Nina Ayala Spotlight
Nina Ayala
Written by Mark Moore, April, 2026
Nina shows us that curiosity can turn into opportunities. An internship at an art gallery called ‘Franklin Furnace Archive’, which focused on artists' books, periodicals, site-specific installations, and performance art allowed her to discover what she truly wanted to do as an artist. This internship coincided with her interests on altered books and the writing of her graduate thesis. Then during her summer job at a nursing home, she had an interaction with one of the recreation therapists who knew that Nina was going to the High School of Fashion Industries. During their chat the therapist commented, “‘I bet you would really enjoy art therapy. Did you enjoy helping?” It was at that moment Nina knew that she wanted to be in the Art Therapy field. During this moment I could hear the enthusiasm and passion that ran through her voice when she spoke about the experience.
On a calm Monday afternoon, I had the pleasure of sitting down and learning about Nina Ayala, as a person, art therapist, and of course, an artist. I was immediately struck by her welcoming presence. What first started off as an interview quickly turned into a warm conversation about her journey into the art therapy world. At a very young age, Nina saw herself eyeing sculptures, paintings, and other eye captivating works while on class trips to museums like the MET. Coming from New York City and having a supportive mother, these aspects would soon play a big role in the work that she pursues today. “I often found myself drawing things. I really love fashion, so I illustrated fashion designs…from a 12, 13, 14 year old perspective.”
Later, she got her first master’s degree in 2017, and now works as a Board Certified and Licensed Professional Art Therapist and Counselor in Ohio, and has led altered book and watercolor workshops, among other mediums at Dawes Arboretum in Licking County. Her art has been featured in various shows, including the Ohio Art League Art of Mindfulness shows at the Broad Street Presbyterian Church in Columbus, WesterBall Community Arts Gala, and art therapist art group show at the Coburn Gallery at Ashland University.
As we wrapped up the conversation, Nina reflected on the way that meaning has shifted from her youth to today. When she first started off as an artist, she focused more on the commercial aspect of art, but as she progressed further in her career, the themes of her work have shifted to thinking about spirituality and nature. “The nice thing about art therapy is [that] I’m able to bring art to folks in very vulnerable places… places where they may not expect to be creating, and help them learn the joy [that] no matter what they’re feeling or what they’re experiencing, that art is a safe container for their emotions…and that they can still create something beautiful.”