As MKAD phases into a new era of purpose and connectivity we welcome our new Director of The DRAW, Undine Brod, a multi-disciplinary artist and educator with a deep love of life, people, and culture. With Undine’s vast experience as both a teacher and a student, we’re enthralled to have her aboard. We graciously introduce her to you with this brief interview.

Hi Undine! Who are you, what is your background?

I was born into a family of artists and educators who raised me and my full-sister in a trifecta of cities: Los Angeles, Seattle, and New York City (where my younger half-sister lived full-time). I followed in my blended family’s footsteps with formal study in the visual arts and education. As a child and young adult, I studied theater, dance, and writing at small, community focused art centers therefore MKAD feels very familiar to me.

My experience in teaching ranges the full spectrum of ages (from toddlers to elders), abilities (in regard to language and developmental and physical accessibilities), and price points (public vs. private with workshops in well established art centers and home-grown projects). I believe that we all are simultaneously both students and teachers provided we have an open mindset. I do not claim to be the authority. Rather, I see education as a partnership. Outside of the arts and education, I value scientific exploration and the natural world. Ultimately, I am a question asker and seeker therefore learning about other cultures and ways of seeing the world is vital to my own personal development and growth through hard challenges.

What makes you an artist and what is your creative process?

My lived history is what makes me an artist. When I question how I chose this path, one thing I think of is that I was born into it, and that my family imparted onto me the value of all art and diversity. I have pursued art professionally through universities, artist residencies, and self directed explorations including wandering the world. My creative processes incorporate all that I am and have learned. As expressed, I am led by curiosity and that sends me down many paths that aren’t always directly linked to a current project, but may appear later. I tend to take on multiple projects at a time with the belief that the energy and stimulation of the unexpected and unplanned can reveal something new to the present mindset.

What brings you to this job position and what are your goals?

Ahh…these are big questions… Everything that has come before has led me here. It’s not so much about what brings me here rather I am looking to see what I can share here with others. To that end, I aim to bring my lived experiences (from the dysfunctional and challenging to the love-filled, awestruck, joyful, and humorous) and to learn from those in the community that want to share their stories with me. My goals at MKAD are to continue the great work that has come before me, deepen the existing connections, build new ones, and help grow the creative community.

What are you most excited about working with MKAD?

I am excited about connecting with people, learning, growing, and bringing more attention to the power of connecting through art. I believe makers/creators are as important as those that see themselves as appreciators (the self-identified non artists) in strengthening our society (and similarly to my views on each person being both a teacher and student) everyone can be both. Art is for all of us and I believe it is necessary in all its various forms to help us communicate in order to strengthen our connections and, in turn, the world.