Chiara Pieri: Artist, Educator, and Community Builder
Written and Photographed by Nancy Clover
A lifelong Melrose resident, Chiara Pieri is the Program Coordinator at Follow Your Art, where she inspires young minds to explore their creativity.
Teaching art is no small feat — it’s a delicate balance of guidance and freedom. Having the privilege of watching Chiara in action, I can confidently say that her teaching itself is an art form. She meets children at their level, asks thought-provoking questions, and helps them solve problems in ways that unlock their creativity.
Her approach is not just about technique but also about fostering self-expression and building confidence. With warmth and patience, she introduces artistic techniques through each child’s unique interests, gently guiding them along their creative journey.
The joy, curiosity, and excitement on their faces are a testament to her impact. She credits her mentor, Kris Rodolico, for shaping her teaching style.
Chiara believes in creating a safe space for students to experiment, build skills, and even make mistakes — because mistakes, after all, are often where the magic happens.
She has taught over 750 children, forming meaningful relationships with her students and finding immense gratification in watching them grow as both artists and individuals. She particularly enjoys working with teenagers, drawn to their creative thinking, bold ideas, and evolving artistic vision.
Beyond the classroom, Chiara’s talent extends to large-scale public art. Watching her transform an image from a small sketch into a stunning mural, such as those she has painted at the Y, is nothing short of mesmerizing.
When she’s not teaching, Chiara carves out time for her own artistic pursuits. A talented illustrator and printmaker, she is known for her distinctive relief printing techniques and vibrant storytelling. A graduate of the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, she finds inspiration in the natural world, weaving elements of flora, fauna, and fantasy creatures (especially unicorns!) into her work.
Chiara has collaborated with various authors and organizations, contributing illustrations to children’s books and creating original stickers, with a portion of proceeds benefiting NAGLY (North Shore Alliance of GLBTQ+ Youth).
She is also deeply engaged in the local art community, having participated in “The Art of Words” exhibit at Follow Your Art Community Studios, where she collaborated with writers to create pieces that beautifully intertwine visual and literary storytelling.
Chiara’s Superpowers are her creativity, attentive listening, and deep compassion, making her not just a talented artist but also a cherished friend and mentor.
Chiara recently checked off a major bucket list item — seeing Hamilton on Broadway — and she dreams of traveling to Italy. An avid horse rider, she also harbors a rather whimsical aspiration: to joust one day!
For Chiara, Melrose’s small-town charm and welcoming community make it a special place. She loves bumping into former teachers and high school friends and takes pride in the city’s public art scene, particularly the Blue Dragon of Ell Pond.
Through her passion for art, education, and community engagement, Chiara Pieri continues to shape the creative landscape of Melrose, leaving a lasting imprint on the city’s children and art scene alike.
