Welcome to Tiana Fazio's Fundraining Event

NOVEMBER 2022 NEWSLETTER

FEATURED ARTIST

"Her brain is wired differently. In ways other people don’t always understand. Most of her life people told us that she would never do anything." Teresa Fazio, otherwise known as Mom, shares, "Tiana was prone to fits of violence, that even we didn't understand. At the age of two they told us she should be institutionalized." 

Shelley Cox of  Step by Step, Tiana's advocate since the Age of 5, said, "Don't listen to them. There are resources available to you."  Shelley immediately began to explore services for Tiana. She believed in her from day one and has been there for her, every step of the way.  

It is that advocacy that led the family to Lisa Szilagyi, of Malibu Middle and High School. She taught Tiana from 6th through 12th grade. Ms. Szilagyi recognized Tiana's interests, talents and advocated for her to be put in classes that would hold her interest and further her skills.  Lisa recalls, "I encouraged Tiana to work through her challenges and stay focused on her goals!" 

Luz Sandoval of the Westside Regional Center recalls, “Tiana at the age of 26 was finally able to verbalize the problem. Tiana explained, 'I was trying to tell them how to teach me, but no one listened.'"

"We learned the key was to follow her lead.  Tiana's own words and interests led us to the things she really excels at.  We discovered that she 

had amazing artistic skills. All we needed to do was give her the tools to express herself," asserts Dad, Mike Fazio. "Ernie Merlán, was the Executive Director of Exceptional Minds (EM) at the time, he was able to see Tiana differently and give her a chance." 

Tiana Fazio completed a 3 year animation program at EM and earned accreditations in Adobe Animation Photoshop, Adobe Premier, After Effects, Maya 3D, Nuke, Silhouette, Moca and Toon Boom. After graduation she went right to work on special effects for films with credits in Thor Ragnarok, War for the Planet of the Apes, Dr. Strange, Star Wars, The Darkest Minds, Black Panther, The Landing, The Good Doctor and the concept drawing for the opening scene introducing Julia on Sesame Street. Today, working with her dad she produces backgrounds for collectors of valuable animation cels. Tiana produces beautiful fine art on her own.

And yes….she also works at Muralism, a nonprofit that emphasizes inclusion by employing individuals with social, physical and/or mental challenges as artists.  The program helps many artists with disabilities find their unique skills and gives them the tools to do great things! 

“At Muralism”, Tiana says, “we artists gain experience, social skills, and confidence.”

MURALISM demonstrates that adults with disabilities can do productive, valued and beautiful work in their communities. "By creating art for the community by the community." These projects not only beautify our surroundings, but provide a sense of confidence for some very special artists.

 "We provide a critical need for a population that is three to four times less often employed compared to their non-disabled peers. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities face huge hurdles to entering the workforce due to low expectations of what they can contribute as workers. We expect more from them!"  Ernie Merlán, Founder of Muralism.

We are so proud of all Tiana has already accomplished and can’t wait to see what’s next! 

BECAUSE OF YOU

In the month of October the Muralism Team was able to complete three walls at Sun Valley Magnet School. The murals were created to celebrate the area of the campus where the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) classes are taught.  The Mural was designed with the help fo Sun Valley Magnet students and 150 students from the STEAM program were able to participate in the painting process.  The ribbon cutting will be on December 2nd, 2022 (please email at info@muralism.org if you would like to join us). 

ON THE DRAWING TABLE

This concept image is of a modern Tong Va woman with an elder in full regalia. It boldly says, "We were here in the beginning and are still here today".  Roughly 5000 Tong Va were living in the area when Europeans first made contact. As of 2008 1,700 were documented to still live in the Los Angeles County area. Hieroglyphic images fill the sky over a Tongv Va village that overlooks the Los Angeles Basin on the left and modern day Griffith observatory on the right. The mural is planned for mid 2023.  Stay tuned to sign up to paint with us on Public Paint Days.

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