TARA S. HOLL – BIO

Ms. Holl has been a professional and teaching artist for over 20 years. She has taught workshops, assorted classes, and visual arts integrated residencies through Maryland schools, National Geographic, Glen Echo, the Greater Washington Jewish Community Center, and Montgomery County Parks and Recreation, and through many other venues that support the arts for teachers, artists, and students of all ages. Additionally she has taught in the states of California, Virginia, Florida, and Washington. Her work has given her the opportunity to teach and (learn from!) children K - 12, adults, and a variety of special needs children and adults including but not limited to those with autism, down syndrome, M.S., and the emotionally disturbed. Ms. Holl has exhibited her work throughout the United States and overseas.

Ms. Holl’s education has been varied and colorful. She has studied Fine Arts, Glass working, Writing, Arts Integration, Business Management, and a variety of other subjects in the span of her career.

Ms. Holl has been a traveler most of her life and is a self proclaimed "world citizen". One of her goals in life is to see and experience the world's cultures and then interpret those experiences through her art work. Spring of 2011 took her to China where she was pleasantly surprized at the range and depth of today's China. She was delighted and moved by glimpses into rural China; where relocated families are trying to cope with the changes that were imposed upon them by the flooding of the delta area and consequent large dam constructed on the Yangtse River. Past excursions have included diverse locations such as Egypt, Turkey, Greece, Italy, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, Panama, Columbia, Vancouver Island B.C. and so on. These various trips afforded Ms. Holl an opportunity to study and reflect artistically on the rich and diverse cultures of each country. Indigeous peoples, ancient civilizations, evolution of the species; all continue to captivate and inspire her work.

Ms. Holl continues to teach for the Maryland State Arts Council in their "Arts in Education" program and Maryland County Arts & Humanities organizations. She further volunteers her services working with Plein Air Olney, an organization she founded three years ago to promote the celebration of her community, its history, and its very capable artists. She serves on assorted art committees and boards such as for the Sandy Spring Museum, Montgomery Arts Association, Creative Crafts Council, and the National Capital Art Glass Guild, to name a few.

In addition to the previous efforts, Ms. Holl and her husband own and operate a relatively new restaurant called “al Sospiro” Trattoria Romana in Olney, MD. The restaurant is mainly his focus; however she is the baker, “candle stick” maker, and changes hats to assist as needed while staying very committed to all of her art related endeavors.