Art Talks with Bindu Bammi Hughes Art Talks is an introduction to the great artists and various art movements. How they created and have inspired and awed us through history. What was their motivation, what pushed them to be creative? Bindu offers Art Talks the third Thursday of each month at Create Art & Tea, and she’ll be giving her talk on Women Artists of the Southwest this First Friday, June 7 at 5:30pm at The ArtRoom Collective. Please join us! Bindu has spent years in the field of international education, broadening her horizons and making a positive impact on the lives of young learners. This path took her to various countries, including the Philippines and Indonesia, where she had the privilege of working as an educator and connecting with diverse communities. Through teaching, she discovered the transformative power of art and its ability to foster self-expression, cross-cultural understanding, and personal growth. Her journey has taken her from the picturesque tea plantations of India to the vibrant world of international education, eventually leading her to the charming city of Durango, where she has found her home. Growing up in India, amidst the lush greenery and captivating landscapes of the tea plantations, she developed a deep appreciation for nature's beauty and an innate sense of creativity. Driven by her passion for art and its potential to heal and inspire, she pursued further studies in art therapy, equipping herself with the knowledge and skills to guide others on their own creative journeys. As an artist, art educator, and art therapist, she has been fortunate to witness the transformative effects of art in the lives of individuals and communities, helping them find solace, self-discovery, and empowerment. In Durango, Bindu has found a place to call home, where she has established her studio at the Smiley Building—a space that nurtures her artistic spirit and allows her to create and explore freely. It is within these walls that she embarks on her own creative journey, experimenting with various mediums, techniques, and concepts, and translating her experiences and emotions into visual expressions. The ArtRoom Collective at The Smiley is a diverse, working studio gallery where 23 artists, jewelers, potters, hat makers and others create, display and sell their handmade goods. Creating, collaborating and sharing their passion with the community. For more information, go to www.theartroomcollective.com