Hi! I’m Silvia, originally from Catania but with a passion for travelling. I spent 14 years living between Scotland and Guatemala, experiences that enriched me with new perspectives and valuable lessons.

 

My return to Sicily was partly a choice and partly the result of life’s circumstances. However, I had already felt for some time that sooner or later, I would come back to my roots. Now, with the experiences I’ve gathered over the years, I want to contribute to my homeland and create opportunities for connection and growth.

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Since my return, I’ve been actively involved in building connections and contributing to my community. I’m part of Destinazione Sicilia, a network that brings together people who have returned to the island after years abroad or in northern Italy, as well as those who have chosen Sicily as their home. I strongly believe in the power of community and the importance of creating spaces for shared growth.

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My Journey: Between Art, Social Impact, and Personal Growth

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Since 2010, I have been working on social impact projects, often using art as a tool for change. In Guatemala, for example, I worked with homeless youth and individuals struggling with addiction, helping them reclaim their lives through artistic expression in a way similar to art therapy. I have always believed that art is a powerful way to express oneself, heal, and transform one’s reality.

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Over the years, I have deepened my expertise in various fields, obtaining qualifications in Visual Communication, Community Development, Coaching, Art Therapy, and Mindfulness. My experience in the social sector has allowed me to work on concrete projects that have made a difference in people’s lives.

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In 2023, I became certified in coaching, an approach that aligns perfectly with my background in community development. Coaching is not just about saying “I wish” or dreaming about possibilities—it’s a structured way to take action, a "Let’s make it happen" mindset. I find great motivation in helping people turn their desires into tangible goals because I know what it means to roll up my sleeves and carve out my own path. I am not someone who waits for opportunities to fall from the sky (though that would sometimes be easier!); I actively seek them out.

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I discovered mindfulness in 2017 through Buddhism, and in 2021, I completed my training to become a certified mindfulness teacher. I deeply believe in the power of the here and now, in learning to appreciate what we have, and in truly listening to ourselves. Too often, we operate on autopilot, distracted and unaware of what we truly feel. Mindfulness helps us recognize when something is off, become more self-aware, and find a new sense of balance.

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Arts & Chats was born in 2022 as a way to bring people together after the lockdown, creating a space where art could serve as a tool for connection and meaningful conversations. Today, the project continues in Sicily, with the hope of developing community art projects—initiatives that take art beyond traditional spaces to make it more accessible to everyone.

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Art has always been an important part of my life. Like everyone, I create for myself because the creative process helps me see solutions to problems, experiment without fear of failure, and embrace freedom. I love techniques such as printmaking, linocut, monoprint, gel press, and mark making.

 

Art constantly reminds me that the world is full of possibilities.

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This is the philosophy I strive to bring forward: combining creativity, personal growth, and community to create experiences that leave a lasting impact.