Marymount California University;Rancho Palos Verdes, CA✷ BA Media Studies, Digital Art & Design | AA Theatre Arts, Acting & Production

August 2010 – May 2014

Cumulative GPA: 3.9 | Dean’s List: 8 semesters | Graduated with highest distinction | Magna Cum Laude. Activities and Societies: J. Paul Getty Multicultural Undergraduate Internship, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Delta Epsilon Sigma Honor Society, MCU Arts & Media, MCU Theatre, MCU Arcade Gallery, Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE), Women in Film.

University of San Diego School of Leadership and Education Sciences; The Heart-Centered Connections (HCC) Practitioners Certificate

Issued Jan 2026 | Credential ID EDC-X734Y - 006

Earned the Heart-Centered Connections Practitioner Certificate (Level 1), led by Dr. Niki Elliott. This 37.5-hour, graduate-level professional program centers on cultivating trauma-informed, neuroinclusive learning environments grounded in adult social-emotional wellness. Guided by the principle that meaningful connection precedes learning, the curriculum integrates educational neuroscience, neurodiversity, trauma-informed practice, and social-emotional learning to support emotional resilience and academic success for neurodiverse youth. The program also incorporated experiential practices—including art-making, Taiko drumming, Breath to Balance movement, and breathwork—designed to promote nervous system flexibility.

©Thirsty For Art; Therapeutic Art Facilitation School & Therapeutic Art Biz Course (Visionary Business Course) | Completed training in 2025, provided through the ©Thirsty For Art educational program, designed and led by board certified art therapist Youhjung Son (ATR-BC).

The Hellbent Silversmith; 4-Week Silversmith Course

✷ Completed 12-hours of silversmith training in January 2025 | This hands-on course consisted of four sessions held across four weeks, and took me through the bezel setting process of silversmithing in the form of four different projects.

Course Included:

• All sterling silver materials, tools, and supplies used throughout the course

• 4 original sterling silver jewelry pieces which I created over the 4 week course & took home with me

• 4 hands-on 3 hour classes

• A provided list of equipment and tools needed for a home silversmithing set up

Class Schedule & Lessons Covered:

• Tuesday, January 7th: Creating a standard sterling silver ring and pendant with one stone.

• Tuesday, January 14th: Creating a sterling silver cuff bracelet with a stone centerpiece

• Tuesday, January 21st: Creating a double stone ring with silver accents

• Tuesday, January 28th: Creating a sterling silver bolo tie with a stone centerpiece 

Classes took place at the Hellbent Silversmith brick and mortar location: 433 East 1st Street, Long Beach, CA 90802.

The Hellbent Silversmith; Private Silversmith Workshop

✷ Completed 2-hour Introductory training on January 1, 2025, on how to craft an original sterling silver ring with all materials included.

Workshop took place at the Hellbent Silversmith brick and mortar location: 433 East 1st Street, Long Beach, CA.

Cornell University; Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate Program Awarded August 13, 2023 by the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies through eCornell

Cornell University; Wellness Counseling Certificate Program Awarded May 9, 2023 through eCornell

Be There Certificate ✷Awarded January 29, 2023 by Eric Windeler Jack.org, Founder and Cynthia Germanotta Born This Way Foundation, Co-Founder.

UCLArts & Healing; Certificate Program in Social Emotional Arts (SEA) ✷ Spring 2022 Cohort , Social Emotional Healing Arts Instructor Training ✷ April 2, 2022 - June 26, 2022

LMU Yoga Studies;Los Angeles, CA; Yoga Therapy Rx Level III (Clinic) ; Dr. Larry Payne & Samata International ✷ Yoga Therapy Rx- 500C ✷ October 2020- August 2021

YOGA AFTER 50 (PRIME OF LIFE YOGA ®) Live Teacher Training Zoom 4-day intensive - Level 3 Certification (October 22-25, 2020) + Level 1 Certification (March 11-14, 2021)

Topics Covered: Chair Yoga Theory & Practice: Sitting and Standing • Restorative Yoga: Self-Care Elevated • Joint Freeing Postures & Routines (Pawanmuktasana) • Advanced Pranayama • The Importance of the Pelvic Floor • Death and Dying • Looking at the whole picture for the benefit of the client (Sampurna Chikitsam) • Meditation & Aging

LMU Yoga Studies;Los Angeles, CA; Yoga Therapy Rx I & II; Dr. Larry Payne & Samata International ✷ Yoga Therapy Rx-500 (YTRx-500) ✷ October 2019- August 2020

Los Angeles Harbor Community College; Wilmington, CA

Ceramics, Yoga, and Psychology studies.

August 2018 – June 2019

Cumulative GPA: 4.0 | Activities and Societies: Part-Time Dean’s Honor List, CSU/UC credits. ✷ Courses Completed:

• ART Beginning Ceramics I & Advanced Ceramics II,

• PSYCH General Psychology & Life-Span Psychology,

• KIN Yoga Skills - I & Yoga Skills - II,

• MUSIC Singing / Vocal Coaching for Performance.

Saving Innocence;CSEC Advocacy Course Certificate of Completion; Presented by Saving Innocence Academy & Dallas CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Credential ID: cert_4886m8mb✷ Awarded January 6, 2021

Center for Adolescent Studies, Inc.; Trauma-Informed Care for Professionals Working with Youth (The 4-Module "Essentials" Course) Certificate of Completion; Sam Himelstein, Ph.D. ✷ November 29, 2020

Sojourn: The People Concern; Santa Monica, CA; Domestic Violence Counselor Training Certification (Fall 2018) ✷Awarded upon completion by Pat Butler, Sojourn Director (Spring 2020)

Yoga Skills I & II; Los Angeles Harbor College ✷ 2018-2019 ✷ Nokor Omaobe | 4.0

Kundalini Yoga; Santa Ana, CA ✷ 2016-2019 ✷ Ram Dass Bir Singh Khalsa

Long Beach School of Yoga (CSULB); Long Beach, CA ✷ December 2016 ✷ Ram Bhakt ✷ 200-RYT Certification, Yoga Teacher Training/Yoga Therapy | 4.0

CSU Monterey Bay Summer Arts Intensive; Seaside, CA Summer 2012

Chicago Style Comedy & Improvisation, 4.0

Won an audition-based scholarship through KCACTF to attend CSUMB Summer Arts. Trained in the fundamentals of Chicago style comedy, improvisation, and sketch writing with instructors David Razowsky, Amy Seeley, Eric Hunicutt, and James Grace. The course culminated in a full-length improv and sketch performance.

Founded in 2010, Art & Wellness is an independent creative and wellness practice led by Ebony T. Perry (also known as Ebony T. Perry-Retana). The project manifests through multimedia art production and exhibitions; pop-up installations; festivals; and facilitated workshops, centering expressive arts, embodied experience, creativity, somatic learning, and collective well-being.

Ebony T. Perry (also known as Ebony T. Perry-Retana) (she/her/ella) is a lifelong multicultural multimedia artist, designer, and arts educator. Born in Santa Monica, California, and raised in the historic port town of San Pedro, California. As the creatrix behind Art & Wellness projects - she specializes in expressive multimedia art (visual, performing, and visual therapeutic arts) and facilitating heart-centered holistic wellness practices. 

Ebony holds a B.A. in Media Studies with a concentration in Digital Art and Design, and an A.A. in Theatre Arts with an emphasis in Acting & Production from Marymount California University. Her expertise extends to yoga therapy, where she is a certified practitioner (500 RYT, YTRX, IAYT) and experienced wellness director. Ebony completed her yoga studies with the Long Beach School of Yoga (now My Yoga Network), Los Angeles Harbor College, Samata International, and Loyola Marymount University’s Yoga Therapy Program.

Furthermore, Ebony has extensive, trauma-informed training as a Social Emotional Arts facilitator through the UCLArts & Healing SEA Certificate Program (now the Arts & Healing Initiative), earned certificates in Wellness Counseling and Plant-Based Nutrition from Cornell University, and completed the Therapeutic Art Facilitation School through the ©Thirsty For Art educational program in 2025—whose mission is to inspire creativity and provide people with access to expressive arts around the world.

Ebony remains dedicated to art and wellness education and independent research, continuing her journey as a passionate and ever-evolving healing artist.

As a youth, during her time as a student at MCU and beyond, she was heavily involved in creative community projects, volunteer and nonprofit work, and the following studio arts: graphic design, costume design, painting, drawing and illustration, sewing and embroidery, ballet, ceramics, theatre productions, creative writing, photography, and independent filmmaking. She also developed her skills and contributed to the Los Angeles art scene through internships and work with the Grand Vision Foundation, MCU Arcade Gallery, Angels Gate Cultural Center, Musicians Institute in Hollywood, and by earning a spot in the prestigious J. Paul Getty Multicultural Internship Program.

After completing her undergraduate internship with the Getty Foundation in 2014 and pursuing freelance art and design work for local clients, she was invited back to her alma mater to work as an Arts and Media Gallery Manager. There, she continued to sharpen her skills and fuel her passions by helping peer-mentor undergraduate MCU Arts and Media students, curating exhibitions with art professors and various international artists, and coordinating film festivals, art lectures, and other dynamic public arts events for community enrichment. Always invigorated by exploring and integrating the many realms of traditional art and digital media, Ebony continues to produce, consult for, collaborate on, and help direct several freelance art and creative design projects as part of her personal practice and trade.

Her multimedia artwork draws inspiration from botanical and celestial imagery, pop art, surrealism, bohemian and gothic aesthetics, Pre-Colombian and Indigenous art traditions, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, folk, and Renaissance art. Her practice is further shaped by themes of journeying, healing, the ocean, and honoring her Creole and Guatemalan heritage—and beyond. She holds a deep appreciation for the beauty and insight found in folklore, textile art, nature, dreams, poetry, music, ritual, cinema, the cosmos, symbolism, and the life-shaping experiences that continue to inform her creative vision.

Themes and topics that continually awaken her curiosity and prompt her to explore new ways of storytelling revolve around travel, the humanities, and many movements in art history, as well as promoting peace, the power of love, and finding liberation through imagination, play, and creativity. With her versatile background and profound passion for wisdom and expression, Ebony seeks to continue generating unique and meaningful art content that enkindles deep-rooted thought and inspiration.

Ebony also teaches, curates, and co-facilitates community workshops, art exhibitions, festivals, and pop-up experiences shaped by her lifelong devotion to art and wellness education and research. Her multimedia work has been published and exhibited nationally and internationally. Beyond her professional practice, Ebony finds joy in quiet and creative rituals — stand-up paddleboarding, practicing guitar, savoring a good cup of tea, thrifting and antiquing, exploring vintage fashion and silversmithing — and in creating treasured memories with loved ones.

"Let nothing dim the light that shines from within." ~ Maya Angelou

“Great to work with as an arts administrator/designer”

— Peggy Sivert | Founder & Executive Director of SoLA Contemporary

“Ebony is focused, considerate and concerned about all people and her clients”

— Prof. Lyndia Johnson | Voice Coaching & Vocal Wellness Expert | Owner and Founder of Sterling Voice Coaching (SVC) Est. 1995

“Ms. Ebony is very thorough and detailed! This young lady knows her stuff! very, very professional!”

— Sandra Bautista | Organizational Administrator- Contracts & Grants, Manager/Administration- Certified Trainer, Developer & Designer

“Great Artist with great personality!”

— Cesar Duarte | Owner of MJM Graphics in San Pedro, CA | "The 5-star printing source for San Pedro since 1977"

“I have worked with and studied with this woman and she has the most incredible study and work ethic. Her attention to detail and dedication to getting the job done makes her an essential asset to the success of any business or corporation. She is not only a talented graphic designer, whose work was praised all through the year following her senior exhibition show in the fall, but she is also an actress whose performance in multiple stage shows and film works over the years have aided in the believability of the pieces. I know some of these wonderful qualities rubbed off on me and for that I can’t express enough gratitude. ”

— Kylee Norfleet | SFX Makeup & Costume Artist / Professional Esthetician

“Ebony has worked at Seen&Heard for 5+ years and done an incredible job. As our Director of Wellness, Ebony’s main role is in one on one wellness counseling for our students. Ebony brings to her work a rare combination of artistic vision, trauma-informed care, and community-rooted leadership. In her earliest role as Instructor and Alumni Program Coordinator, Ebony demonstrated a deep commitment to relationship-building, equitable support, and long-term impact. She created meaningful engagement opportunities for alumni—many of whom are navigating complex systems such as foster care, housing insecurity, or survivorship from trafficking—and played a central role in alumni and student recruitment and retention efforts across the organization. Her skill in building trust, cultivating belonging, and nurturing student potential helped to shape the relational foundation of our programming.

What sets Ebony apart is not only her training—including certifications in trauma-informed care, social emotional arts, yoga therapy, and wellness counseling—but her ability to lead with empathy, creativity, and cultural responsiveness. She is a visionary educator, a compassionate healer, and a trusted teammate whose presence uplifts any space she enters. I recommend Ebony T. Perry-Retana without hesitation. Any organization, school, or creative collective would be fortunate to benefit from her passion, insight, and dedication to transformation.”

— Regan Williams | CEO, Seen&Heard

“Ebony is a certified yoga therapist and incredible teacher. Her flow and choice of movements were perfectly aligned for the end of week and Full Moon’s energy of transformation. We did breath work and also arts therapy in her flow. She read affirmations as well throughout the flow which was beautiful. We ended with tapping which I absolutely loved. She inspired me and planted seeds for ideas of how to hold space for a class that is regenerative and multi-modal. I felt like I went on a journey with Ebony awakening all of my senses because of her multi-modal approach which was diverse and vibrant.”

— Paola M. | Black Light Arts Collective "Wellness Series" 2022 Workshop Attendee

“Thank you so much for your guidance and sharing space~~~~so much love in every breath! It was soo soothing and gentle, nothing too intense or intimidating. I loved every second of it. I wrote down some of the words you used during meditation - I want to incorporate these words when meditating and connecting to source. When you were showing us the breathing exercises, I had a little bouquet of lilies in front of me and naturally their petals started dropping and it was so beautiful to see that alignment happening as I was inhaling and exhaling. Would love to attend more sessions!”

— Palak M. | "Shared Self Care" Hosted by Tamara Hossain @tomartamara (Zoom) Virtual Journaling & Yoga Workshop Attendee

“I loved the chakra guided meditation the best! It was an amazing visualization exercise that helped me feel way more connected to the parts of my body I sometimes ignore. Ebony led a great meditation to end the class! I really enjoyed the class with Tamara and Ebony overall! ”

— Savannah P. | "Shared Self Care" Hosted by Tamara Hossain @tomartamara (Zoom) Virtual Journaling & Yoga Workshop Attendee

“Thank you, Ebony!! So relaxing! Aligning and Balancing!”

— Barbara Dinow | Big Sunday Community Member & MA@2 Virtual Wellness Session Attendee

“I love this one!”

— Beenish Dhanani | Executive Program Manager at Big Sunday & MA@2 Virtual Wellness Session Attendee

“Thank you so much! this was lovely.”

— Meryl Shader | Big Sunday Community Member & MA@2 Virtual Wellness Session Attendee

“This is so nice and relaxing <3 thank you Ebony!”

— Lauren Calogero | Program Assistant at Big Sunday & MA@2 Virtual Wellness Session Attendee