Hilde Paz, born and raised in Ottawa Canada, has been a professional artist since 1978. After receiving a B.A. in Visual Arts from the University of Ottawa (1974), she spent two years deepening her interest in painting and lithography at York University in Toronto (1974-76). For seven years she exhibited her paintings in the Toronto area and giving colour worhshops to children through the Ontario Arts Council (1976-82).

It was by working artistically through many personal challenges that she was inspired to look into the therapeutic aspect of painting. This eventually opened the way to a full-time studies in painting at the Tobias School of Art (Rudolf Steiner adult education centre) in Sussex, England (1983). After a period of ill health she perceived that she would find healing through sculpture. From 1984-1986 she took part in the sculpture program at Emerson College (Steiner educational centre) in Sussex, England. She studied sculpture therapy with Gertraud Goodwin at the Tobias School of Art and received a diploma in Steiner sculpture therapy in 1988, after a six month placement in sculpture therapy at the Park Attwod Clinic in Worchestershire England.

While in England she was also privileged to have worked with Diana Halliday (founding member of the British Art Therapy Association). This invaluable experience gave her an even broader scope from which to work with future clients. "As much as the Steiner approach to art therapy was directive, the movement that Diana established 'Art from within", was totally self reliant. With Diana the therapeutic space became the container, the place of refuge full of creative and therapeutic possibilities.

Since 1989, Hilde Paz has been working as a sculpture therapist in a wide range of therapeutic settings. She currently lives in Ottawa and works with individuals in sculpture therapy, as well as giving monthly weekend workshops called CREATING OUT OF THE SPIRIT. She now exhibits her sculptures in Canada and Britain.

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