Philly Art Center

Isabel holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Art Education from Kutztown University, and currently attends Tyler School of Art to pursue her Masters degree in Art Education. She has worked in a variety of mediums but has a special love for oil painting and ceramics. Isabel loves seeing the happiness and excitement that art brings to children and encouraging their natural creativity. She enjoys the outdoors, gardening and camping, as well as quiet mornings practicing yoga, reading and drinking coffee. She currently lives in West Philly with her cat Diamond.

Lori earned a B.S. in Health Behavior Science at the University of Delaware & researched Autism at Duke prior to moving to Philadelphia to pursue her Masters of Occupational Therapy at Temple University. She is inspired to create a space where art intersects with accessibility for all. At home, Lori loves making vegan recipes, styling fresh flowers & going to trivia with friends!

Sasha has obtained a degree in photography and art history from Bennington College in 2021. After relocating to Philadelphia from New York she has finally found a position that is relent on their passion for visual arts as well as childcare work! They have a wide range of experience such as tutoring elementary age kids as well as assistant teaching for preschool and day care as well as camp counseling, but pursuing art with children has always been her dream. She is eager to bring this passion to the Philly Art Center!

Amber is originally from Neptune City, New Jersey. She earned her BFA in Fine Art from the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design at the George Washington University in 2017. She recently graduated with her MFA in Sculpture in 2022 from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. In the studio she loves to draw, paint, and make sculptures out of craft materials such as paper mache. Outside of the studio she can be found exploring ideas and observational drawing in her sketchbook. She believes access to art is important for all people’s mental health no matter their age group or profession, because it is a vital part of expressing emotions. Besides art, Amber loves going for big walks, reading, and baking treats. She is excited to explore Philly and call it home!

Wendy is from Berlin, New Jersey.  She has a Bachelor's of Science degree in Technology Education from Rowan University and has spent many years teaching middle school STEM.  She appreciates how the creative problem solving components of STEM can also be applied to the process of seeing an artistic vision come to fruition.  Outside of the classroom, Wendy enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, the beach and walking her dog.

Taaj is a South Jersey based artist who specializes in oil and digital painting. She completed 3 years at West Chester University for a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts. Before working at Philly Art Center, Taaj was a full-time self-employed artist. She most enjoys the therapeutic and subjective nature of art. Taaj thinks it’s very important that children have a safe and fun outlet to fully express their creativity. Aside from teaching, Taaj loves to paint and create prints, home decor, clothing, etc. Art and creating is her life.

Piper was raised in Wilmington, Delaware and graduated from Temple University with a degree in Advertising Art Direction. She believes in the importance of expression for kids and their development and understanding of self. Piper loves the organizational and management side of administration, and is thrilled to spend quality time with budding artists at the Art Center! Outside of work, Piper loves collage, watching TV, and spending time for self care.

Cameron is from Cherry Hill, New Jersey and graduated from the College of Charleston with a BA in Historic Preservation/Community Planning and a BS in Urban Studies. He loves being able to provide children in the greater Philly area with engaging art classes because he feels that art should be heavily integrated into urban spaces. He loves drawing, specifically architectural drawing, and print making. When he’s not at Art Center he can be found exploring Philly with his friends.

Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, Marina has lived in Philadelphia for the past few years and loves it! She studied abroad in Rome for a semester and earned her BFA in Fibers & Material Studies from Temple University's Tyler School of Art. Marina loves teaching kids to get creative and grow their skills in the studio! Aside from teaching, she loves biking and embroidery.

Marcie is from Baltimore, MD, and lived in NYC for 9 years before coming to Philadelphia in December 2018. She received her M.S. in Interior Design from Pratt Institute and a B.A. in Studio Art from The University of Maryland, College Park, with a concentration in drawing and woodblock printing. She loves exploring art techniques and thinks it's more important to enjoy the process than the final product. "Happy accidents" often produce her favorite pieces. In addition to making art, Marcie loves exploring the city, traveling abroad, reading, and bad puns.

Kymble is a Philly-raised artist with a disciple in printmaking. They received a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art from Lafayette College. Kym thoroughly enjoys the collaborative and mindful nature embedded within the printmaking (and artmaking) process. They believe such qualities found within this process make art an apt sphere for virtuous education.

Shane was born and raised in Glenside, PA. He holds a BFA in Studio Art from Marywood University and an MFA in Painting from Boston University. He currently lives and works in Philadelphia, and draws inspiration for his paintings from the vast array of people he sees every day. When he isn’t in the studio, he can be found playing the piano, listening to some vinyl, or traveling somewhere new.

Emma is from Reading, PA, and earned her BFA in Painting with a minor in Art Entrepreneurship & Curatorial Studies from Arcadia University. She is thrilled to have the chance to provide art opportunities for kids and adults around Philly – by keeping everything organized behind the scenes! In her art practice, she enjoys finding beauty in discarded materials and incorporating them into her artwork, with a passion for mixed media, & collage. Additionally, she aspires to educate others on the importance of accessibility and representation within the art community. When she is not at the art center, she enjoys visiting museums, organizing community art events, painting, and cooking. 

Caitlin graduated from Maryland Institute College of Art with her Masters of Art in Teaching. Prior to this, she studied at Penn State University where she received her Bachelor’s in Studio Art (specializing in drawing and painting). Her artistic passion is graphite portraiture but finds endless excitement in the mixed media exploration that so often takes place in the art classroom. She has taught children from ages two to eighteen, finding their artistic understanding/know-how to be completely inspiring, but most loves the uninhibited energy and creativity of the youngest artists!

Destin’ee is a mixed media oil painter born and raised in Philadelphia. She loves teaching kids to not be afraid to try something’s new and enjoy the process of creating. She is currently in school for business administration at Southern New Hampshire University and attends the Milan Art Institute for Mixed media arts. When not creating art, Destin’ee loves baking, dancing, singing & spend time with her friends.

Tim is an interdisciplinary artist who received their BFA from Massachusetts College of Art and Design. Their primary focus is in drawing, although they are often working in video, sound, and painting as well. Above all else, they are interested in what is unearthed during the artistic practice. When Tim isn't working on some creative project, you can find them riding around on their bike or reading a book in the park.

Mary Hall Keyes is an oil painter and collage artist living in Philadelphia. Before working at the Philly Art Center, Mary Hall graduated from Alfred University where she earned her BFA and minored in Visual Arts Education. She has pursued her passion for working with children in a creative setting by student teaching for grades K-12th as well as being a counselor and administrative staff member at Chimney Corners Camp. She believes building confidence in kids is an essential part of being an educator and enjoys celebrating their self-expression in the studio.

Laura is a woodworker and seamstress with a bachelor?s degree in Crafts from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. She teaches woodworking and engineering courses at the high school level, having earned an MAT in Technology Education from The College of New Jersey. Prior to teaching, Laura built custom cabinets and furniture. Laura loves working with kids of all ages in their exploration of different materials and techniques.

Erica graduated from Tufts University in 2021, with a BA in Anthropology and Architectural Studies and a minor in Studio Art! She moved to South Philly after spending the summer teaching college students to backpack the Appalachian Trail. Erica loves hiking, dancing, and biking for some of the same reasons she loves painting, printmaking, and other crafts: the physical, in-your-body process is cathartic, celebratory, and alive. She loves working with kids and is grateful for the opportunity to learn with them!

Sophia grew up in Everett, WA and attended Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA, where she graduated with her Bachelor's in Art and Psychology in 2020. She moved to Philadelphia and worked as a case manager for a year while drawing and painting on the side! Sophia has worked as a camp counselor and assistant teacher in creative environments and is so excited to be in a kid-focused & artistic space at Philly Art Center. When not creating art, Sophia loves to read, dance, and go on long walks in pursuit of the best coffee in Philadelphia.

Antea Roberts has been working with clay since she was a kid. Hailing from South Philly, she took classes at Starr Garden, The Clay Studio and Fleisher Art Memorial. Antea spent 7 summers at Appel Farm Arts Camp in Southern NJ experiencing all kinds of art, and returned as an adult for an additional 7 summers to lead the ceramics department. After graduating in 2008 with a BFA in Fine Art/Ceramics from Corcoran College of Art in Washington DC, Antea developed ‘The Ceramery’- her brand of one of a kind ceramics; sold online and at area craft shows. A life long love of clay has brought Antea to Philly Art Center, where she’s excited to teach and grow alongside everyone!

Johanna is a designer, a teacher, a traveler and a student. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design from The Pennsylvania State University and an Elementary Education Teaching Certificate from Widener University. As a Graphic Designer she combines her outgoing nature and creative style to push the limits of color and typography. Johanna played with clay since she was shorter than a pottery wheel, but now her ceramic work conveys a sense of freedom; in every piece there is a bit of her mood, energy and her fingerprints. She also loves biking, yoga, going to the movies and spending time with her family. More importantly, she¹ll never miss an opportunity to pop into a photo booth.

Bridget is an educator and lens-based artist who creates interdisciplinary works centering around the concept of alternative domestic spaces. With her background in architecture, Rogers’s current work combines miniature rooms and digital manipulation to create large scale prints that skew the viewer’s perspective of space and reality. Rogers earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography from Syracuse University, and then her Masters of Fine Arts in Photography from Tyler School of Art + Architecture at Temple University in 2020. Originally from a small beach town in New Jersey, when she is not creating new art or teaching, Rogers can be found enjoying the outdoors on hikes and walks on the beach.

Cecilia is a interdisciplinary artist whose work is constantly informed and inspired by personal relationships and the natural world as well as the ideas of trauma healing, meditation, and childlike wonder. She is currently working towards her MEd in Art Education at Temple University's Tyler School of Art and Architecture. She has a BFA in Ceramics from the University of Dallas, has taught elementary and middle school art, and was a Harvard Ceramics teaching assistant. In addition to functional and sculptural ceramics, Cecilia loves to sew, embroider, paint, and collage.

Joni was born and raised in Northampton, MA, but has spent time in Pittsburgh, Chicago, Boston, and now Philadelphia. She earned her Bachelor of Humanities and Arts in Psychology and Art from Carnegie Mellon University, and May 2021 she graduated from Boston University with an MFA in Painting. She has a studio in North Philly, and when she's not painting there, she's with her rescue pup Tala or she's finding a new Italian restaurant to try with her fiance. Joni loves teaching and sharing the joy of painting, and believes the magic is in the process.