Marie is an artist, educator and doctoral student in the Educational Leadership Program at West Chester University. Marie’s dissertation explores how to heal the imagination and nurture creativity. Art is a form of prayer for Marie and creative collaborations are miracles in her life. Marie has served as a visiting artist at several colleges including Brandeis University, Dartmouth College, and Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art.

After receiving her Master of Fine Arts from Pennsylvania State University, Marie lived in Los Angeles working as a scenic artist, costume designer, and art instructor. Marie’s creative adventures included hand-making wedding dresses and inviting passersby to participate in impromptu wedding dress street fittings. Spreading this simple act of creative love brought smiles and led to the exploration of other culturally meaningful garments.  

Collaborations with artists, academics, and religious leaders across faiths and disciplines fueled a rich community-based arts practice leading Marie into service work, including roles as a language teacher for refugees, a hospice companion, and a special education teacher.

As an Interfaith Leadership Fellow, Marie weaves spirituality into campus life through poetry-based mindfulness interventions engaging students, staff, and faculty in dialogue prompted by poetry across faiths, cultures, and time.