Ana-Maria Gălețeanu is an artist and educator who seamlessly brings together creativity and pedagogy, turning every encounter into a safe, playful and inspiring space. Curious about her creative strategy, we invited her for a candid interview in order to look more closely at the very source of her authentic and deeply motivational approach, which unfailingly encourages children to discover and commit to the joy of drawing and painting.
At SEWA, we are grateful to have Ana on our team and be able to see how her artistic and teaching experience shine through in the workshops she leads. Her studies at the National University of Arts in Bucharest, specializing in Mural Arts, nurtured her curiosity for different techniques and materials – something that now shapes the way she designs her educational activities. For Ana, play and open-ended exploration are more than essential in an artistic work space: they create the necessary conditions for participants to relax, feel safe, and open themselves up to experimentation. As she herself puts it, “we need play, that curiosity that pushes us to try out materials and to ‘build’ starting from a piece of paper, a wrapper, a pencil, a pastel, and so on. I’ve noticed that well-being comes when we ourselves are well – when we relax and feel safe.”
We invite you to read on and discover Ana’s thoughts behind her pedagogic journey, and the way she mesmerizingly brings art and education together.
What drew you to the role of artistic facilitator, and how did you become part of the SEWA team?
I was invited to take over and coordinate the Painting Studio | ages 5–10. I loved the idea of continuing the workshop, and my affection for children together with my passion for pedagogy motivated me to get involved and think about how to shape each weekly session so that it fits every participant’s needs. Being a facilitator at SEWA suits me very well because my artistic and teaching approaches complement the experiences and expertise of my colleagues. Each of us contributes with something personal, and together we are able to create meaningful and unique experiences for the participants.
How would you describe, in just a few words, the experience you create for the participants?
The experience I create is one where connection, empathy, and joy flow naturally, while participants bring to life artworks that reflect how they feel, how they understand the world and themselves, and how their emotions guide them. I am present and available for each of them, offering attention and artistic insights tailored to their level of understanding and to the subjects they most enjoy drawing or painting. My aim is to build a friendly atmosphere where we can relax and learn together, nurturing imagination and creativity in an environment where everything feels possible – with the help of brushes and pencils.
What does authentic connection mean to you within a group experience?
For me, it’s essential to build a real connection with the participants in my workshops. Communication is key, and through it, the time we spend together becomes an educational, artistic and valuable experience – both for personal growth and for the group as a whole. Understanding each participant’s needs and listening deeply helps create that authentic connection. In the workshops I lead, the present moment is what matters most, and we build together starting from the here and now.
Tell us about a memorable moment from one of your workshops. What did you feel then?
Every time I leave a session, my heart is full of joy thanks to the participants. Each person is wonderful and contributes to the artistic journey we share. I carry many memories that make me smile – moments when I saw participants step into a new artistic stage, connect authentically with one another, or experience “aha” moments that shifted how they viewed their own abilities. It makes me happy to see them grow at their own pace and I am grateful because, alongside them, I also keep learning – about kindness, about art, and about staying curious and open through each present moment we live together.
What do you hope participants will take away from the course, beyond the time spent together?
I hope they will genuinely feel and understand that expressing themselves through art, just as they experience it, is valuable, even before mastering any specific drawing or painting technique. I truly believe that everyone can draw and paint, even if past experiences may have made us doubt our abilities or if we haven’t yet discovered the form of artistic expression that feels right for us. I would love for each participant to listen to themselves and create in a way that feels true to them, guided by their heart – and to know that they can always turn to me for support whenever they need it. I will be there, ready to guide, to listen, and to paint alongside them.
