Candy Vanessa Vialva
Visual Artist & Art Educator

Artist Biography & Pedagogy

Candy Vanessa Vialva is a New York City–based mixed media artist and art educator working primarily in oil painting. Her practice engages with contemporary social and cultural issues, including climate change, equality, and the evolving dynamics of industrial and societal systems.

Raised in a creatively driven family and shaped by her lived experiences in Brooklyn, Candy developed a deep understanding of how environment and community influence perspective. These formative experiences continue to inform her work, grounding her artistic practice in reflection, resilience, and social awareness.

Candy holds a Master’s degree in Art Education and serves as a public school art teacher in New York City. In the classroom, she is committed to fostering creativity, critical thinking, and self-expression while cultivating a supportive and inclusive learning environment where students feel empowered to explore their ideas and build confidence through artistic practice.

Through both her studio work and pedagogy, she remains dedicated to using art as a vehicle for inquiry, dialogue, and meaningful engagement.

Awards & Recognition

In 2020, Candy Vanessa Vialva received regional recognition from the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, one of the nation’s most prestigious programs recognizing creative excellence among emerging artists. She was awarded a Silver Key for outstanding artistic achievement.

Her work was further acknowledged through honors associated with the Alliance for Artists & Writers, recognizing both technical skill and conceptual strength within her artistic practice.

In addition to formal distinctions, Candy has been recognized by faculty and arts administrators within the fine arts community for her continued commitment to artistic growth, discipline, and creative excellence.