Diana Tato - Artist Statement:
A frog jumps in the rain, a leaf quivers as the insect is swallowed, and the scent of wet foliage hangs in the air... Nature inspires my work and gives my life meaning; I explore the colors, shapes and textures of trees, flowers, animals, as well as human emotions and forms. I incorporate these elements in my work, creating playful interpretations that celebrate Mother Earth and rekindle the joy and respect I feel for the natural world. As I ponder the troubling aspects of our world, Art helps me process reality. I aim to honor nature and denounce the ills of our society and the travesty of its systems of power.
I spent decades living in Latin America, and I am humbled by the creativity of ancient and modern Mesoamerican artists. I work primarily in clay, fiber and oil paint, and my work is influenced by the popular arts of my native Mexico, where life as well as death are daily celebrations.
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Diana Tato - Artist Bio:
Diana Tato was born in Mexico City in 1961 to a family where art was a daily bread; both her father was an illustrator and actor and her mother a singer and actor as well. Her maternal grandfather was a writer and opera singer. Diana spent her childhood years in Colombia and Mexico constantly traveling with her family wherever work would take them. She moved to New York City in 1986 after a devastating earthquake in Mexico City.
Her professional training in psychology and her career in social services infuse her artistic work with representations of human emotions. Her love and respect for nature can be seen in her images of flora and fauna playfully intermingling or sometimes clashing with human figures hinting at the assault on our planet and the pain and inequities of modern-day society.
Diana holds a Bachelor of Science in psychology from the University of Maryland Global Campus, and an Associate degree in studio art from Montgomery College, Rockville, MD. Soon to retire after decades of public service, Diana wants to pursue an MFA and focus on her advocacy efforts for more access to art education in low-income communities.
DIANA TATO - RESUME
Diana_tato@yahoo.com - 240-543-6768 – Montgomery Village, MD - https://www.dianatatoart.com/
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EDUCATION
University of Maryland Global Campus, MD
Bachelor of Science in Psychology (BS) Minor in Art Spring 2002
Montgomery College Rockville, MD
Associate in Fine Arts (AFA) Spring 2026
SKILLS
Proficiency in drawing and painting from life, working with ceramics and with fiber (sewing, art quilting and Batik). Experience working with children, adults and seniors in recreational and educational settings. Extensive experience in program management and contract monitoring in nonprofit and local government. Fully bilingual in English and Spanish.
COMMUNITY SERVICE & LEADERSHIP
Program Manager
Montgomery County, MD Office of Food Systems Resilience 2024-2025
· Develop recommendations and implement collaborative strategies that maximize County’s investments in programs that remove barriers to access and reduce food insecurity in disadvantaged communities.· Manage a 7M portfolio of contracts with profit and non-profit organizations to expand efforts to build a more sustainable food system in the County.
Program Manager
Montgomery County, MD Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health 2013-2018
· Implement the County’s Food Security Plan (FSP) including outreach programs, needs assessments, guidelines and initiatives around food security and food assistance best practices. · Provide strategic leadership to food assistance provider network to adopt service models that remove barriers to access by most vulnerable residents and connect residents to other services. · Develop collaborative relationships between County agencies, local nonprofits and grass roots groups to increase efficiency and participation in public health and food assistance programs.
Site Coordinator
Family Services (Now Sheppard Pratt) Linkages to Learning Program, Gaithersburg, MD 2006-2013
· Developed, implemented and evaluated prevention and early intervention social services programs for low income school families including after school tutoring and academic support, arts and crafts, wellness, healthy living, relationships, skills training, finance, sports, ESL, and more.
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2026 National Association of Schools of Art and Design Show, Montgomery College, Rockville, MD
2025 Montgomery College, Annual Student Art Exhibition, Rockville, MD
2025 Montgomery Art Association Holiday Art Show, Oasis Gallery, Wheaton, MD
2025 Montgomery Art Association, The Language of Art, Goldman Art Gallery, Rockville, MD
2022 Montgomery Art Association, Benjamin Gaither Senior Center, Gaithersburg, MD
2022 Montgomery Art Association, The Nature of Art, Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD
2022 Our Patterns, Montgomery College, Rockville, MD
1995 Montgomery College, Annual Student Art Exhibition, Rockville, MD
ASSOCIATIONS
Montgomery Art Association, Kensington, MD
Rockville Art League, Rockville, MD