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“Welcome to the official portfolio of Soheyla Rashidyan, contemporary artist and founder of the Museum of Contemporary Visual Art.”“Welcome to the official portfolio of Soheyla Rashidyan, contemporary artist and founder of the Museum of Contemporary Visual Art.”I received my BFA in Graphic Design from Art and Architecture University in Tehran and completed

independent studies in Sculpting and Painting at Vrije Academie in De Hague, Netherlands.

As President & Artistic Director of Plano Art Association,

• Curated fine art exhibitions throughout the region, including at the PAA Gallery and for the Plano International Festival. This involved developing relationships with local, regional, and national artists and engaging them to exhibit their works in our shows.

• Acquired grants to maintain the artistic programs and to create public art in downtown Plano.

• With the Heritage Grant, originated the first public art in downtown Plano through the Mural Project.

• With municipal funding, teamed with other art professionals to select the art and artist to line the entry boulevard into Plano's Art District with sculptures for the Portal Project.

• Collaborated with:

- Plano Public Library System to bring art into the libraries and initiate their artist-in-residence program.

- Historic Downtown Plano Association to initiate programs celebrating art, including an annual art festival, the Chalk-It-Up sidewalk art competition, and monthly Art & Wine Walks.

- Plano Arts Coalition, a cross-section of visual and performing arts organizations, to focus efforts to enhance the community's artistic culture.

- Local homeowner associations and businesses to create artistic events at the neighborhood level.

• Interacted with municipal authorities, commissions, and community leaders to ensure the smooth operation of these artistic programs.

These efforts were instrumental in downtown Plano becoming an officially designated Arts District in 2016.

Currently, I am the Executive Director and founder of the Museum of Contemporary Visual Art.