wooden toys with a profound appreciation for plants and their teachings. Through reclaiming her Métis and Anishinaabe culture through family relationships, she has embraced beading, stitching, and an even deeper connection to her garden and the natural world. Having grown up in an analogue world of tape decks and landline doodles, Amber seamlessly bridges the gap between tactile, hands-on creation and modern digital environments. Her curriculum integrates technical fundamentals like colour theory and composition with somatic, wellness-centered art practices. Dedicated to sustainability and creative empowerment, Amber emphasizes eco-conscious studio habits—including scavenging, recycling, and respectful harvesting. By exploring art history through an intersectional lens, she fosters inclusive spaces that invite learners to discover joy, express their authentic voices, and tap into their innate wisdom through the creative power of their hands and imagination. Amber has a lifelong professional art practice that includes painting murals, art shows, commissioned work, and curating the Nelson International Mural Festival for 7 years. When you browse her art activities, take note that they were all made by her hands and imagination:)

When I'm not making art, find me listening to music on full blast in the kitchen, dancing and making food for my family:)