Meet our new Art Studio Coordinator and Educator, Chloe!

Chloe Abbadessa is the new Art Studio Coordinator and Educator at CMoR! She is a fiber artist who graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2021 with a BFA in Craft/Material Studies and has shown artwork in galleries and museums, including the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art. Prior to joining us, Abbadessa worked in galleries as an administrator, curatorial researcher, artist assistant, and as an art education coordinator. In her role with CMoR, she oversees our open art studios and is part of the team that teaches our educational programs. Her vision for us includes developing age-appropriate programming in the form of painting, kiln-fired clay, and fiber art, as well as activities families would like to do in the museum.

 Our art studios in Downtown Richmond and Chesterfield emphasize the importance of process over product, meaning we prioritize imagination, exploration, and experimentation over an end result. Guardians and children in the studio are encouraged to learn while playing through safe risk-taking and self-guided investigation. In order to ensure everyone has access to art-making, we offer universally designed adaptive art supports such as easy grip loop scissors, cuffs for markers and paint brushes, and a large adapted easel with wheelchair access.

Additionally, the art studios rely heavily on community donations to provide materials for children to create and explore possibilities in art. Please see our donation list for more info on materials you can donate to support their experience.

Contact Chloe via email at cabbadessa@cmorva.org with art activities/lessons you’d like to see in the studio!