Maria Tavarez is the owner and creator of Moonchild LLC a woman-led company dedicated to bringing a spiritual approach to mental health awareness through the transformative power of art. We believe in integrating holistic healing modalities with artistic expression to foster self-discovery, healing, and acceptance within individuals. Our mission is to provide a safe and welcoming environment where individuals can engage in healing and self-discovery as they embark on a journey towards holistic wellness. Maria Tavarez is an abstract expressionist self-taught acrylic artist using art as a means to open dialogue around topics that would otherwise go unmentioned in Hispanic and Black communities. Maria is currently a fellow in the DALI leadership institute of the Diamante Cultural Arts Center in Raleigh, she is part of the planning committee for the Drinking Gourd Gallery and she is the lead liaison for Art for All-NC a non-profit organization that brings art to communities through pop-up art events, community art installations and art workshops. Maria was born in Santiago, Dominican Republic and was raised in New York City. She completed her undergraduate degree from Monroe College in Hospitality Management and then went on to complete a Master of Science in Health Administration from Saint Joseph’s University. Maria is a proud mother of three children and a very loving grandmother. When she is not painting, volunteering, being a mental health activist Maria spends her time on nature walks, taking strolls through garden