About
ARtist, ENTREPRENEUR, & mindfulness teacher
As Co Owner of Vallefuoco Contractors since 1999, Gianna has spent over two decades helping thousands of clients manifest their creative tile and marble projects in the Washington, DC area. Trained as an artist in figurative oil painting in Florence, Italy, she uses her art background and principles from her undergraduate degree in psychology to help clients make mindful construction design decisions, and to create Intentional Spaces in their homes. Construction is not Gianna’s only gig. She is a certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher with a passion for teaching fellow humans to thrive, and the science behind thriving.
Gianna carries years of experience in compassionate leadership in the construction industry and through mindfulness-based coursework with SIYLI, Beyond Om, and Thrive Yoga. She completed a two year practicum as an MMTCP certified mindfulness instructor through UC Berkeley’s Awareness Training Institute and Greater Good Science Center with Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield. Recognizing the deep connection between mindfulness and neuroscience, she continued her studies in Interpersonal Neurobiology with Dr Dan Siegel. She incorporates the “Mindsight Approach To Wellbeing,” to bring a multi-faceted approach to her teaching. Gianna works regularly with the police force and construction industry, focusing on compassion, crisis intervention training, and self care.
Gianna’s student base now spans populations across the globe, including law enforcement and first responders, psychologists, non-profits, public and private schools and universities, trade associations, private companies, and retreat centers. Her mindfulness and creativity workshops are known to bring her students to all kinds of tears; most often deeply cathartic ones, and sometimes those from belly-aching laughter. Her method for skillfully navigating common human struggles is based on areas of study she holds dear. She gently weaves art, eastern wisdom, neurobiology, and psychology concepts into her programs. Gianna’s own passion project is Disability Inclusion Guild®; a 501(c)3 dedicated to breaking social barriers for people with disabilities. She believes a conscious intention and self compassion are the key to self empowerment.
“To create anything, we must be intentional. Intention steers us from the heart & saves us from the ego.”
Gianna Vallefuoco
Services & Events
MINDFULNESS WORKSHOPS
Customized for your group – Whether you’re looking for tools to to regulate emotions, improve relationships, find motivation, or break unwanted habits, mindfulness can empower you to make long term shifts to navigate life skillfully. Expect to create deeper connection with yourself and others, and learn to thrive in each aspect of life. We each have the capacity to overcome challenges, fulfill our deep desires, and find purpose and joy in our lives.
INTUITIVE ART SESSIONS
Small Groups in the Art Studio Join me in my own home in my N Bethesda, MD art studio (or at your location) to harness your creative spirit. No art experience required. I believe we are all artists. In this small group session, we practice mindfulness, unleash your innate creativity, and help you discover your intuitive calling or purpose. You will create your own artwork to keep forever. All art supplies and media will be provided. Bring only an open mind and heart.
RETREATS OF A LIFETIME
Life Changing Retreats join me for the RETREAT OF A LIFETIME in different locations across the globe. This one is at Relais Ortaglia with Sandy Ferretti, Sandy Abrams, Elia Nichols and me. Learn concrete ways to optimize your life through breath, voice, posture, intuition, and creativity.
More info on future retreats to follow soon…
As humans, we tend to conform to social norms to be accepted. Often this means suppressing our innate calling in order to do what’s expected of us. This includes how we choose our friends, life partners, studies, professions, and our belief systems as a whole. We attach to the identity we create so we can feel like we fit in. Unfortunately, this can mean abandoning our intuitive calling, “our truth.” After years of feeling unfulfilled, despite a seemingly successful life, I was able to quiet the influences around me, to find my own truth, and reconnect with my calling. I found a way to weave my existing life into my new life as an artist and a teacher empowering others to create their own ideal lives. Join me to create your own truth, your purpose-driven life.
Recent Stories
We got to savor the art of the brilliant Elizabeth Casqueiro at the Embassy of Portugal with my youngest masterpiece @biancavallefuoco_ Obrigada @piressandra1 for such a special evening! If you’re in the DC area, the exhibition is on for a year! Don’t miss it. And take a peek at the life-size ceramic tile couple installed by @vallefuococontractors almost 20 years ago in the embassy entrance. Art is everywhere! #art #artistsofdc #artexhibitions #artistsoninstagram #dcculture #portugesebeauty
How I’ve missed my Famiglia di Napoli who took me in as their own 26 years ago before I could even speak Italian or appreciate the beauty of Napoli.l Forza Napoli (e Sant’Antimo) Auguri per lo scudetto ⚽️💙🎉Thank you famiglia for feeding us with so much love @paolastasi____ @annettaevincenzovall and Francanella! Purtroppo non ho le foto di @lucian_ped @marina_pedata @peddy07 e la prossima generazione ma state nel mio cuore! #famiglia #napoli #napolinelcuore
Il Ponte Vecchio non si invecchia mai. It never gets old! Loving this local band @ragazziscimmia #musica #firenze #pontevecchio #localbands #firenzedinotte
Still savoring my last days in Florence after co-leading our morning retreat workshops with the fabulous @elianichols Photo creds to @isivallefuoco and @biancavallefuoco_ Grazie mille to the team at @palazzosanniccolo for your beautiful space and wonderful service! And to the amazing ladies with whom we shared these retreats, you made this moment unforgettable! 🙏🏼🇮🇹💜 #florenceitaly #italyretreats #mindfulness #wisdomontap #selfcompassion #meditation #selfcare #womenupliftingwomen #italylovers #firenze #
Lion’s breath with my amazing colleague @elianichols at our first morning retreat of the week in Florence 🇮🇹 Big gratitude to the breathwork guru and uplifter @sandyabrams who brought us together 3 years ago! #italyretreat #mindfulness #breathwork #meditation #selfcompassion #neuroscience #selfexpression #alexandermethod #wisdomontap #firenze #lionsbreath
Please join me via Zoom from my art studio on Tuesday May 16th at 7pm EST for the NTCA Artisan Roundtable Live! I’m beyond excited to collaborate with the crazy-talented NTCA Artisan Team, Angie Ré, Joshua Nordstrom and Lee Callewaert for The Artisan Roundtable interactive Zoom event! Bring your paper, and pencil, pen or markers to unleash the artist within! I’ll be guiding us through a mindful art activity as we all participate in the creative process and explore how to coax your inner artist out to play! The artisan team will share their years of training and wisdom, to teach you about intuitive art, controlled mistakes, and the processes artisans use to create tile artwork. This is a “don’t miss” event and it’s free!
“We are All Artists: How to Unleash the Artist Within” is an interactive session!
Free registration link in my bio for Artisans Roundtable or https://www.tile-assn.com/page/ntca-roundtables
#intuitiveart #artattack #art #mindfulness #tileartisans #artisforeveryone #tileinstallation #artistsofinstagram #courage #curiosity #wisdomontap #artisanontap #skilledtrades #letscreate #creativity #creativelife #weareallartists #artisans #Mindfulness #justcreate #sketchwithme #drawing #creativefreedom #ntca #tileart #nationaltilecontractorsassociation
A dark cloudy day defied the weather forecast and turned into unexpected DC sunshine 🌞 Leo blessed the lawn of every Smithsonian before collapsing at the Capitol for a pic taken by some delightful tourists. I’d forgotten how beautiful this city is! So often we miss the beauty in our own backyard. #dogsofdc #washingtondclife #dcsunshine #dcvibes #smithsonianmuseums
Got to surprise my baby for her initiation. So grateful to the incredible young ladies of @nyuaephi who orchestrated the surprise! I even got to sit in on their chapter meeting and witness this inspiring group of young and diverse women uplifting and supporting each other. A moment I’ll never forget. Congrats to the newest sisters! #sisterhood #womenupliftingwomen #girlpower #sisters #aephi
When Passover and Easter collide, the outcome is singing, eating and merging cultures of matzoh and focaccia! We were blessed with so much love and talent all weekend with visits from all over the globe. I’m still savoring the artistic, musical, and culinary brilliance of @clayabramssings @brenduhabrams @chef.danielegagliotta @danimossy #gratitude #pizzanapoletana #operasinging #InterfaithHarmony #napolifood #jewishfood #joy #wisdomontap #InclusiveHolidays
My cup runneth over once again! This is what heavily MEDITATED police officers look like after an afternoon of mindfulness and a few lions breaths. Mindfulness training is now a core part of this police academy’s curriculum. Thank you Captain Barrett for letting me be a part of this culture-changing work over the last couple years. I am always humbled by the compassion, candor, and vulnerability of my students. I learn so much from you! #gratitude #selfcompassion #mindfulness #meditation #policemindfulness #changingcultures #dcpolice #commonhumanity #compassionatepolicing #wisdomontap
Tile friends, please join me April 18-21 at Coverings in Orlando, FL and prioritize yourselves! There will be some wonderful self-care opportunities for you. Link in bio. The Coverings Lounge will focus on four key themes of Coverings 2023 – Sustainability, Outdoor Spaces, Timeless Luxury, and Health & Wellness. I’ll be offering mindfulness classes throughout the week, geared to optimizing the mind and body for thinking and feeling well. I will focus heavily on how to navigate daily life stressors, and how to shift from merely surviving to truly thriving. #mindfulness #coverings #selfcompassion #wellness #wisdomontap
Celebrating 100 years of the Italian Airforce! It’s hard to believe it existed already in 1923! The Italian ambassador shared HER gratitude for the airforce alliance between Italy and the USA! With beautiful music, delicious food by the talented @orocateringdc and @maryrag72 , and our wonderful friends who serve in the Italian military forces @stefaniat2018 @chiariziamarilisa @perry_969 #joy #gratitude #italy🇮🇹 #amici #gratitudine #gioia Sto ancora sognando alla pizza napoletana!
Blog
WHY CAN’T I MEDITATE?
ONE SMALL SHIFT TOWARD STILLNESS Many of us are curious about the concept of meditation, but we may feel we're not cut out for it or we don't understand what the benefits could be. In fact, some non meditators have even expressed to me that it looks like...
Happy Birthday America! Today’s Your Day To Look In The Mirror
How a little self reflection can unite our divided nation Our air right now is thick with momentum, amidst the clash of a viral illness and a viral movement for change. The pandemic has left us far too starved for human connection to let the winds of change pass us by...