Tatiana Retter – “Ms. Tatiana”
Tatiana Retter immigrated to the United States from Russia in 1994. She graduated from the renowned Moscow Polygraphic Institute (currently the Moscow State University of Printing Arts) with a Master’s degree in illustration and graphics. Prior to her departure for the United States, Tatiana worked as a painter and illustrator for popular children’s magazines in Moscow. In her professional career, she has illustrated numerous children magazines and books.
Tatiana has three of her own children: two sons and a daughter. Spending a great deal of time teaching art to her children and their friends, Tatiana came to understand that primary and secondary school art programs do not fully support the individual interests or needs of each child. Indeed, at the core of her artistic instruction is Tatiana’s love for children, which inspires in her the ability to see each child’s hidden talents, their bright individuality and endless imagination. To help foster those natural abilities, Tatiana decided to open her own art school.
Since opening its doors in the Spring of 2007 in Virginia Beach, the Magic of Art Studio has prepared fifteen students for admission into the Old Donation Center for Gifted Children, four students for admission into the Salem High School Visual Art Academy, and two students for admission to the Governor’s School of the Arts in Old Dominion University. Additionally, several of Tatiana’s older students have gone on to complete prestigious graduate art programs, including Drexel University (video game design) and the James Madison University Visual Arts Program. All of Tatiana’s students participate in advanced art programs at their respective schools and take part in numerous local, regional and national art shows. Indeed, many Magic of Art Studio students have been winners of the Reflections Art Contest (a national PTA art competition) and numerous others have had their artwork published in the internationally recognized Celebrating Art catalog. Several of Tatiana’s students have been named among the top ten of the Celebrating Art contest winners. Magic of Art Studio continues to participate in the Celebrating Art Contest each year. The Studio has been named the best Academic Specialty School in Virginia Beach for ten consecutive years from 2011 to present.
In the Spring of 2021, after following her heart to the stunning Colorado mountains, Tatiana relocated the Magic of Art Studio to the Denver, Colorado area. Now operating from its new home in Aurora, the Magic of Art Studio is providing the same renowned and exceptional art education in the ‘Mile High City’!