Bio

Marla Kleinman, individual spirit of color, began her early art studies at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, she earned her BS in Art Education from Roosevelt University, Chicago, IL and a MS in Education from St Johns University. She has studied with the Sumi-E masters Koho, Mitsuko Bickham, Steve Wada, Wang Dawen and Mr. Jin, Yung Liu, Shirley Pu Wills and Masako Inkyo.

Marla is a founding member and President of the New York Metro Sumi-E Society, a chapter of the Sumi-E society of America. Guiding students to dance with their brush and sing with their colors, Marla has presented hands-on workshops at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden Sakura Matsuri, The American Museum of Natural History, Japan Fest Cherry Blossom Centennial of the gift of cherry trees from Japan to NYC as well a national and local art educator conference.

As an art educator at a small school for students with learning differences, “I believe that everyone has strengths and skills. I want my students to find their strength so that they can confidently find their place in the world. I enjoy that my students gain confidence in social interactions and know that the world values their work by participating in mainstream opportunities.” My students have exhibited in professional Sumi-E exhibits, “Queens Multiple Visions”, Queens Museum of Art, and many art and haiku contest submissions resulting in high profile art awards.  Marla and has been honored with numerous teaching awards is published in School Arts Magazine.

Her paintings have been exhibited at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Queens Museum of Art, Lever House, Cork Gallery, Windows on Amsterdam Gallery City College, Gallery RIVAA, AQA Gallery. Art Works in the collection of: Queens College, Queens, NY, Genesis Society, Queens, NY Numerous Private Collections in USA: NYC, Chicago, Miami, Washington, DC.

Marla was proud to be the juror of ArtSceneToday's Fall 2011 competiton, Joy to the World.