Our Instructors
Vanessa Santos
She/They has been teaching kids Outdoor Sciences and Earth Based Art Pedagogy since 2004. Their Pedagogical studies began with the LGTBQ Center Childcare Program in San Francisco, CA while they lived and served as teacher there in the Mission District of SF, CA in the early 2000’s. Their teaching and work in 2005-2009 as Parent Assistant w/ the Portland, Oregon Nuts About Nature After-School Parks and Recreation Program and Parent Assistant in 2009 at Waldorf Village School in Portland, OR. featured and implemented very intentional All Ages Nature/ Youth Ecology based and ‘Hand Arts’ Youth Edu. including but not limited to well designed Steiner/ Waldorf Foundational Teachings.
Vanessa was trained formally in Planting for Wildlife/ Botanical Science and creating Native Plant and Animal Habitats @ The Fullerton College Arbouretum in 1999.
Vanessa’s inter-disciplinary instructional background was developed at:
• East Los Angeles College in Video Production
• Santa Monica College in Photography and Screenprinting
• Cal State Fullerton Television in Production and Photography
• Pasadena City College in 16mm and 35mm Film Production and Indigenous Music Studies
• In Motion Pictures and Video at SF Academy of Art
Each of their foundational art practices give a uniquely faceted approach to the curriculum provided thru T.H.E.A. for all ages.
Additionally, Vanessa has realized the deep need for Plein Air Education of kids and adults alike and while working in 2012-2019 as Teacher Assitant in Junior Nature Conservation League in Algona, Iowa and 4H Community Co-ordinating/ Program. Both as a 4H Coach and 4H Club Leader she/ they have been able to help children of all ages form much needed relationships with the multiple realities existing in the Natural World and develop self-confidence in Artistic Expression.
Originally from Los Angeles, CA. since 1999 they have mentored w/ veteran practitioners in Metaphysical Studies ranging from Mexica Teachings, Reiki Master Certification and Tutelage in The Tradition of the Crone Ways. These mentorships were located at:
• As an apprentice to Misha Cohen OMD, LAc for the years 2003-2005 at “Chicken Soup Chinese Medicine” Acupuncture specializing in Hep. C, HIV, Cancer Support and Women’s Health in San Francisco, CA.
• ‘Pokeroot Foundations’ Herbal Apprenticeship in Portland, OR. 2005-2010
• Crone Herbalism Studies in Woodstock, NY. Certificate Program Herbalism A-Z 2010-2017
• Reiki, Healing Arts for Terminally Ill Techniques and Remote Viewing Mentorships in Burt (and Cylinder), IA. 2012-2018
• DONA Postpartum Doula Training Mentorship in Dubuque, Iowa, Los Angeles, CA 2018-2019
Their Steiner/ Waldorf and Bio-Dynamic disciplines began in 2005 and in 2018 as continued Educational Studies Programs from the BDA Institute in Biodynamic Principle and Earth Care from a Bio-Dynamic perspective and Agricultural Justice for Sophia with Professor Claudia J Ford Ph.d. in 2019. Studies were completed with Spikenard Bee Sanctuary in VA in 2020 for Bio-Dynamic Beekeeping.
Intense Indigenous Herbalism Research for Auto-Immune Disruption and Womb Care pre and post-motherhood are also a corner-stone in their T.H.E.A. Modalities.
As a community Nature Awareness Advocate and Teacher they have developed curriculum and taught from 2010-2017 all ages Wild Weed Education/ Ecology Foundational Pratices and Art based curriculum for the:
• Algona, Iowa Community Garden
• Kossuth County Water’s Edge Nature Center
• Kossuth County Child Edu. Instructor
• In 2019 Dubuque, Iowa Classes on Reuse and Cultural Preservation
• Manchester Public Library in Iowa Classes for Community Enrichment.
• served as public speaker/ educator for farm to table practices w/ small community farms located in North Central Iowa from 2013-2016 @ Fresh Connections Organic Food Grocery Co-op.
• ran the Homeschoolers of North Central Iowa’s Alternative Fine Arts Program from 2013-2018.
In 2022 they worked as an all ages Nature School Teacher @ Debs Park (Highland Park, CA) and Kenneth Hahn Park (Culver City, CA). They also lead monthly Plein Air Painting workshops at the Joshua Tree Retreat Center in conjunction with their own All ages art classes held in their home studio or in 29 Palms, CA.
Vanessa Santos has been featured and written in Pomelo Mag, Crystallizations Zine, Gone Too Soon Here Forever Zine, Able Zine, Tele Art Mag, Muff Mag (issues 4 + 4.5), Tarot Manifest, Earth Bound Anthology for Pain Wise Press and Eco-Crips, SGV Zine and performs/ organizes public event Earth Based Ceremonies and Rituals most recently in 29 Palms, CA. • Joshua Tree, CA • Landers, CA • El Sereno, CA • Highland Park, CA. • Pasadena, CA. •Mt. Washington and Water Ceremonies in Glendale, CA. Additionally, Vanessa also co-curates a collaborative Art Community Platform Project called Seraphim Dream w/ Sasha Zamani. They currently live/ work in Los Angeles, CA.
Vanessa’s teaching and interdisciplinary art practice has been featured in:
Vanessa’s Other Websites:
Past Works:
Ifiaar Featured Artist
Tele Mag ‘Room for the Cream’
SGV for SGV 626 Zine