As the director and owner of The Art Nook, I'm pleased to provide quality art experiences for you and your kiddos. I’ve been creating since before I was born (ha ha) and I love getting to share my favorite pastime with others! I took every art class I could in school, eventually majoring in Visual Arts and graduating from Brigham Young University with my BA in 2012. I started teaching art shortly after graduating and have never wanted to stop! Teaching art to children has become my "niche" and I'm proud to share whatever knowledge I've gained over the years with all your talented kiddos!
People mean something to me. The experience of growing and learning together is just as important to me as that of creating a masterpiece. I seek to build relationships with and among my students as we learn and create together. I also am a lover of life, and the beauty of nature, moments, sunlight... I try to capture that wonder and meaning in my own art. I appreciate the impact that nuances in color, composition, subject matter, etc can have on a viewer. I love sharing this passion with others, especially youth, who aren't burdened by the fear of whether or not it is good enough. They are simply glad to create and to pour themselves out onto a canvas. I feel that my own childhood is still very much a part of me and that I can connect with youth as we navigate our artistic journeys together.
In 2016 I married my handsome and patient husband who helps me stay grounded and organized. Thanks to his work, I can spend my time doing what I love! I couldn’t do it without his support.
How it all began
For many years, I struggled to find my passion. I served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and learned how much I love to work with people. After my mission, I finished my Bachelor's degree in Visual Art at BYU. While studying there, I discovered a love of teaching as a Portuguese instructor at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, UT. Upon finishing my degree I returned to my home in Washington.
I soon discovered an art school there, and offered to volunteer as an assistant. Within a week they hired me as the front desk attendant, and within months gave me my first class to teach. I was so nervous to teach children! Up until then I had only taught high school graduates and adults. I quickly found that kids aren't so scary after all, and was soon teaching full-time summer camps! I've done a lot of wonderful things throughout my life, but one of the most enjoyable of them all was spending hours a day doing art with kids. It was literally a dream come true! However, at the end of every summer, the schedule died down and I returned to my usual position as the front desk attendant, teaching a few classes on the side. I missed working with kids full time, and desired to find more meaningful ways to impact their lives, so I resigned my position at the front desk and worked as an elementary school para-educator for two years. While I loved the children I worked with there, especially my little friends with special needs, I began to miss my time doing art with youth. Thankfully, I was invited for four consecutive years to teach full-time summer camps at Museo, and every time I was reminded that art and kids truly are my passion.
A change of scenery
In 2017, my husband and I were surprised by an offer to move to Utah for a job. I was sad to say goodbye to all the friends I had made and the wonderful work environment at Museo. I wondered if perhaps I could teach art again someday. Then, only five months after settling in to our new home in Utah, my husband felt inspired to help me organize all the art supplies I had hidden in boxes over the years. Once everything was finished, inspiration struck! I realized I didn't need another art studio to teach art classes. I had everything I needed in my own little art nook at home. I quickly went to work and The Art Nook was created!
I am now ready and excited to begin this journey of entrepreneurship--to be my own boss, write my own schedule, and teach my own students. The Art Nook has become my creative window to the world-- a way to bring art and people together. I learned how much I love people and how much I love art and teaching many years ago. Finally my passions have combined to bring you this space for creativity, exploration of art, and unique avenues to visually express ourselves and to navigate our artistic journeys together!