Maria developed an interest in fine arts after taking several art history courses, while attending college. Later, she attended adult education courses at Brooklyn College and Snug Harbor, and has studied with Melanie Hickerson, Sal Busacca and a variety of other instructors. Over the course of the last ten years her interest in art has broadened compelling Maria to explore different mediums of self expression. These include mosaics, drawing, watercolor, acryclic and oil painting. She is currently attending an oil painting class, with Sal Busacca, which stresses independent studies; her focus, at this point in time, is portrait painting.Maria is a member of the Staten Island Artists’ Association, for which she serves as Hospitality Chair, and the Artists’ Federation. Her art has been exhibited in a variety of group shows, including the Broome Street Gallery in Manhattan, The Staten Island Zoo, The Julia Music & Performing Arts School and The Open at Snug Harbor. Maria was recently presented with an award at the Artists' Federation Annual Awards Exhibit in 2005, for a mosaic piece she created.