About Us - The Art Spread

Our Mission

The Art Spread provides a path for artists with adversity to success and financial stability. These goals are accomplished through deep mentorship and by equipping each artist to tell their stories through art.

We strive to make art accessible to promote wellness through art. We transform communities through art-and-adversity awareness workshops and build a supportive environment for everyone.

Our Vision

To inspire every artist to achieve their goals, provide access to the arts for every community, and bring awareness to every art piece telling a story of adversity.

Founders

Creative Director
Rawan Ita-Diaz

Rawan’s favorite iconic artist is Frida Kahlo, who experienced a near death accident and boldly expressed her pain and deepest emotions in her art.

Creative Director, Rawan Ita-Diaz, oversees all content, mentors and guides artists to success, and supervises team members.

Rawan is a refugee who moved to the United States in 1994. She is an inclusive design specialist and small business owner. Rawan earned a Master’s Degree from Lawrence Technological University in Architecture & Design. She works in artistic and architectural capacities to represent the needs of people with disabilities. This inspired her to create The Art Spread.

Rawan turned to art as mental relief after being struck by a car as a pedestrian. Her life changed after the accident – all that she had worked towards came to a sudden halt. She developed life-long pain and struggles with mobility. She is an ambulatory wheelchair user and designs with accessibility in mind beyond the minimum standards.

Rawan started Project TheraPaint to find purpose while adjusting to her new circumstances. Rawan feels responsible to merge her skills and personal experience to address inclusion within the art and design world.

Managing Director
Nadin Said

Nadin’s favorite iconic artist is Vincent Van Gogh because he created his best work during his darkest moments.

Managing Director, Nadin Said, oversees and implements business strategies, works with the community to create events, and seeks funding and donations.

Nadin is an immigrant who fled Iraq in 1992 during the Persian Gulf war. Growing up in the United States, she and her family struggled with poverty, language barriers and mental illness. Nadin focused her energy on school and learning to overcome her environment. Nadin became a litigation attorney through her determination for change after witnessing injustice and underrepresentation in her community. Her passion is giving back to the community.

Over the years, Nadin started organizations that recognize social culture and integration. During law school, she started the Middle East and North African Law Society at the University of Denver. While attending Denver Law, she served on multiple boards for nationally recognized organizations that provide a support system and mentors from the legal community to minority students.

Nadin loves working and learning, especially about art, culture, law, and business management. She is also the most dedicated Los Angeles Clippers fan.

Executive Board

Allison Sloan

Allie is passionate about her involvement with The Art Spread’s mission. She values The Art Spread’s drive to showcase the importance of mental health and inclusivity.

Prakhar Gupta

Prakhar has an appreciation for The Art Spread’s platform and enjoys the tools it creates for artists that allows them to spread inspiration to communities.

Mateo Diaz

Mateo is dedicated to The Art Spread’s inclusive mission for everyone experiencing physical challenges and more. He values the work The Art Spread does to amplify the voices of the unheard and marginalized.

Tanya Palacios

Tanya is glad to be a part of The Art Spread and uses her expertise to give back, stay involved with the community, and indulge her passion for art.

Marina Braff

Marina is passionate about supporting individuals in the community and is proud to be a part of an organization that is helping to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and increase access and awareness of art and the profound benefits it provides for one’s well-being.

Committees

Social Media Committee

Natasha Navarra
Resident Blog Writer

Natasha is a New York Native, Writer, Op-Ed Contributor, and Guest Writer based in San Diego, California. Her work has been published in Psych Central, the San Diego Union-Tribune, San Diego Uptown and Downtown News, MSN, the Cat Magazine, Catworld, and more. At The Art Spread, Natasha writes blog content for artists, collectors and art lovers alike.

Natasha is passionate about The Art Spread’s mission and believes artists challenge us to see the world and ourselves in new ways.

Chloe Canton
Social Media Strategist

Chloe earned a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations. Chloe is currently a Therapist and Professional Clinical Counselor whose work aims to cover individual strengths, build resilience, and enhance connection.

Chloe is passionate in supporting The Art Spread’s mission to enhance wellness for both artists and the broader community through the creation, distribution, and viewing of art. Chloe utilizes a background in strategic communication and public relations to further The Art Spread’s ability to communicate its value and mission, in addition to establishing authentic and meaningful relationships with artists and audience members alike.

Allison Sloan
Accessibility Editor

Allison holds a Bachelor of Arts with an emphasis in psychology from Hope International University. She loved studying how the mind works and how disorders impact a person’s mind.

Allison uniquely crafts image descriptions for social media content to make The Art Spread more accessible to its audience.

Malena Yako
Content Creator

Malena studied Veterinary Medicine and currently cares for animals at an emergency animal hospital. Her love for living things goes beyond animals, as she is also dedicated to serving people in her community.

Malena’s passion for The Art Spread’s mission is displayed in her efforts to spread the message through content creation. Malena creates image, video, and promotional content for The Art Spread to convey it’s vision and highlight upcoming events.

Alexandra Houston
Hashtag Expert

Alex recently returned from Cape Town, South Africa, where she studied at the University of Cape Town (UCT) for five years. Alex received her Bachelor of Social Science, majoring in Sociology, International Relations, and Gender Studies. Most recently, she received her Honours degree from the UCT politics department in Justice and Transformation.

Alex relates to The Art Spread’s mission by having traveled to multiple countries and seeing art’s influence on culture and well being.

Events Planning Committee

Marina Braff, LMFT
Resident Therapist

Marina is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a private practice where she provides individual therapy to adolescents and young adults navigating anxiety, depression, relational issues, and life transitions. Marina is an Adjunct Professor for Pepperdine University and is the Clinical Director for Villages of California.

Marina provides wellness presentations and practical techniques for improving mental health for The Art Spread’s community events.

Tanya Palacios
Outreach Coordinator

Tanya is a Los Angeles native, first generation college graduate. She studied Political Science and Global Politics, graduating from California State University, Long Beach. Through her college experience, she learned to give back to her community by being active in local campaigns and grassroots organizations. Tanya is bilingual, speaking both English and Spanish.

Tanya connects with communities by cultivating relationships with artists, businesses, and other organizations to expand The Art Spread’s network.

Sandra Bayoud
Project Manager

Sandra earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from California State University, Fullerton and started her career in Finance. She is a consultant for a financial institution. Sandra’s passion for art is built around creativity. From a young age, she found a brush to canvas a mesmerizing encounter. She carries the passion for creativity into her writing and love for live music.

Sandra researches and advises on current market trends and best practices to grow The Art Spread’s mission and audience.

Fundraising Committee

Rebecca Street
Grant Editor

Rebecca is a freelance copy editor and transcriptionist, with degrees in Psychology and English Literature. She enjoys working in Language Arts to explore human behavior and philosophy. Her favorite artist is Jasper Johns, whose work she first saw on a trip to New York City in the early aughts.

Rebecca edits and reviews The Art Spread’s grant applications to ensure clear and focused content.

Rafael (Frankie) Cruz
Grant Advisor

Frankie is a first generation college graduate from University of Detroit Mercy. He has extensive experience as a professional mentor and has successfully secured grants for his department.

Frankie guides and advises on grant applications and logistics for The Art Spread’s grant opportunities.