KATHRYN VERCILLO
Writer | Researcher | Community Arts Coordinator
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Writer, researcher, and community arts coordinator with 20+ years of experience exploring the intersection of creative practice and mental health. Expertise in qualitative research methodology, program coordination, grant writing and management, content strategy, and trauma-informed community engagement. Published author with work cited in peer-reviewed research and used in therapeutic settings. Proven track record securing $45,000+ in competitive grants, building strategic partnerships with cultural organizations, and coordinating multilingual programs serving diverse communities.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
- $45,000+ in grants secured and managed from San Francisco Arts Commission, Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center, and Center for Art and Public Life
- 100+ in-depth qualitative interviews conducted with artists, informing research frameworks and published work
- 10,000+ community members engaged through public arts programs and large-scale events
- Multiple books published, including traditionally published work (Schiffer) and self-published titles cited in peer-reviewed research
- Strategic partnerships developed with Chinese Culture Center, Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts, Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center, and Center for Art and Public Life
- 3,000+ newsletter subscribers engaging with weekly content on creative health and research
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Create Me Free | Founder & Writer | 2020–Present
Independent research and writing platform exploring creative health through personal essays, artist interviews, and research-driven analysis.
Newsletter & Content Development
- Publish weekly Substack newsletter examining the intersection of creativity, mental health, and healing (3,000+ subscribers)
- Conduct ongoing interview series with artists about how health impacts their creative practice across six domains: process, medium, content, productivity, identity, and sustainability
- Translate complex psychological and creative concepts into accessible, resonant content for diverse audiences
- Build engaged community around creative health topics with consistent reader interaction and feedback
Research & Methodology
- Developed six-part Creative Health Framework mapping how health and creativity intersect, used by therapists and artists to understand creative patterns
- Created Visual Interview methodology using images and symbols as alternative to traditional verbal interviews, designed for accessibility and trauma-informed research
- Designed Creative Health Blueprint tool providing personalized assessments of artists’ creative health patterns and adaptive strategies
- Maintain archive of 100+ artist interviews documenting lived experiences at intersection of health and creativity
Publications & Speaking
- Author of multiple books including The Artist’s Mind: The Creative Lives and Mental Health of Famous Artists(Schiffer, 2023)
- Featured expert on Why I Knit Podcast (2023)
- Monthly columnist for Happily Hooked Magazine (2014–2022) and other publications
- Work cited in peer-reviewed academic research
In My Fluffy Pajamas | Co-founder & Program Coordinator | 2023–Present
Trauma-informed arts program using textile art, mapmaking, and storytelling to surface narratives of immigration, displacement, and resilience (collaboration with Iranian-born artist Badri Valian).
Grant Management & Fundraising
- Secured $45,000+ in competitive grants from San Francisco Arts Commission, Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center, Center for Art and Public Life
- Managed all aspects of grant compliance, reporting, and budget oversight
- Developed compelling grant narratives demonstrating community impact and program outcomes
Program Coordination & Partnerships
- Built strategic partnerships with Chinese Culture Center, Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts, 41Ross Gallery, Center for Art and Public Life
- Coordinated multi-site programming across San Francisco and Bay Area locations
- Managed multilingual workshop facilitation (Mandarin, Spanish, Farsi) with professional translators
- Facilitated workshops at Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts, Chinese Culture Center, 41Ross, and Center for Art and Public Life
Community Engagement
- Coordinated large-scale public events engaging 10,000+ participants at Chinatown’s Hungry Ghost Festival and San Francisco Ferry Building
- Designed trauma-informed, culturally responsive programming for immigrant and refugee communities
- Facilitated participant exhibitions including installation at San Francisco City Hall
- Created educational materials featuring historical biographies and cross-cultural craft techniques
Mandalas for Marinke | Founder & Curator | 2015–2018
Global collaborative crochet art project raising awareness about depression, suicide, and healing power of creativity.
Project Management
- Founded and managed international art project resulting in 1,000+ mandala contributions from 300+ makers across multiple countries
- Coordinated all aspects including global outreach, submission management, curation, and exhibition planning
- Published coffee table book documenting project stories and participant experiences
- Managed post-exhibition donation of works to Yarnbombing Los Angeles for continued community impact
Exhibition & Programming
- Curated exhibitions at Gallery de Fox and Grab Bag Studio in Southern California
- Designed and facilitated healing circles creating space for communal mourning and dialogue about mental health
- Coordinated opening receptions, artist talks, and community workshops
- Developed exhibition materials and educational content about depression awareness and craft as therapy
Content Strategy & Writing for Healthcare Organizations | 2021–Present
Center for Mindful Psychotherapy (2021–Present)
- Manage website, newsletter, and content strategy for network of 100+ therapists
- Create SEO-optimized blog content, therapist bios, landing pages, and educational materials
- Coordinate HIPAA-compliant systems and platform management
- Develop monthly newsletters for therapist network and potential clients
Previous Clients: CounselingWise, Well San Francisco, Palo Alto Therapy, Goodman Creatives
Key Responsibilities:
- Content strategy and editorial planning
- Blog writing on topics including CBT, DBT, trauma-informed care, mindfulness, somatic approaches
- Website copywriting and landing page development
- Newsletter creation and email marketing
- SEO optimization and analytics reporting
Additional Program & Public Art Coordination
Liberty Crochet Mural, Northern California Chapter | 2022–Present
- Coordinated public installations at The Drawing Room Annex and The Women’s Building
- Organized panel discussion with healthcare providers, nurses, and artists on reproductive justice
- Secured inclusion in The Women’s Building permanent self-guided audio tour
Collaborative Public Art Projects:
- Knitting Us Together, Mill Valley Arts Commission (2022)
- #100WomenProject: 500+ women, 25+ countries, 2,500+ contributions (2015)
- Yarnopolis, Grand Central Market, Los Angeles (2014)
- CAFAM: Granny Squared, Craft and Folk Art Museum (2013)
- PaperGirl SF (2012)
PUBLICATIONS
Books
The Artist’s Mind: The Creative Lives and Mental Health of Famous Artists | Schiffer Publishing, 2023
Internet Addiction | ABC-CLIO (Health and Medical Issues Today series), 2020
Mandalas For Marinke: A Collaborative Crochet Art Project | Self-published, 2017
Hook to Heal: 100 Crochet Exercises for Health, Growth, Connection, Inspiration | Self-published, 2015
Used by therapists, social workers, and peer counselors in substance rehabilitation programs, prisons, and therapeutic settings
Crochet Saved My Life: The Mental and Physical Health Benefits of Crochet | Self-published, 2012
Cited in peer-reviewed research; established foundational work in crochet-as-therapy field
Freelance Writing & Magazine Work | 2006–Present
Magazine Columns:
- Happily Hooked Magazine: Monthly “Crochet Heals” column (2014–2022)
- Plymouth Yarn Magazine: Monthly craft columnist (2017–2020)
- Interweave Crochet: Print magazine columnist (2013–2016)
Published Work: Articles and content for Psych Central, Marly Bird, Interweave, Sartle, Masterpiece Artist Canvas, Red Heart Yarns, Lion Brand Yarn, Craftsy, About.com, Houzz, and dozens of other platforms covering mental health, creativity, therapeutic craft practices, art history, and wellness.
SKILLS
Program Management & Coordination: Grant writing and compliance, budget oversight and financial reporting, multi-site program coordination, partnership development, stakeholder management, event planning and large-scale public engagement, multilingual program coordination (Mandarin, Spanish, Farsi)
Research & Methodology: Qualitative research design, interview protocol development, thematic analysis and pattern identification, trauma-informed research practices, framework and tool development, data collection, participant recruitment
Community Engagement: Trauma-informed facilitation, cross-cultural collaboration, equity-centered programming, participatory arts methods, healing circles and dialogue facilitation, workshop design and delivery
Content & Communication: Long-form writing (books, articles, essays), content strategy and editorial planning, SEO optimization and analytics, newsletter and email marketing, social media management, public speaking and presentations
Technical: WordPress, Substack, Mailchimp, Google Workspace, Google Analytics and reporting, project management tools, HIPAA-compliant systems coordination
GRANTS & RECOGNITION
Grants Awarded
- San Francisco Arts Commission Artist Grant, $20,000 (2024, with Badri Valian)
- Center for Art and Public Life Impact Award, $15,000 (2024, with Badri Valian)
- Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center USAAF Grant, $10,000 (2024, with Badri Valian)
- Business Training Grant, Invest SF/OEWD (2023)
- CA Dream Fund Grant (2022)
- CERF+ Get Ready Grant (2022)
- CA Relief Grant (2021)
Recognition
- Featured in Innovations in Fibers exhibition, Nine Eighteen Nine Studio Gallery, Charlotte, NC (2025)
- Featured expert, Why I Knit Podcast (2023)
- Runner-up, RenTank Business Pitch (2022)
- Research cited in peer-reviewed journals and used in therapeutic practice
- Multiple blogging and writing awards
EDUCATION
Master of Arts, Psychological Studies
California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco, CA | 2017
Focus: Creative process, mental health, and therapeutic applications of art-making
Visual and Critical Studies, Masters Level
California College of the Arts, San Francisco, CA | 2023–2024
Bachelor of Applied Science, Public Agency Service
Northern Arizona University | 2003
Community Service Emphasis
Associate of Applied Science, Social Work
Pima Community College | 2002
Youth Emphasis