Danielle Saeva

Danielle Saeva is a Buffalo-based artist, muralist, and educator whose interdisciplinary practice explores the intersections of psychology, spirituality, memory, and human connection. Working primarily in oil paint while also incorporating collage, installation, performance, and public art, she creates immersive, narrative-driven works that invite reflection, healing, and personal transformation.

Saeva earned her BFA from Buffalo State University in 2019, with a minor in Art Therapy, and received the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Art and Design. While still a student, she presented Concerning Fate at the 1045 Elmwood Gallery, signaling the emergence of a distinctive artistic voice rooted in questions of identity, experience, and meaning.

In addition to her studio practice, Saeva has become a prominent figure in Western New York’s public art community. Her murals can be found throughout the region, including Garden at the Lafayette Court Building in downtown Buffalo, which was named Buffalo Spree’s Best New Mural of 2024. She has also collaborated with the public art team at the Buffalo AKG Art Museum and participated in projects that bring art into everyday public spaces.

A dedicated arts educator, Saeva has taught drawing, painting, watercolor, and plein air techniques to students of all skill levels. As an instructor at Locust Street Art, she emphasized technical development while encouraging personal expression and creative growth. Her teaching is informed by both traditional painting practices and her background in art therapy. More recently she has served as an Oishei Children's Hospital Artist in Residence since 2024.

Central to Saeva’s career is a commitment to making art accessible beyond conventional gallery settings. She has led creative programs in nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, schools, and correctional facilities, using art as a tool for communication, self-discovery, and community building. She currently serves as Artist-in-Residence at John R. Oishei Children's Hospital, where she works with young patients and families, demonstrating the power of art to provide comfort, connection, and resilience during challenging times.

Through her murals, educational initiatives, and studio practice, Saeva continues to champion the idea that art should meet people where they are—serving not only as an aesthetic experience, but also as a catalyst for empathy, reflection, and healing.