Maria Ezcurra

Visual

Specialities: Collage, Drawing, Graphic Novels, Mask-making, Murals, Nature-focused art, Outdoor Art-making, Painting, Photography, Pop-up books, Public Installations, Puppetry, Recycling/upcylcing art projects, Sculpture, Zines

Contact Info

Email address

maria.ezcurra@outlook.com

Website address

www.mariaezcurra.com/

Where Artist lives

Montreal, Quebec

Resides in

English Montreal

Experience working with

Early childhood
Cycle 1 Elementary
Cycle 2 Elementary
Cycle 3 Elementary
Secondary 1 & 2
Secondary 3 & 4
Secondary 5
CEGEP
Senior Citizens

Lifelong Learners

Adult Learners

I regularly explore the following Broad Areas of Learning/Themes in my work

Health and Wellbeing
Environmental Awareness and Consumer Rights and Responsibilities
Citizenship and Community Life (Identity & Belonging)

Listed in the Quebec Culture in the Schools Repertoire

I have experience working with

Course Lecturer at Teaching Certification programs in the Department of Integrated Studies in Education, McGill University. McGill Art Hive Facilitator. Workshop Facilitator at a number of museums, galleries and organizations in Montreal.

I can facilitate virtual creative experiences

School board areas you are available to work in

English Montreal

Travel

I am available for travel within the same day
I am available for travel overnight
An extended residency is an option

I’m a Mexican-Canadian artist, educator, and mother with 20+ years of experience creating art that invites connection, curiosity, and joy. I hold an MFA and a PhD in Art Education, and I teach at McGill University. I’ve led participatory projects in schools and museums, with exhibitions from Montreal to Mexico City. Recent awards include the Charles-Biddle Prize, Powerhouse Prize, and Prix de la diversité en arts visuels.

Tree of Life: A collaborative installation featuring a cardboard trunk adorned with artwork made by students — including leaves, flowers, birds, insects, and other imaginative elements.

Papalotes: Kites featuring bird images created by secondary students. Once completed, the work can be displayed as an installation in the school — and it looks amazing!

Birds created by students using recycled materials, designed to be placed on windows. Together, they form a beautiful, collective, translucent artwork that resembles a flock of birds flying outside.

Identity Masks: Masks created by elementary students using repurposed materials, exploring themes of identity, self-expression, and imagination.

Bird Drawings: Drawings of birds created on recycled cardboard by students during a workshop at the MAC.

Creative Approach and Experiences Offered

My workshops are grounded in inclusion, sustainability, and joy. I use recycled materials and hands-on art-making to help students explore identity, community, and the world around them. Each session is flexible and can be adapted to different age groups, themes, and learning goals. I also design custom workshops to support specific school subjects or personal experiences, promoting collaboration and inclusive ways of learning.

Examples include:

_Tree of Life: A collective installation of leaves, flowers, birds, and insects made by students.

_Recycled Birds: Translucent birds made from reused materials placed on windows to create a flying flock.

_Identity Masks: Personal and cultural masks made from repurposed materials.

_Bird Drawings: Nature-inspired drawings on recycled cardboard.

_Papalotes: Kites with bird images made by students and displayed in the school.

Workshops focus on process, creativity, empathy, and connection — and they’re always fun!