Janie Cunningham's fine arts education began at Ardmore
Elementary School in Bellevue, a 1970's open concept school where the curriculum focused equally on the arts and the Three R's. Janie
pursued the performing arts playing the flute, acting, singing,
dancing, and directing her way throughhigh school and on into college. After practicing massage since 2002, Janie graduated from UW Tacoma in 2006 with a bachelor's degree in Self & Society and a minor in Education with the intention of teaching middle school health. During her time at UWT Janie discovered socially conscious art in Beverly Naidus' courses: Cultural Identity and Art; and Body Image and Art. Having fallen in love with figure drawing, value study, culture jamming, and sight-specific installations, Janie discovered the Art for Kids School and feels like a kid again. Everyone has an artist inside of them and kids allow their artists out to play! They are the true teachers of our lives..

Kristen McCurdy graduated from Northwest College of Art in 2003 with a BFA majoring in Fine Art and Multimedia Design.  She has 2 years experience teaching art to elementary and high school age students, as well as an internship at the Museum of Glass in the Education studio.She has done various murals in private homes, schools and churches, and does commissioned artwork.  As well as teaching for Art for Kids, she teaches painting classes to all ages at Michaels in Lacey.  Her favorite art subjects include fantasy, landscapes, seascapes and animals.  Her favorite media includes oil paint, graphite, photography, and video.  A Washington resident her whole life, she grew up in Leavenworth and currently lives in Olympia.

Jesse teaches in AFKS Seattle Eastside

Jesse Peil was born on November 14, 1979 and has been an artist for most of his life.  He graduated from The Evergreen State College in 2002 with a B.A. in studio art including painting and sculpture.  This is his fourth year working with Art for Kids School .  He has painted large murals at local schools and businesses and sold his paintings locally.  He has also been commissioned to make cast bronze sculptures.  He currently lives in Seattle and paints large, figurative paintings

Lauren teaches in AFKS Seattle Eastside

Lauen Stevens completed a BA of Visual Arts at The University of Ballarat in Australia and went on to earn a teaching diploma at The University of Melbourne.  Using the skills learned through her education and in conjunction with her lifelong exploration of the arts, she went on to teach the arts to students ranging in age from 7-12th grade.

Lauren has also initiated a range of workshops for younger, elementary level students. Methods explored through these programs include painting, drawing and sculpture as well as public art murals completed at several elementary schools in Victoria, Australia.

Lauren has been an artist for as long as she can remember, focusing largely on figure drawing and portraiture.  She has participated in a range of group and individual exhibitions around Melbourne and has had three art works exhibited at the National Gallery of Victoria, Australia.

To read more about Lauren Stevens please visit:
www.laurenstevens-osoro.com

Annah Linder is from the north Tacoma area, by way of Gig Harbor, WA. She graduated from Pacific Lutheran University in May of 2007, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts, with a concentration in graphic design. Being raised by an artist, she developed a passion and appreciation for art an early age. She enjoys working with a variety of mediums, including sculpture, ceramics, printing making and graphic design, as she is presently a graphic designer for an international corporation. In her free time, she enjoys outdoor activities and sports, travel and time at home with her husband and lazy dog.

Annah received the opportunity to work with the Experience Music Project Museum, completing design campaign as one of her graduating assignments. As participating 2007 gallery exhibition artist, she was awarded first place for Best Graphic Designer, as well as, second place for Best 2 Dimensional for her piece entitled “Visual Observations” by the PLU School of Arts and Communications.

Above all, she has always enjoyed working with children. Annah has worked with children of all ages for many years at a primary and elementary school.

“I am inspired by, and never cease to be amazed by their creativity, brilliance and aspiration to continuously learn.”

Mandy Fiechtner earned her Bachelor of Architecture and Bachelor of Fine Art from Drury University. She served as a counselor at children’s summer camps for many years. She continues to be involved with children and teaching through her church and various missions. Mandy grew up in the Midwest and always had an interesting in making and creating things. She currently practices architecture at a small firm in the university district where she designs churches and custom residential homes. She enjoys working on her art in her spare time, concentrating mostly in mixed media and watercolors. She loves creating pieces for friends and family that reflect who they are and what they love. She loves spending time with her husband and friends, as well as participating in her church. She also enjoys traveling the world and helping children in need. She loves art and children and believes that teaching is the way to build a strong future.