Ross Momaney is a visual artist and arts educator. He grew up playing in the woods of West Dummerston, Vermont with plenty of room to roam and explore, letting his vivid imagination run free. As a child, he often played with and built elaborate imagined worlds with lincoln logs, LEGOs, and any other materials he could find. 

From a young age, Ross knew he wanted to be a teacher. He attended the University of Maine at Farmington where he earned a BS in Elementary Education and Art. He is currently in the Master’s program for Art Education at The University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Prior to his graduate work, Ross was a teacher at an elementary school on Deer Isle, in Maine. There he taught writing and English, as well as third grade before becoming the school’s art teacher and Arts Integration Specialist. His work in the classroom supports imaginative inquiry and play while providing equitable experiences in the arts for all learners. 

Ross’ own artwork focuses on process and self-interpretation with an emphasis on constructing imagined worlds and relics from his imagination. At the core of his artistic practice, Ross centers on creating pieces that illustrate how he perceives and experiences the world. His work delves into the ways lines exist in our environment, both natural and constructed, and investigates how these elements can shape our understanding and awareness of the different landscapes that surround us. Most of Ross’ work utilizes clay to create and build relics of personal expression. Ross examines how signs, text, and images function as tools for navigation and communication, as well as how a given object serves as an artifact of personal experience. Ross’ art invites viewers to reflect on the subtle yet powerful ways that visual language influences our perception of the world.

Ross’ dual role as an artist and educator allows him to bridge his artistic vision with his pedagogical approach, enriching both his creative work and his teaching practice. His exploration of visual processes and communication also informs his dedication to empowering students through art. By blending these roles, Ross continues to make a meaningful impact both in the gallery and the classroom, championing the transformative power of art.

Ross believes strongly in the power of play and imagination and how these two concepts work to help strengthen students’ ability to connect with their own inner creative practice as well as with their peers.