• Group of students and Ali Roland collaboratively painting a large colorful mural with abstract shapes, leaves, and red circles in an art classroom.

  • Ali Roland standing on a ladder painting a colorful mural on a brick building wall. The mural features a stylized dog with a red collar and a cloud above its head.

  • Colorful mural depicting a landscape with mountains, water, plants, flowers, animals, and abstract drawings. Notable elements include a portrait of a woman, a man with glasses, a parrot, a butterfly, a white picket fence, and various artistic symbols and designs.

  • Ali Roland standing next to a colorful mural of stylized plants, animals, and insects on a school hallway wall.

  • Ali Roland with students making colorful artwork on the side of a blue bus labeled 'The Blue Bus Project' with a sign that reads 'Bedford'.

  • Ali Roland painting an abstract landscape featuring bright green land, blue sky, and water on a large canvas

“I was a child who went
about in a world of colors.”

– Frida Kahlo

Like Frida Kahlo, I have always been drawn to color and believe children thrive in a world of color and creativity. My career has been devoted to education and social justice. If you are interested in kids’ classes or social activism through art, check out my website and reach out to me on my contact page!

Purple spiral shape on a white background
Close-up of a sliced sandwich bun with a toasted exterior.
Ali Roland, wearing a pink outfit, glasses, and a headscarf, in NYC, is balancing on a metal cylinder while smiling and raising her arms in the street.

About Ali

I am a community-minded artist, educator, and LGBTQ+ advocate. In my studio, children and teens become artists, and by doing so open to countless possibilities within themselves. My goal is to empower them as artists and activists as they explore their creativity with joy, honesty, curiosity, and playfulness.

My Work

Group of students and Ali Roland collaboratively painting a large colorful mural with abstract shapes, leaves, and red circles in an art classroom.

Art Education

I have extensive art training and years of experience as an art educator as well as my New York State Visual Arts PreK-12 certification. Being open-minded, expressive, and inclusive is vital to my work. My program empowers children and teens as social agents for change.

Child wearing a blue smock and gloves creating a spiral marble painting on a canvas, surrounded by bottles of paint and art supplies.
A yellow tulip shape.

Healing & Play

Trauma-informed creative art and sand play sessions support healing and self-expression in a safe environment that can be serene or lively, celebrate diversity, and honor everyone’s journey.

A teal abstract shape.
Ali Roland leaning over a table, smiling at a student girl in blue tie-dye shirt and glasses drawing on a large piece of paper outdoors at a park with other people in the background.

Agencies

For agencies and organizations, creative art workshops and programs serving children through adults with physical, cognitive, emotional, or behavioral differences. 

Ali Roland and a young boy painting colorful pictures of marine life on a clear plastic sheet at an outdoor event. The table is covered with various paint bottles and brushes, and there are painted images of jellyfish and other sea creatures.

Workshops & Classes

Workshops, including professional development and studio classes, are collaborative, creative, and supported by social emotional learning and inclusive content.

Ali Roland Studio

Ali Roland Studio, a creative arts studio for healing and play, offers sessions for children, teens, and young adults as well as workshops and professional development for schools and businesses. Every aspect of the work is trauma-informed and aligns with social emotional learning.

See What People Are Saying About Ali!

Featured Testimonials

“Ali skillfully bridges the educational and healing dimensions of the expressive arts, and in so doing, is the quintessence of the adage: all art is therapeutic!”

–Lucy Barbera, PhD, LCAT, Director, Trauma-Informed Creative Art Therapy Certificate Programs

“Ali can facilitate profound, positive, and transformative arts experiences for anyone regardless of ability or experience level. I feel lucky to have a teaching artist of her caliber involved in The Art Effect's Arts for Healing program."

-Mary Ellen Iatropoulos, Arts for Healing at The Art Effect, Poughkeepsie, NY

“Beyond her professional strengths, Ali is simply a joy to work with—kind, encouraging, and full of positive energy. I’m already looking forward to our next collaboration!"

–Kristin Larson, Red Hook High School Art and Media Teacher

“Ali is passionate about art, but is also passionate about life. She is a giver and has a genuine care and concern for what she believes is right and good. She is the real deal.”

–Red Hook CSD Middle School Physical Education teacher, Action for Alex committee member

“She truly changed my life. I am a better artist and person now thanks to her.” 

–Stell Del Mazza Rocha, former student 

“Ali Roland's approach to art education is grounded in social justice, growth, and compassion.”

–FB, LGBTQIA+ Activist

“When Ali was our daughter's elementary school art teacher, we watched her inspire kids to get messy and take chances while learning both detailed artistic techniques and about the ways that art is experienced and used in the world.”

–Shannon LaDeau, parent

“In all of my years teaching in both public and independent schools, I have never encountered an art teacher who is as passionate and versatile as Ali Roland.”

–Natasha P, parent and former colleague  

“If you are looking for a creative art therapy facilitator whose approach is warm, playful, and imaginative, while treating each client as a unique and beautiful human being, look no further than Ali!”

–Amy Recchia, Music Therapist Program Coordinator, Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health