Amy Aves Challenger
design • communications
ABOUT ME
I'm an American expat writer/artist and mom of three kids living in Zürich, Switzerland. I studied communications design while earning my BFA at Syracuse University. Today, I'm primarily focused on painting and writing essays, poetry and fiction.
I've contributed at HuffPost and MOPS International magazine and blog. Additionally I've been published in The Washington Post, Brain, Child Magazine, the Marin IJ and Mamalode and Poets Reading the News. My poems and short story were printed in an anthology called Secrets and Dreams. My middle grade short story called I'm Not Going To School will be published in a "bookazine" by Zizzle Literary in Feburary.
I've been writing a novel for the last few years about a family's struggles and triumphs as they grow with a child with unique challenges.
In addition to writing for blogs, magazines, newsletters and other freelance projects, my experience includes illustration, design and communications work for public relations, corporate identity, product design, packaging and direct marketing companies.
I'm an idea person and have created images, designs and products for companies like Klutz Press, Papyrus, University Games, and Ronald McDonald Children's Charities. I've worked in the non-profit world for causes relating to refugees, poverty, the environment, education and homelessness.
I'm a former chair of a community college design program where I developed curricula, hired teachers and taught college courses. I've won some design awards and even started a few grass roots organizations to serve the homeless in Marin County California and moms of special needs kids in Connecticut.
My paintings have been sold in Gumps, other gift retailers, and have been reproduced on greeting cards and in publications.
I lead creative writing workshops inspired by the Amherst Writers and Artists Method, and was trained to do so by the New York Writer's Coalition and Westport Writers' Workshop of Westport, Connecticut.
I'm crazy about talking. So if you have questions, or are interested in discussing a project, please reach out. I'd be delighted to hear from you--