Tiffany Paige Ramirez is the Founder and Creative Director of the non-profit, Artisan Mind. She is dedicated to providing creative experiences that support the hope and faith of people living with physical and cognitive challenges.
She holds a BFA from Parson’s School of Design and worked in the design industry until her calling into creative arts care. Moved by the loss of her grandfather to Alzheimer’s and her awakening to faith, Tiffany started pursuing her passion to bring the healing properties of art and imagination to lives of people living with dementia.
Through partnership with ARTZ: Artists for Alzheimer’s and the I’m Still Here Foundation, Tiffany launched ARTZ Sacramento in 2011 and then founded Artisan Mind in 2014. She is responsible for initiating an art liaison program for hospice care and developing numerous person-centered life enrichment programs throughout Northern California.
In response to the world’s great need for Truth and Love, Tiffany is committed to raising awareness of the value of creativity and faith for people living with cognitive challenges among memory care communities, care partners, support groups, and spiritual organizations. Her work has been recognized by the County of Sacramento with the Hero of Human Services Award.
Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust Him, and He will help you. He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun. -Psalm 37:5-6
Our Creative Enrichment Specialists
Risa Burmich earned her Art History degree from UC Berkeley and studied abroad at the American University of Paris. Risa has over a decade of experience working for non-profit organizations, including at Roots and Horizons (a mentoring program for children with incarcerated parents), Girl Scouts Heart of Central CA, Stand Up Placer (a safehouse for victims of domestic violence, human trafficking, and sexual assault), and the Crocker Art Museum.
Risa has been an artist all her life and particularly enjoys drawing & painting portraits. She enjoys yoga, plays soccer, and loves to spend time with her dog – an American Eskimo named Tofu.
Lizzy is an artist, instructor, and coach – originally from the Bay Area. She has a passion for helping others through the beauty of art and creative activities. She values how every person is different in how they understand and execute the techniques. She previously taught adult painting classes, then worked as an Educator at The Crocker Art Museum. There she prepared and conducted age-appropriate art and art education programs for students, encouraging appreciation and understanding of art and art history.
As an artist, Lizzy mainly uses oil paint, as well as ink, gouache, and gold leaf. Her own spirituality is used as inspiration for her work, translating feelings or experiences onto the canvas. She earned a BFA in Painting and Drawing from Chico State University, and a coaching certification through Artists of the Spirit.
Nature and animals have continued to be some of her most loved parts of life today. In her free time Lizzy enjoys making art, yoga, hiking, and spending time with friends, family, and her two cats Frankie & Charlie.
Nancy’s passion and understanding for helping seniors and those living with cognitive and/or physical challenges came from Nancy’s personal experience – helping care for her mother-in-law who had vascular dementia and recently helping with her father during the late stages of his life.
Nancy worked for Elder Care Management of Northern California from 2011-2019 working hand-in-hand with Care Managers and staff. Nancy has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from California State University, Chico and successfully operated her own creative graphic design business after graduating in 1998.
Nancy volunteered as an Art Docent for Gold River Discovery Center for 10 years, helping to artistically enrich and motivate school children from kindergarten through 8th grade.
During her free-time, Nancy enjoys cooking, gardening, painting and spending time in the mountains with her family.
Our Creative Intern
Delaney Bird is a current undergraduate student at Sarah Lawrence College in New York where she studies Art History. As an intern with Artisan Mind, this is her first experience working for a non-profit. She loves that she has been able put her knowledge to work for such a wonderful organization.
Delaney enjoys creating art just as much as she enjoys writing about it. She is particularly fond of watercolor and drawing, and occasionally dabbles in photography. She loves to hike, go to the theatre, and spend time with her pets.
A Heart of Faith, with Art in Mind 