Sandy has taught dance and dance fitness to both adults and children.  She grew up dancing on competitive dance teams.  Her specialty is Bollywood Folk dance.  She also enjoys baking and cooking.  She likes sharing traditional South Indian recipes that she grew up eating and teaching people how to use Indian Spices and make their own spice blends.  She holds a BBA from Baylor University in Journalism and Marketing and an MBA in Marketing from Southern Methodist University.

Merri Ann Osborne (she/her) received her first passport at 4 years old, when she lived with her family in West Africa and then travelled to Europe before heading home to the US. She's been travelling ever since. Merri Ann has worked in the travel industry at an international hotel chain, as a destination sales manager for international clients for a convention and visitors bureau and as a tour manager for an international tour company. As a multi-disciplinary artist, she loves exploring the intersection of art, culture and travel. Especially how we can connect with each other cross-culturally through music, dance, and performance. Merri Ann holds a BA in Political Science from UCLA and an MA in Conflict Resolution from the Dept. of Peace Studies, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK.

Nani holds a BA in humanities for teaching from Seattle University. She has helped facilitate intergenerational workshops with SilverKite since 2018. She has particular interest in exploring sustainable art created by repurposing recycled materials in hopes of fostering creative expression and collaboration that is accessible to all. In her spare time can be found painting with Bob Ross and cooking meals for friends and family.

Susan Wickett-Ford is a lifelong dancer and dance teacher.  She began her career focused on choreography and performance and founded a modern dance company.  In the 90’s her focus shifted to dance education for every student.  She was trained by Anne Green Gilbert, and developed a specialty in folk dance. Susan taught for 17 years at The Northwest School.  

Marva began her yoga journey in 1999, in Seattle. She has been teaching for 18 years at several studios in Seattle, and also in different parts of the World. Marva teaches a strength-building , healing class, with emphasis on correct form and alignment. You will enjoy the dynamic sequences that challenge the mind and body and take you on a journey to self awareness and acknowledgment without judgment. Students enjoy her energetic and nurturing instructions, and are especially inspired by the demonstration of her own immensely powerful and graceful practice.

Cooper is a graduate student at Antioch University Seattle, getting their Master’s in Mental
Health Counseling and Art Therapy. Cooper believes in the value of a ‘process over product’
mindset. She encourages those around her to lean into their own unique processes with curiosity
and kindness, while recognizing the internal and external challenges present in any given
artmaking project. Cooper’s favorite mediums are painting, collage, and multimedia sculpture.
Her favorite style of artmaking is surrealism. In addition to being a visual artist, one of Cooper’s
undergraduate degrees is in Creative Writing and poetry remains very important to them. Cooper
explores creativity, symbols, and metaphors in her artmaking and loves to share these (often)
existential experiences with other life learners.

My whole life has been dedicated to art.  Growing up, my parents and I spent much of our free time creating; whether it was my dad teaching me to draw, cut glass, or woodwork; or my mom teaching me to sew, paint or craft.  Through the years, I’ve developed my own love of art through many mediums, such as painting, mosaics, glasswork, crafting, etc.  While it all helps me to get in touch with my past, center myself, relieve stress and relax, I find my fulfillment in life through using my art degree to help others and therapeutically educate many adults and children while creating.  I’ve owned an instructional art studio and have volunteered my time to teach thousand of all ages through the years. 

Jenn has been teaching creatively for over 10 years. She enjoys exploring the interdisciplinary links between the visual arts and human experience. She has an MFA in Animation & Digital Arts from the University of Southern California and works in visual communications as a graphic designer helping to make information more accessible for all. Jenn believes deeply in art’s ability to contribute to happier, healthier, and kinder communities. She loves teaching visual art as a way of connecting with others through hands-on exploration using traditional media. From her perspective, “In art there are no mistakes, only discoveries.”  

Pearl Klein started writing poetry at nine years old and she's never stopped playing with words. For her, words, language and formal containers are the sensual starting point for poetry; image and narrative thread almost always follow sound and shape. Pearl holds a hard-earned MFA in Poetry Writing from the University of Washington.

Meredith has a passion for creative collaborations of all sorts.  She is an actor, director and writer with experience in dance, choreography and muti-media arts.  She believes that every interaction, be it with a student, co-worker, or fellow birdwatcher on a walk, can be a joyful experience and an artistic inspiration.  Meredith has performed on stages from Washington State to Washington DC. Her written expression includes plays, poems, and a book for young readers.  Each day of teaching (40 years and counting) brings laughter, light, and surprise.  A daily practice Meredith enjoys is taking the time to appreciate, photograph, sketch and write about the trees in her neighborhood.

As a teaching artist, Amy integrates storytelling, movement, and mindfulness. She offers interdisciplinary workshops for all ages and focuses on resourcing and uplifting under-heard voices. For the past several years, Amy has been studying healing-centered education with the Acosta Institute and is working to create an educational framework at the intersection of art, restorative practices, and social transformation. She is currently a faculty member at Highline College in Des Moines, Washington where she facilitates courses in theater, yoga, health and wellness. Amy holds a BA in Theater Arts from UC Santa Cruz and an MAEd from Antioch University Seattle.

I started working at a nursing facility as a volunteer in the 1990’s, and found myself so connected to the residents that I went on to earn an MA in Therapeutic Recreation from New York University in 1999. Creative expression offers us many opportunities to communicate with ourselves, with our peers, and with the world around us. Whether working with groups or individuals, I turn to the same modes of expression that have long sustained me in my personal life — music, visual art, and writing — in my work with older adults. My goal is for them to experience the joy, freedom and satisfaction that come with creative engagement, at whatever level best suits their interests, and their physical and cognitive abilities. 

Gloria Gonzáles García has over 25 years of experience teaching visual art in public schools from the gifted, to the alternative, and to special education; and out-of-school
for community arts and cultural organizations from the underserved to incarcerated youth. García is also Adjunct Faculty at Heritage University, Fine Arts Department. García’s has worked with individuals to teaching hundreds at community events. García has mentored educators in art integration. García specializes in instruction that represents the artworks of Black Indigenous and Persons of Color artists and artforms
that are culturally relevant to her students’ heritage. García earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from The Evergreen State College. Since
2001, García has been on the Washington State Arts Commission, Arts In Education, Roster of Teaching Artists. García has had several prints juried in national exhibitions and selected for public art collections, and received an Artist Trust Grant for Artists’ Projects Award.

Julian loves working with writers young and young at heart, and believes that beginning writers learn best by simply diving in, playing with language, and gaining inspiration from each other. She's worked as a classroom teacher, restaurant worker, social work case manager and more, and enjoys helping people bring their own insights and experiences to life for readers--whether family, friends, or beyond. She holds an MFA in Fiction Writing from the University of Washington, as well as an MSW and MAT. When not writing personal essays, humorous vignettes or poems, she is out on local trails hiking.

Jill Meyers MA, CCLS is a certified Child Life Specialist having joined Providence Hospice of Snohomish
County in 2020 after a decade of providing support to Children and Teen’s with Providence Hospice of
Seattle’s Grief Support Program: Safe Crossings. Prior to working at Safe Crossings, Jill worked as a Child
Life Specialist at UCSF Children’s Hospital in San Francisco, CA. During her time at UCSF, Jill supported
pediatric oncology patients and their families throughout their hospitalizations and end-of-life
experiences. She was also in charge of developing and implementing Creative Arts Programming for all
Pediatrics at UCSF Children’s Hospital.
Before working at UCSF Children’s Hospital, Jill taught theatre and creative expression to Middle School
and Upper School International Students at The Northwest School in Seattle, WA. Her classes focused on
self-esteem building, communication skills and ensemble development culminating in original performance pieces developed and performed by the students. Jill gained her Child Life Certification in 2005, holds a Master’s degree in Psychology/Drama Therapy
focus from Antioch University, Seattle WA. Jill has developed numerous creative expressive programs
throughout the United States as well as internationally. Her passion is using theatre and the creative arts as a form of healing, community education and bridging communities.

Bertha Marselis is a Creative Expressions of Health and Wellness Facilitator who specializes in classes that reduce stress and promotes mindfulness. She creates art classes
that participants can use as a tool for self-expression, self-care, relaxation, and healing. She has facilitated workshops to aid those in their grief journey at EvergreenHealth Hospice Center, has taught classes at UW Women’s Center and other various venues. She does classes focusing on the Mandala using collage and Creative Mask Making for self-expression.

Led by curiosity and flexibility, Hogan's approach to projects is imbued with joy, organization, and a passion for communication.  She moves between mediums and is driven by an excitement for beautification, puzzling problems, the transformation of space, and what can be made by hand.  Her favorite materials include clay, paint, string, paper, paper mâché, and mixed media with found objects. Her past work includes environment/climate activism, commercial fishing, scribing names on boats, teaching creative writing and drama, and tending sick plants. She has a BA from Boston College and is Certified in Secondary Education through the MAT Program, University of Alaska, Southeast. Her other interests include gathering people together, inventing activities, spreading respect for the natural environment as well as one another, being on or near the water, being in her family’s hair, and eating mint chip ice cream while watching movies.

Dez’Mon Omega Fair is a teaching artist and a writer living in the Seattle Washington Area. Their visual and video poetry work, as well as immersive installation and performance work has been shown all over The U.S. and abroad: as far away as The Williamsburg Brooklyn Public Library in New York City and La Galleria in A Coruña, España to as near as, Langston Seattle, in the annual Seattle Black Film Festival, and Wa Na Wari. He-they are a member of The Film and Video Poetry Society, leading expressive art workshops at its bi annual symposium; sat on the board of Carnegie Picture Lab, a nonprofit providing art based programming for Walla Walla county, where he-they facilitated Art Scholars at Davis Elementary, a social emotional learning course using art to navigate one's inner life.

Blue Jay Feathers,

Dez'Mon

​

See more here.

Valencia is an enthusiastic teaching artist specializing in classical oil painting techniques. With a passion for sharing visual art, she has participated in numerous exhibitions, presentations, and teaching engagements at museums, community centers, schools, and public spaces in western Washington. Valencia's dedication to accessibility is seen in her diverse range of artistic materials and approaches, creating an inclusive experience for all.

In her painting practice, Valencia embraces exploration, pushing boundaries with lighting, color
harmony, and composition. Her current work delves into American history, using realism to bring historical narratives to life. Through her artistry, Valencia invites viewers to reimagine the past, offering a visually immersive experience that bridges art and history.