ERIN MCGRATH RIEKE

Community Advocate | Writer | Artist | Educator
St. Louis, Missouri

SUMMARY

Erin McGrath Rieke is an interdisciplinary artist, writer, advocate, and community educator whose work explores the intersection of creativity, mental health, trauma, recovery, resilience, and social change.

Drawing from lived experience, academic study, and decades of community engagement, her work utilizes visual art, writing, public dialogue, and experiential programming to foster connection, challenge stigma, and encourage meaningful conversations surrounding mental health, addiction recovery, survivor advocacy, and identity.

Her work has been exhibited throughout the Midwest and featured through collaborative presentations, educational programs, and advocacy initiatives in communities across the country. These partnerships have brought together artists, healthcare professionals, educators, nonprofit leaders, and advocates committed to advancing awareness, resilience, and meaningful social change.

Erin believes creativity is not a luxury but a fundamental human resource for healing, resilience, self-discovery, and connection.

Through advocacy, education, writing, public engagement, and the arts, she works to create opportunities for individuals and communities to feel seen, heard, valued, and empowered.

Her mission is to bridge lived experience, research, creativity, and community engagement to foster understanding, hope, recovery, and meaningful social impact.

EXPERIENCE

Just E Productions – Founder & Executive Director – Maplewood, Missouri
2020 – Present

  • Founded and directs a multidisciplinary organization dedicated to mental health awareness, advocacy, creativity, education, writing, and community engagement. Develops programs, workshops, campaigns, community discussions, fundraising initiatives, and educational resources focused on healing, resilience, recovery, and human connection.

Divinemoira Studio – Founder & Creative Director – Maplewood, Missouri
2010 – 2020

  • Established and led an independent visual arts studio producing exhibitions, installations, public art projects, community partnerships, fundraising initiatives, and creative programming throughout the Midwest and beyond.

Angel Band Project – Visual Art Ambassador – University City, Missouri
2009 – 2018

  • Provided creative leadership, advocacy support, fundraising initiatives, exhibition development, and public engagement opportunities supporting survivors of sexual violence and gender-based trauma.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Missouri Chapter – Advocacy Committee Member – Missouri
2020 – Present

  • Supports statewide advocacy efforts focused on suicide prevention, mental health awareness, public policy initiatives, and improving access to care.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) St. Louis – Advocacy Committee Member – Creve Coeur, Missouri
2020 – Present

  • Participates in community education, advocacy initiatives, stigma reduction efforts, and public awareness campaigns focused on mental illness and recovery.

RedBike Outreach – Volunteer & Community Advocate – Central West End, Missouri
2020 – Present

  • Provides volunteer leadership, outreach support, community engagement, resource navigation, and advocacy for individuals and families impacted by mental illness, addiction, trauma, housing insecurity, and other life challenges.

Peer Support Specialist & Recovery Mentor – St. Louis, Missouri
2020 – Present

  • Provides ongoing peer support, recovery mentorship, advocacy, education, and lived-experience guidance to individuals navigating co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.

SKILLS

Mental Health Advocacy, Addiction Recovery Advocacy, Community Leadership, Suicide Prevention Awareness, Trauma-Informed Creative Practice, Peer Support & Recovery Education, Writing & Memoir, Creative Healing, Arts-Based Community Engagement, Storytelling for Social Impact

EDUCATION

Loyola University Chicago
Political Science Studies
Chicago, Illinois

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS

American Psychological Association
Psychology of Anxiety, Mood, Substance Use, and Addictive Behaviors Specialization (2026)
Anxiety and Related Disorders (2025)
Depressive and Bipolar Disorders (2026)
Disorders Due to Substance Use and Addictive Behaviors (2026)

Johns Hopkins University
Psychological First Aid (2025)

Yale University
Addiction Treatment: Clinical Skills for Healthcare Providers (2024)

Stanford University
International Women’s Health and Human Rights (2024)

University of Virginia
Motivational Enhancement Techniques: Working with Patients with Opioid and Substance Use Disorders (2024)

University of Michigan
Social Work Practice: Advocating Social Justice and Change (2024)

University of California, Santa Cruz
Feminism and Social Justice (2024)

University of Amsterdam
Classical Sociological Theory (2024)

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Emory University
The Addicted Brain

Wesleyan University
Schizophrenia

American Psychological Association
Additional studies in psychological disorders, trauma, recovery, and behavioral health

PROJECTS

I AM. I AM. I AM.

  • A long-term public archival project exploring identity, memory, healing, resilience, and personal transformation through journals, photographs, artwork, writing, and storytelling.

Art for a Cause

  • A charitable initiative utilizing art, fundraising, education, and community partnerships to support organizations focused on mental health, addiction recovery, suicide prevention, survivor advocacy, and community well-being.

Aria Rising Project

  • A participatory installation providing messages of hope, encouragement, and solidarity for survivors of gender-based violence.

Turbulence Behind Tranquility

  • A multidisciplinary experiential exhibit exploring mental illness, stigma, resilience, and recovery through visual art, writing, music, and community dialogue.

Creative Meditation

  • A collection of workshops, writings, reflections, and experiences designed to encourage mindfulness, self-awareness, creativity, and personal growth.

HONORS & RECOGNITION

The Stephens-Maxim Award for Design (2015, 2018)

Best Interactive Exhibition, Visual Art Alliance (2017)

EVOKE Exhibition Recognition, Regional Arts Commission (2017)

Volunteer of the Year, Angel Band Project (2018)

Humanitarian Award, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church (2019)

AFFILIATIONS

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)
Trevor Project
RedBike Outreach
Angel Band Project
Regional Arts Commission