Shana R. Goetsch's art frequently involves themes of social justice, empowerment, love, loss and bereavement; she began painting in 1989 after witnessing the murder of her mother. Often using words, cultural references or found objects, she injects personal voice, history and memory into her pieces. Originally from southeastern Wisconsin, Goetsch's work has appeared in numerous exhibitions nationally, and is held in private collections. She received her MFA and MA in Community Arts from the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), and her BFA in Painting, with a minor in Printmaking from the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design.
Goetsch is an artist and educator in the Baltimore, Maryland area. She is currently Adjunct Faculty at MICA, Master Adjunct Faculty at Howard Community College, and Adjunct Faculty at Frederick Community College, teaching traditional, online and hybrid arts and humanities courses. As a community arts facilitator, Shana has worked with neighborhoods, schools and art centers within Baltimore City, including: City Arts, Better Waverly's 901 Arts, Jubilee Arts, Baltimore City Public Schools, Access Art, Asylee Women Enterprise, BSO OrchKids and Creative Alliance at the Patterson.
Goetsch has served as a confidential advocate of survivors and witnesses for two domestic violence centers; Sojourner Family Peace Center (in conjunction with the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office), and The House Of Ruth Maryland, where she completed a year-long, community artist residency through AmeriCorps. Shana received her Level-1 Certified Trauma Practitioner (CTP) distinction through the National Institute for Trauma and Loss in Children in 2017, and continues to use art as a vehicle for awareness, healing and advocacy.
