Jane loves inspiring artists to find their unique voice with art play and experimentation! She has taught design and illustration at Pratt Institute and at the former after-school arts studio Brooklyn Design Lab. She has served as Volunteer Director of events in the Bellevue Hospital Child Psychiatry unit for the arts non-profit Ink Well Kids Foundation. Jane loved her month abroad volunteer-teaching 3 year olds in a favela school in Salvador, Brazil. (Despite the language barrier, in creating art together, there was communication and connection!) Jane is also a seasoned book designer and Illustrator/lettering artist. Notable projects include a stationery line p.s. bella by Jane Archer, illustrations for The BAP Handbook (a bestseller still in print 20+ years later!)  books for Clinton Kelly and Kristi Yamaguchi, the Our NYC  floor puzzle, design and lettering for the New York Book Show award-winning Oz the Complete Collection, and most recently, Art Direction and design for The Story of Biography series.

Chelsea is an artist and designer who’s worked within the creative field over the past decade. From private art studios to museums, she’s educated children and adults alike in hands-on arts related workshops and classes. Her work as a professional artist focus mainly on paintings, book binding, and mixed media arts.

Destiny (she/her) is a Brooklyn native, with over six years of teaching experience and more than eight years as a practicing professional artist. She holds a BFA in General Fine Arts with a minor in Painting from the Maryland Institute College of Art. As a multimedia artist, she primarily focuses on collage and drawing, while also having experience with textiles, ceramics (handbuilding), printmaking, and painting. Destiny’s teaching philosophy revolves around fostering an open, curiosity-driven space, where she believes there is no single “right” way to create.

Analina was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. She is in pursuit of a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education, later mastering in Art Therapy. Analina believes that making Art is not only for Artist; Art is about being a thinker, it’s about having and sharing ideas, it encourages problem solving techniques and to communicate feelings. These are qualities that are important in all aspects of life. She reminds her students to try their best, it doesn’t have to be perfect, it’s beautiful because you made it! Analina welcomed her baby boy August 2021.

Erica is an educator and designer here in Brooklyn. Her professional background is in type design and Graphic Design, and she has been in the design field for over 10 years. Graduating from RISD with a degree in Illustration and Graphic Design, she is currently in the master's program at CCNY for Art Education. Erica believes in the expansiveness of art making. Art allows for self-expression, exploration, and communication.

Theo is an educator and creative, with a degree in Environmental Studies from NYU. They have primarily worked in childcare and childhood education from pre-K to fifth grade. As a teacher, they focus on play and experimentation as tools for learning, and they hope to foster creativity and curiosity in children without stress or judgment. They love planning and leading lessons on cooking, arts and crafts, and gardening. As an artist, Theo likes to dabble in different media, whether it is printmaking, embroidery, or graphic design, but they feel most comfortable with just a pen and paper. When they are not teaching children or drawing, you can find them playing ultimate frisbee, exploring cafes, or napping with their cat.

Johanna is a practicing artist and educator, living and working in Brooklyn. She holds an MFA in photography, video and related media from the School of Visual Arts, New York, and a BFA in photography and film from Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Boston. She received her teaching certificate from Parsons School of Design, New York. Her work has been shown nationally and internationally, and she has been awarded artist residencies at programs in Berlin and New Mexico. Johanna’s art practice mirrors her teaching approach - one based in process, exploration and experimentation. Johanna has taught children of all ages at schools and after school programs throughout New York City. She is also a fan of doing big family art projects with her own three kids.

Val Hayes is a multidisciplinary artist born and based in Brooklyn. Their work has expressed itself across several mediums and disciplines–especially live sketching, papier-mâché, collage, and ink drawings. They graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology in 2018 with an AAS degree in Illustration, and plan to spend next year pursuing a BFA to fulfill their dream of becoming a full-time art educator. Their passion for art combined with their experience as an art instructor and paraprofessional for students with diverse needs has given them ample opportunity to foster exciting, safe environments for students to nurture their creativity and explore art.

Joyce Lau is a multidisciplinary artist born and raised in Brooklyn. They graduated with a B.F.A in graphic design and Arts Management. Their artistic journey spans in ceramics, fiber arts, photography, and digital art, always experimenting with new forms of expression. Joyce is deeply committed to giving back to their community through volunteer work and mentorship. They host workshops to teach aspiring artists various techniques and skills across different mediums. She wants art to be both affordable and accessible, believing in its power to offer an escape from the pressures of the world!

Kes is an artist and educator who recently moved back to Brooklyn to pursue their MFA. They received their BFA in Interrelated Media from Massachusetts College of Art and Design, where they focused on painting, animation, poetry, and mixed-media projects. Their professional background is in interactive media and education. In his personal artistic practice and in his teaching, Kes centers play and experimentation. Kes believes in creating an inclusive collaborative classroom through adaptive teaching techniques. Art is for everyone and play is required in cultivating creativity and joy. Art education is an essential part of developing the imagination of the future.

Catherine is an illustrator based in both Brooklyn and Connecticut. She received a BFA in Communications Design (Illustration emphasis) with a Creative Writing minor from Pratt Institute. She currently works as an extracurricular art instructor at various schools across New York City and has exhibited and sold work at MoCCA Arts Fest, FlameCon, and Queen B Coffee Company. In her personal work, Catherine primarily specializes in digital painting, heavily emphasizing storytelling at the heart of what she makes.

Marielle received her BFA in Printmaking from SUNY Purchase, where she developed a strong foundation in craft, process, and play. Raised mostly in upstate New York, she carries with her a love of nature and the grounding qualities of creative work. A passionate reader and writer, she finds inspiration in fiction, poetry, and expressive writing, which continually informs her artistic practice. As a printmaker, Marielle is drawn to the meditative, hands-on nature of process and the way art-making cultivates patience, focus, and imagination. Through her work, she strives to share creativity as a meaningful, life-shaping practice that connects people more deeply to themselves and the world around them.

Kareem Moumina was born in Washington, D.C. and earned his degree from New York University’s Steinhardt School of Education, where he studied Studio Art and Art History. He is a painter who works primarily out of his studio in Lower Manhattan, which he shares with his older sister—also an artist based in New York. Kareem believes deeply in the unifying power of art—a guiding principle that shapes both his creative and teaching philosophy. Through his paintings and his teaching, he seeks to inspire connection and help others discover a deeper sense of belonging in the world around them. His passion for teaching began during a summer in Tokyo, Japan, where he led children in exploring painting techniques and created demonstrations inspired by the region’s colorful birdlife. Kareem encourages his students to trust their instincts and express the uniqueness of each day through their art. He believes that every artist carries an inner child within—a spirit of wonder that, when followed, becomes one of life’s greatest adventures.

Milo O’Connell Is an interdisciplinary Artist and Teacher pursuing a dual enrollment BFA/MA in Dramatic arts and arts management at The New School College Of Performing Arts. She loves working with young artists and has been teaching visual art for 8 years, with a focus on mixed media exploration. She believes in the unshakeable power of art and silliness.

Nayvine is an artist, designer, & philanthropist born and raised in Kansas City Missouri, but has lived in more than 4 states and 3 countries. She studied fashion design at Academy of Art University in San Francisco and is currently freelance designing and styling in New York City. She enjoys traveling, making music, dancing & going on adventures!! She likes using her time to incorporate art in every aspect of her life. She has experience program directing and teaching art to children of special needs, and enjoys spreading awareness to that community. She believes art is the force of all that is alive, everyone & everything is art.

Henry Rousakis is an artist and architectural designer born and raised in Brooklyn. He has worked with young artists across New York City, helping to teach art and design classes for kids and teens at both the Brooklyn Museum and the Center for Architecture. In the classroom, Henry focuses on creating a supportive space where students feel safe exploring new ideas and expressing themselves creatively. Beyond teaching, Henry’s own practice spans a wide range of mediums. His work includes pen and ink drawings, architectural models, furniture design, photography, and more. At the core of everything he does is a love for design in all its forms and a belief in its power to inspire curiosity and self-expression.

Victoria is an artist based in NJ and NY. She is currently receiving a BFA in Fine Art and Art History, while working on her own freelance projects. Victoria has over 7 years experience working in childcare and fostering meaningful and educational relationships with kids and families. Her background in care giving and art inspires her to develop a career in art education to encourage creativity and imagination throughout a child’s life. Outside of art, Victoria enjoys watching tv, reading, and spending time with her dog!

Sarah (she/her) is a multidisciplinary artist and art facilitator born and raised in Brooklyn. With over 15 years of experience working with children and adolescents, she skillfully creates an age-appropriate arts curriculum that prioritizes the joy of creative expression. Sarah graduated with a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies with a minor in Critical Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies. She will be pursuing a master’s degree in Art Therapy starting Fall 2026. Having previously worked as the Studio Manager at Private Picassos in 2018-19, Sarah is excited to return to the community. When she is not making art with kids, you can find Sarah painting and collaging with friends, taking a yoga class, going for a walk in the park, sipping tea at a cafe, practicing American Sign Language, or reading a book on the couch. 

Julia is a Korean-American multimedia artist currently based in Brooklyn. She recently earned her BFA in illustration with a concentration in Mind, Self, and Behavior from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). Her practice is conceptually powered by community, relationships, and philosophy. She is currently exploring expressive painting in her personal work, which involves intuitively moving the whole body and using both hands to create.

Tyeonna is a teacher's assistant for art classes in our mobile program and a staff member at both of our Brooklyn Art Studios. She studied creative writing and anthropology at SUNY Potsdam, and enjoys all creative forms of expression