Sonia Gadra’s love of art began growing up Manhattan.  She developed artistic skills and techniques in watercolor, oil and acrylic while studying drawing and painting with well known instructors.

Sonia’s teaching experience have been varied, having taught adults and children at the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. where she is also a veteran registered Copyist. She has been a teaching assistant at the Art League School, Alexandria, Virginia and has taught at the Ingleside Retirement Community in Washington, D.C.

Sonia’s art education has been at the University of Maryland, The Art Student’s League of New York, The Art League School, Alexandria, Virginia, the Woodstock School of Art, New York and drawing, portraiture and still life at The Florence Academy of Art, Florence, Italy.

Her experiences as a Copyist at the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY, and The National Gallery of Scotland, Edinburgh has given her the experience necessary to interact and teach painting to people of all ages from all over the world.

Ms. Gadra is a member of various art associations, has exhibited extensively and has won a variety of awards.  Her work is in collections throughout the world.

However, she finds the best teacher has been her experiences traveling and living in many parts of the world.  Her motto has been “life is a collection of moments the idea is to have as many as you can.”  To be a good artist, you can’t have a mediocre life.

Juried Exhibitions, Awards and Recognition

Twice selected as the theme artist for the annual St. Francis School auction at The Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland

Featured artist of the annual Citizen’s Rehabilitation Center Christmas gala in Frederick, Maryland

People’s Choice award winner of the Frederick County Art Association’s  member’s shows in 2008, 2012, and 2015.

Selected for exhibit in the Crestwood Women’s Center Gallery (several months running); The National Center for Children and Families Art and Soul Auction, spring 2011; Art at the Mill, Berryville, Virginia (several exhibits) 2012 – 2015; International Nurses Society Conference, Addiction and Art, Washington, D.C. 2012.

 First Place winner of the International Nurses Society Conference Addiction and Art Competition in Washington, D.C.

Torpedo Factory, Alexandria, Virginia, monthly feature exhibits (4 selections).

Ms. Gadra is a member of the Frederick County Art Association, The Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center, Frederick, Maryland, Maryland State Art Council, MAP (Maryland Art Place) and The Alexandria Art League in Alexandria, Virginia.  She may be reached here.