Mahnaz Edalat

Mahnaz Edalat, better known as May, is the Director of Art Prodigy and the founder of the Art Prodigy Program. She is the mother of two children, has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of London, England, and received her Master’s Degree training from University of Cardiff in Wales, England.

May is an accomplished art instructor with 25 years of experience as an independent fine artist. She has studied child development and child psychology as they relate to artistic training and self-expression and, having witnessed the positive effect that artistic training can have on young minds, is also a proponent of Howard Gardner’s work on “multiple intelligences.” 

In recent times, May has taken to writing and illustrating creative, beautiful books that convey the positive, self-affirming messages essential to the development of healthy psychology in children.

A Family Business

As of 2024, May is ecstatic to share that her lovely, creative daughter Roxanna has joined the team helping to make Art Prodigy a reality for so many in the Marietta and north Atlanta communities.

In addition to being a painter herself, Roxanna is a licensed Nurse Practitioner with a master’s certification in Psychiatry. Roxanna periodically assists or co-facilitates classes alongside May while running the administrative side of things (so you may hear from her!). She currently lives in Old Fourth Ward with her fiance (woo!) and Kira, their curious Husky mix.

We look forward to getting to know you!