photo by Peter Redgrave as part of a collaboration for The Trying Times, a zine project by Chenda Cope and Donna Oblongata (April 2021).
Valeska Maria Populoh works as an artist, educator and cultural organizer in her adopted hometown of Baltimore, Maryland, unceded land of the Piscataway Nation and other Chesapeake First Families. Embracing a wide array of tactics, from puppetry to participatory performance, Valeska's work is motivated by an interest in healing and repair, in our relationships to each other and to the natural world. Valeska has performed at the International Toy Theater Festival in New York City, the Puppeteers of America Festival, and Puppet Uprising! She has been a coordinator of the Transmodern Performance Festival and is the co-founder of the Puppet Slamwich at Black Cherry Puppet Theater, where she proudly serves on the board. Valeska has over 15 years of experience working as a facilitator, guided by a commitment to anti-oppressive processes, strengthening group dynamics, and feelings of connection and belonging. She frequently collaborates with other artists and organizations to invent, create and curate cultural actions and events. Valeska also serves on the faculty at the Maryland Institute College of Art, where she has been teaching since 2008 in the Fiber Department, First Year Experience, and the Ecosystems, Sustainability and Justice program.
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photo by Peter Redgrave, as part of a collaboration for The Trying Times, a zine project by Chenda Cope and Donna Oblongata (2021).