Meagan Andersen is born and raised in Colorado and is so proud to call Evergreen her home! When she was younger, she always loved two things: making art and working with children. She began her higher education on a path to teaching and was on her way to becoming an art teacher when she discovered art therapy. After receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting from Metropolitan State University of Denver, she went on to receive her Master of Arts Art Therapy from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College in Indiana. Meagan is an art therapist as her primary career, co-founding the non-profit Mountain HeArt Therapy, operating out of Evergreen and Denver. But she absolutely loves her art classes here at the center!

Having worked with kids for almost three decades, Meagan understands the importance of providing alternative outlets for kids besides athletics and technology and always encourages her students to tap into their imaginations and let their creativity soar! She thoroughly enjoys watching children’s art flourish from an idea to a finished product. Art has the amazing power to release the areas of the mind that have been locked up due to any number of experiences. She truly believes in the inherent healing nature that art provides, and she is thrilled to be able to bring that power to her students outside of a therapeutic setting. Meagan runs many art classes throughout the year for kids and adolescents as well as several summer camps throughout the summer. She resides in Evergreen with her partner, Rodney, and their three incredible children.

Carolyn Evans Campbell has taught poetry, memoir and creative writing in Evergreen and the region for twenty-five years.  Her seven books of poetry, the historical novel Fireweed, A Woman’s Saga in Gold Rush America, and a play with music, have won wide recognition, including The Colorado Book Award, the Willa Literary Awards for historical fiction, and eight first place awards from the Colorado Author’s League.

Since trying pottery at age 11, art has been a fundamental part of my life. This led me to study Communications at the University of Wisconsin-Madison while minoring in Art History, Studio Art, and Education Services. The connection of these courses allowed me to discover the incredible impact of creativity on mental health and well-being.

The realization drove me to become an art teacher with a strong commitment to ensuring that children have access to art education. To support this mission, I founded a nonprofit called “Katy’s Clay.” I use the proceeds from teaching and pottery sales to provide creative outlets to underfunded schools in developing countries. From October 2022 to May 2023, I had the privilege of working with schools in Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, teaching art and supplying materials to students. Witnessing the spark of creativity in the eyes of these young minds and the transformative power of art in their lives has been an incredibly fulfilling experience.

I believe that creativity is a universal language and that all children should have the opportunity to express themselves through art. Through CAE and Katy’s Clay, I’m committed to making this vision a reality for young minds.

Find Katy on Instagram @katysclayco and https://www.facebook.com/katysclay/

Gita has always been drawn to the arts but found her true passion in clay during her high school years. She earned a BFA in Ceramics from Metro State University and has nearly 20 years of studio teaching experience ranging from beginner to intermediate and from children to fellow art instructors. Her time teaching, as well as being a key employee at a local pottery supply, has given her an understanding of a wide range of products, techniques and technical information that informs her personal work and teaching style. Much of her background is in conceptual art but most of her work is functional, wheel thrown with textural and illustrative qualities.

When she’s not in the studio you can find her out on the town dancing to live music or learning about foraging local plants and mushrooms. She loves animals and has a cat named, Moki. Find her on Instagram @Geet_Street.

Daniel Crosier is a graduate of RMCAD 2000, with an BFA in sculpture. He is a mixed media artist, and began a neo-kabuki performance group called OFM: OdAm fEI mUd in 2003. Crosier came on to the comic book scene in 2006 writing and illustrating Sons of Soil, The Exquisite Vanishteer, Distortions Unlimited, Vincent Price Presents, as well as illustrating Bartholomew of the Scissors & Caustic Soda. Crosier partnered with The Enigma and Serana Rose for Show Devils comic book series and collaborating with several Denver-base illustrators. He has directed short films since 2005, releasing his first feature film, Isolation Man, a mockumentary about a superhero who accidentally vanishes the western hemisphere. Crosier is currently producing his Camp Crash, Mad Max/Meatballs serial. Daniel is also one of the co-founders of Dink Denver Independent Comic and Art Expo. Daniel has also added mural artist to his repertoire.

Pem Dunn has lived and painted in Colorado since 1984 and maintains residences in Evergreen and Tabernash. His paintings are a clear reflection of his love of the out-of-doors. Hiking the back-country trails of the Rocky Mountains provides much of his inspiration. Viewing Pem’s work, one sees many familiar vistas of these areas in his oils. Pem is inspired by the constant changes in light and weather. This inspiration is evident in the light and subtle nuances of color that bring a great deal of richness to his work. Pem has studied with some of this country’s finest artists including Joseph Dawley, Natalie Becker, Karen Vance and Scott Christensen. You can find Pem’s work online here.

Leslie Fitzsimmons is a professional artist and educator. She earned a Bachelor of Visual Art Education from the School of Arts at the University of Kansas. For the past 10 years, she has been cultivating creative experiences by connecting people to art, artists and art museums through educational programming and events. Leslie has been a full-time practicing artist for the past 5 years. She is a former resident artist at Onwards Gallery and Studios in Newcastle, Australia. Leslie has exhibited in America and Australia, in annual solo shows and multiple group shows per year. In 2022 she held an Artist-In-Residency in Denver’s Art District on Santa Fe, and now serves on the board for Art District on Santa Fe. Her home is nestled at the base of the Front Range, and she creates from her studio in Denver. “I thrive when helping people discover their creative potentials – aiding them in their realization that they are creators, helping them make meaning of their world through observing visual art, and guiding them in applying their artistic abilities.” – Leslie

Justin Hashaw grew up on the outskirts of Houston, Texas in Pasadena and creates pottery that is inspired by the uncertain and unpredictable rhythms that can only be found in nature. He received his BFA from the University of Houston Clear Lake.

Justin has a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts with a Ceramics concentration from the University of Houston.  He worked extensively in a studio setting as a ceramic studio technician at The Glassell School of Art in Houston, Texas and enjoys the processes of ceramics from beginning to end.

Peace, love, and art. It’s more than a philosophy – it’s a way to boost creativity and build strong friendships, teams and families!

As the owner and creator of “Crafty Chassis,” a mobile arts and crafts truck established in 2018, Kristin (aka Kiki) inspires people of all ages to find their inner artist. Crafty Chassis specializes in bringing a hands-on DIY art experience to community festivals, private parties and corporate events. She believes that art is therapy. Her passion is to create a thriving sustainable business in the arts that will also support other artists and non-profits in the community both locally and globally.

Kristin is a graduate of The University of Denver with a BFA in Mass Communications. She received her Leadership Arts Certification through the Colorado Business Committee of the Arts in 2016. She currently serves on the Leadership Arts Alumni Networking Committee, and is a board member for the Evergreen Creative District. Crafty Chassis won the 2020 Gold Medal Daisy Award for inspiring children. Her career spans 20 years in TV production including the shows “Emergency Vets” on Animal Planet and “Tiny House, Big Living” on HGTV. Her outgoing personality and opportunities to work with many cultures around the world in her personal and business travels have taught her to adapt and bring together many social groups and communities for a positive and mindful experience.

Inspired by function, my pottery begs to be used. All my pots are made with high fire stoneware and made to be enjoyed in everyday life. My work is only complete when someone has filled a mug with tea or used a bowl for soup. While making practical vessels, I embrace a variety of options in surface decoration. From juicy glaze combinations that drip over one another, to sgraffito, Mishima, or the use of sprigs…there is no end to the exploration of adding aesthetics to a functional pot. While focusing on its future use, I love the process of creating unique designs. My inspiration can come from symbols, Zen tangles, sacred geometry, Asian influences, or my interest in texture.

Pottery found me as a stat at home mom, needing an outlet 18 years ago. Once the clay spoke to me, I could not leave it. Throwing pots on the wheel felt a bit like coming home. It has become part of my family, as I have a home studio which my kids have full access to create whatever they wish. I find great joy in sharing clay and pottery making; whether it is someone who wants to buy my work, or wants to learn to make a mug themselves, or a toddler squishing a ball of clay between their little fingers, or another pottery who can talk glaze and form until the sun rises!

Working with clay is a very grounding. I feel that a spiritual connection transfers to the pts I make. There is a certain intimacy created when someone reaches for their favorite coffee mug every morning. Creating pottery that can be a part of someone’s daily ritual, or a family gathering is something I hold great reverence for.

Julian Kramer is an art teacher originally from Montclair, New Jersey. He attended Pratt Institute in Brooklyn where he graduated with a BFA in Art and Design Education. In New York City, he also gained experience teaching in multiple public schools, as well as a homeless shelter and also Saturday Art School at Pratt. Upon his graduation, he moved to Denver where he worked as a site director for the YMCA of Metropolitan Denver, directing before and after school programs as well as day camps. Julian has worked at Denver Art Garage, teaching summer camp classes. Julian recently graduated with a MA in Art Education from University of Nebraska Kearney. He currently lives in Conifer and is an art teacher in Golden with Jeffco Public Schools.

Kate Lincoln is a nature-loving outdoor enthusiast, originally from Cape Coral, FL. She earned a degree in Recreation Management from Metropolitan State University Denver. As a mom of two, she is passionate about teaching local youth and has coached various levels of volleyball and rock climbing teams. Camping, hiking and climbing are some of her favorite hobbies to do with friends and family. Kate enjoys exploring many different art mediums such as painting, candle making, jewelry and loves to create nature-inspired art with found and up cycled elements.

Jessica Mahan is a professional acrylic and oil painter and an art teacher with a degree in Art Education and Secondary Education. She previously taught art in the public school system for 7 years, has been a professional artist for 8 years and loves sharing her love of art with others through classes, workshops, retreats and paint at home kits. She is in awe of the natural world. Nature has the ability to wake up her mind to the present moment, sparking ideas and insight. The resulting paintings are vivid, emotional, playful and dreamlike. Her art practice helps her slow down and notice the world around her by examining shapes, colors, movement rhythms and light. She often uses symbolism and thinks of her work as visual poetry. Outside of art, she loves travel, yoga, nature, music and hanging out with her dog.

Carol graduated from Art Center College of Design with a degree in Illustration. Her career has included illustrating over 150 books for every major publisher, both in the US as well as the UK, Greece, Korea and others. In recent years she has become an award winning artist with her gallery art and plein air painting, as well as classes and workshops.

SIGNATURES: CWS, NWS, WFWS

AWARDS: Moms Choice Book Award for best young adult novel cover Garden State Children’s Book Cover Award Colorado, Honorable Mention at Evergreen Plein Air Show, Cover award by Mountain Connection, Second place in the Members show at the Evergreen Center for the Arts, Best of Show in Colorado Watercolor Society Show 2015, 2015 Best of Show at the Water media Show at the Evergreen Center for the Arts , 2016 Award of Merit at The Fall Open Colorado Art Show., Second Place at the Colorado Open Show,Main Street Fine Art Gallery,Best of Show, Colorado Watercolor Society Members Show 2019, Honorable Mention, Colorado Watercolor Society Splash Show, 2020

For as long as I can remember, art has driven me. I am continually amazed and inspired by the talent that abounds in this world. My love of beauty, nature, travel, and history is fueled by my passion for acquiring knowledge and making art. I appreciate changes in light, color, shadows, and contrasts; these are the elements that inspire my creativity. Born in Denver and raised in Summit county, my love of nature continues to influence the art I make. While I am mostly self-taught I have had the great fortune to paint with some amazing artists over the years, learning something valuable and different from each, including using different mediums. Mostly privately commissioned, I have worked throughout the US, Canada, and Switzerland. My work has been included in shows in and around Denver and Evergreen. My passions are wide and varied, from food to skiing, hiking, exploring, and traveling. My creative journey continues to evolve and expand organically.

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