Our instructors

Alex Trajkovski

Alex Trajkovski is an artist and designer who works with graphite and oil paint in the Classical European tradition. In his work and teaching, he focuses on casts and portraiture using academic realism, emphasizing values and form. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design with a minor in Art History from Eastern Michigan University. He is the Manager of Graphic Design & Production for the Detroit Pistons. Alex is also the founder of Grand Circus Magazine, a Detroit-based arts and culture publication.

Alyssa Wilcome

Alyssa is a multidisciplinary artist & recent graduate of the University of Michigan where her practice took form in fibers, printmaking, and sculpture. Her greatest passion lies in functional ceramics, whether that be wheel thrown works or large-scale clay furniture. Her body of work centers around sustainability, marking memory, and ritual in order to address how people and objects interact with one another in a mutualistic relationship.

In the summer of 2024 Alyssa was the lead clay camp instructor working with children ages 9-12. She is currently teaching adult pottery courses at the Art Center.

Amanda May Moore

Amanda May is a local artist, born and raised in Ypsilanti. She finds great value in living in such a vibrant community of many artists.

She graduated from Ypsilanti High School in 2006, studied Spanish Literature and Language at Michigan State, and furthered her education later at Eastern Michigan University for a teacher’s certificate in Spanish and TESOL/ESL.

It was not until the fall of 2019 that she was re-introduced to the art of printmaking when attending letterpress lab sessions at the downtown Ann Arbor District Library. It became a refuge for her through the stress of beginning her teaching career and later through the pandemic. After three arduous years of teaching in the midst of a pandemic and suffering the recent loss of her father to the fight against cancer, she has decided it best to take a break from teaching. With a new journey ahead of her, she plans to continue to create and offer art workshops in her community.

Amelia Golembiewski

Amelia has been an active member and supporter of various arts organizations and communities for decades and is a passionate advocate for accessible and equitable arts programming. Currently, she serves as Education Programs Administrator and as an instructor at the A2AC. Outside of the Art Center, Amelia stays engaged in community art by volunteering as a set painter and crew member for her neighborhood theater group, along with her two children, and as the Art on the Pond Chair for their local elementary’s PTO. She has previously taught classical ballet to students of all ages and abilities at the former Russian Ballet Theater School in Ypsilanti. Amelia received her Bachelor of Arts from Eastern Michigan University where she studied studio art and arts and entertainment management and, as a multidisciplinary artist, has shown her work in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti.

Amelia Hissong

Amelia studied Art Education at Kendall College of Art and Design and received her BA with a concentration in Painting from Eastern Michigan University. Amelia first discovered her passion for teaching art within the fun and inspiring learning environment of A2AC Art Camps in 2016. She taught art to Elementary through Middle School students primarily in Ypsilanti from 2017 until 2024 when she joined the A2AC as Educational Programs Manager and Art Camps Director.

Andrea Lozano

Born in Mexico City to a Michigan-born mother and Mexican father, Andrea calls herself a “Michimeca.” At age 13, she audited art classes at the University of Guadalajara’s Escuela de Artes Plásticas. After earning her BFA from Olivet College and studying graphic design at WMU, she freelanced for The Detroit Institute of Arts, Cranbrook Schools, and The Detroit Chamber Music Orchestra. She has illustrated four books. As an owner of the Art of Living Studio/gallery, she co-founded the Michigan Chapter of the American Society of Portrait Artists (ASOPA). In 2002, she was named “Michigan Hispanic Artist of the Year” by the MI Hispanic Caucus in Lansing. After teaching High School Art and Spanish in Santa Fe, NM, she spent one year in Mexico creating art and getting reacquainted with the culture she loves. Back in Michigan, she continues to share her experiences through teaching a variety of classes and workshops at the A2AC. Andrea is a K-12 Gallery Educator at the UMMA.

Blythe Miles

Blythe Miles is an artist and educator located in Livonia, Michigan. She received a BFA in sculpture from Abilene Christian University, and is currently pursuing her Masters of Arts in Teaching in Visual Arts Education from Wayne State University. For over a decade Blythe has been working as an art instructor in the nonprofit sphere, teaching a variety of art subjects to students of all ages. Throughout her career she has grown to love art education, and consistently finds inspiration from interacting and collaborating with students. Her goals as a teacher are to help students understand how to find motivation, to support them in developing critical thinking skills, and to instill confidence in them as creators. She has been instructing at the A2AC since 2016, and loves trying out new media and curriculum in her classes.

Charles Couasnon

Charles is a retired educator from Saline area schools, with over 33 years of experience teaching art across the country, working with students ranging from kindergarten through college. He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sculpture and an Art Education certification from Ohio University, returning after extensive travel to earn his Master of Fine Arts in Sculpture.

Charles’ early work focused on large-scale sculptural installations, drawing inspiration from renowned artists such as Robert Irwin and Michael Singer. Throughout his career, he has been captivated by the unique expressions and problem-solving skills exhibited by artists of all ages. He returned to the studio to delve into ceramics, initially joining A2AC to expand his knowledge and earn continuing education credits for recertification. He now enjoys serving as a studio monitor and instructor, guiding both adults and young people in their exploration of clay.

Chloe Robberts

Chloe is an interdisciplinary artist that received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Michigan Stamps School of Art and Design. Along with her education in studio art, she also had a focus in History of Art and Museum Studies which fueled her love for all things ancient. This interest was brought into her practice through a thesis on underrepresented characters of redemptive history. Her body of work is primarily created through abstraction, portraiture, and creative writing.

Chloe first discovered her passion for art education through her time as the A2AC Assistant Camp Director in 2023 and 2024. When she is not teaching classes, Chloe works with the A2AC as the Education Programs Administrator.

Chris Kamykowski

Chris began his art and design journey in his senior year at Sturgis High School in Sturgis, MI. After originally pursuing architecture he found his passion for sculpture and ceramics. In 2014, he graduated with a BFA in 3D Studies from Youngstown State University, focusing on mold making and slip casting.

He has spent several years working in production ceramics settings, and is now the Studio Technician at Albion College and co-owner of Pinfeather Art Studio.

Chris incorporates architectural influences, and the facets of low-resolution digital models into his work. Additionally, Chris plays with the contrast of both color and texture, highlighting his forms with the melt of the glaze.

Daria White Paik

World renowned potter Daria White Paik teaches the next generation of ceramics artists at the Ann Arbor Art Center!

Daria began working as a Studio Assistant at the Ann Arbor Art Center in 1999 and, has instructed a vareity of youth, teen, and adult classes and workshops since 2006.

Daria grew up in Seoul, South Korea, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1983. In 1988 she moved to the US, where she took foundational courses in ceramics at the University of Alabama in the late 1990’s. After completing a two-year internship, Daria was elected to a full membership at the Ann Arbor Potter’s Guild and has taught there occasionally over the last 18 years. She was a student advisor and manager from 2008 – 2016 at Washtenaw Community College. For the past 10 years, she has also taught many workshops at Glacier Hills Senior Living Community in addition to leading various ceramics, ceramic drum-making, or brush-making workshops at Washtenaw Community College, Saline Art Center, Lansing Potters Guild, Jackson Potters Guild, Pewabic Pottery, and the University of Michigan Museum of Art, in addition to giving both a throwing demo and speech at the Ann Arbor Women Speakers Series.

As an instructor at the Art Center, you will find Daria instructing wheel throwing and handbuilding classes for beginner thru advanced students, fancy face mug workshops for families, and much more!

Daria shares that “Clay comes from the earth; art comes from the soul. Clay is like a blank state of mind waiting for me to make it into whatever I feel at the moment. When I touch clay, I forget time. My passion for art stems from this basic premise: something from nothing, and the hope that the only pre-requisite for art is a spark of creativity.”

Deanne Neiburger

Deanne Neiburger is an artist living and working in Ann Arbor.  She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Michigan, with a major in figurative sculpture.  Deanne has been teaching both children and adults at the Ann Arbor Art Center since 2014, and joined the Art Center staff as the ceramic studio tech in 2018.  When not creating artwork, you can find her playing hockey, plucking the banjo, or playing the flute in the Ann Arbor Concert Band. 

Deb Scott

Deb is a native New Yorker who moved to Michigan 12 years ago. She has a BFA from SUNY Purchase, NY and an MS from NYU in Digital Imaging and Design. She taught 3D modeling and animation at the Art Institute of Michigan for 6 years. She has taught Stop Motion animation workshops at the Ann Arbor Art Center and character design and animation at the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center. After working in graphic design for 17 years, she turned her focus to production coordination working at Blue Sky Studios on feature animated films, including “Ice Age 3” and “Rio”. Deb helps artists and writers get their story told through animation and illustration.

Doug Bowman

Doug is a self-taught jeweler who works with sterling silver, fine silver, copper, brass, and bronze. He aims to create fun and interesting pieces, often leaving no surface blank when possible. Doug uses faceted stones and cabochons in various settings to add character and style to his work.

With the knowledge and skills gained over the years working in metals, Doug believes he possess the expertise necessary to train others. He prioritizes teaching shop safety and ensuring a safe work environment at all times. Doug advocates for a hands-on approach to teaching, believing that the more time a student spends actively working with their materials, the better their understanding will be—while also fostering problem-solving skills.

Eve Bratten

Currently finishing her bachelor’s in Illustration in Detroit at the College for Creative Studies, Eve has put on multiple hats for her passions and art community. Next to freelancing and story book illustration, she works as an instructor at the Ann Arbor Art Center teaching the next generation the importance of the arts through figure and character design. Recognized by the Society of Illustrators and remaining on the Presidents List for her years at CCS she continues to work hard to showcase her skills.

Irene Mokra

Irene Mokra has been teaching kids for the last ten years. She has extensive knowledge of preschool and elementary school art education. Irene has graduate degrees in anthropology and business and has taken basic art education at Washtenaw Community College, and multiple classes at the Ann Arbor Art Center, Ann Arbor Rec and Ed, and learning from Janet Kohler, Bob Banks, Mary Thiefels, Lea Bult, Sarah Clark Davis, Nick Reszetar, and others. Irene is a Huron River Art Collective member and many other professional artist associations. She exhibited her work at local galleries, Ann Arbor District Library, Ella Sharp Museum, and multiple non-juried sites. In 2017, she started an LLC children’s art studio, Imokra Art, and ran successful kids’ art camps and Sunday art school. Since 2017, she has developed a Reggio Emilia-inspired art program at Sunshine Special Preschool in Ann Arbor. Currently, she teaches art enrichment classes at Emerson school in Ann Arbor.

Jon Van Eck

Jon Van Eck is an Ann Arbor-based artist who began his life-long love affair with ceramics in 1982. He became a member of the Ann Arbor Potters Guild in 1987, but left in 1990 to raise 5 kids, work, and go to school. He received a BFA in Ceramics from Eastern Michigan University and taught the “Ceramics for Non-Majors” course for two semesters as a graduate teaching assistant. Jon set up a home studio and created Van Eck Pottery & Tile Works in 2005. In 2015 & 2016, he taught workshops at the Ann Arbor Potters Guild on making extruded ceramic dies and combining extrusions with thrown objects. In June 2018, Jon began teaching at the Ann Arbor Art Center, where he continues to teach.

Joshua Harker

Joshua Harker is a sculptor & multimedia artist recognized for adapting and incorporating modern design and manufacturing technologies with traditional methods and materials. This has included 3d printing, CAD design, digital sculpture, 3d scanning, biometrics, animation, and video projection mapping. Harker is considered a pioneer and visionary in 3d printed art and sculpture. 

In addition to a diverse variety of formal art education, his experience and skills were honed through profuse immersion and practice. Joshua’s fascination with digital sculpture and 3d printing technology began as a commercial sculptor and designer in the toy, invention, design, and product development industries. In the late 90’s, he founded a boutique design and development firm servicing entrepreneurs to Fortune 500 companies. He served as its president through 2008, leaving his post to return to art.

In addition to exhibiting globally in galleries and museums, he produced the #1 most funded Sculpture project in Kickstarter history (2011-2015). Joshua’s experimentation in presenting his art through social media and the internet has garnered international recognition. His work is among thousands of collections, appearing worldwide in countless publications and press.

Joshua lives in Scio with his wife, daughter, dog, cats & chickens. When not busy creating, he enjoys making music, traveling, hiking, backpacking, & paddle sports.

Julie Madden

Julie Schnell Madden is a ceramic artist who has worked with the material for over 35 years, creating both functional and non-functional clay objects. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, and she has served as Visiting Artist at various institutions, often creating curriculum and teaching strategies while in residence. She received her BFA from Ohio University and her MA and MFA from Bowling Green State University. Spending most of her career teaching at various universities, she has recently relocated back to her hometown of Toledo, Ohio, where she has set up her studio.

Kim Jackson DeBord

Kim Jackson DeBord is an artist and educator working at the intersection of art, design & craft. She earned degrees in Fiber from the University of Michigan, Fashion from Parsons School of Design, and attended The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) as a Trustee Merit Scholar to earn her MFA in Fiber and Material Studies. Kim taught at SAIC, Columbia College, Lill Street Art Center in Chicago, and the Ann Arbor Art Center. In addition to studio practice, she has maintained a long career in freelance art and design. Her work has been internationally published and exhibited.

Kristine Haddox

Kristine started teaching at the Ann Arbor Art Center when she and her husband moved from Texas to Michigan in 2005. She has a Master of Fine Arts degree in Sculptural Metalsmithing from Texas A & M University-Commerce and is an award-winning artist with a passion for teaching. In Texas, she taught at various colleges and universities; teaching Metalsmithing, Sculpture, Ceramics, 2-D and 3-D Design, Art Appreciation, and Humanities. Other than art and teaching, her two favorite things are getting dirty and playing with fire.  This is probably why she has always been fascinated by metals and all of the metal techniques and processes. 

Lainey Queen

Lainey is a mixed media artist from Ann Arbor, Michigan, who has always been drawn to the creative process. Their appreciation for the arts was shaped by their early exposure to art through both Ann Arbor Public Schools Visual & Performing Arts Programs, as well as the deep artistic influence of their family. Lainey’s grandmothers, one an oil painter and former art teacher, and the other a master in traditional quilting and knitting, instilled in them a love for both fine art and textile craftsmanship.

Their interest in arts education was first sparked by their experience of creating art with young people in both nannying and classroom assisting. Throughout their time at Community High School and Kalamazoo College, Lainey’s interest in learning about visual arts led to further artistic engagement with people of all ages. Now, as an arts instructor, Lainey is passionate about sharing the joy with others of exploring new techniques and pushing the boundaries of their creativity.

Liz Mitchell

Liz Mitchell (she/her/hers) is a social worker and psychotherapist who has a passion for education and ceramics. She has worked with the Ann Arbor Art Center in various roles since 2014, including camp staff, ceramics studio assistant, ceramics instructor, and education consultant. Liz currently teaches youth ceramics classes and some adult workshops at the art center; her primary interests are wheel throwing and surface decoration. Liz enjoys playing roller derby, hiking, and caring for her houseplants when she’s not working as a therapist or art instructor.

Padrick Ritch

Padrick Ritch award winning independent filmmaker and photographer and faculty Lecturer at the University of Michigan and Wayne State University, where he teaches Film and Television production courses. His work has been featured internationally at acclaimed film festivals and exhibitions, including the Ann Arbor Film Festival. A native Michander, Padrick moved back to Ann Arbor in 2022 after working in production in California and Boston and teaching at Boston University and Harvard University, DCE.

Rachel Derocher

Rachel graduated from Albion College with a BA in Psychological Science and Environmental Studies. She joined the Art Center staff in the summer of 2019 and assists with educational programming, including teaching classes and developing new ArtBoxes. Outside the Art Center, you’ll find her exploring new hiking trails, taking on new crafts, and befriending all sorts of dogs.

Regina James

Regina is a local artist that is currently active within the community at markets and events, with her focus on pottery and textured paintings. She began her formal art studies when dual enrolling in a darkroom photography class at Siena Heights University in high school. After graduating in 2004, she continued studying photography at Washtenaw Community College where her passion for makeup artistry began. After starting work with MAC Cosmetics as a part-time artist, this journey ultimately lead Regina to becoming a Regional Trainer for the midwest, where she discovered her passion for education and service in the arts. In 2019, Regina separated from MAC and spent the next few years focusing on family until becoming a stay at home mom to twins in 2021. She went back to school online and in the evenings at Oakland Community College, beginning her studies and practice in ceramics. Shortly after, Regina started her business Soda Pop Pottery to further connect with the community with goals of work/mom life balance.

Her partnership with A2AC began in 2024 as an instructor for the youth Creativity Camp and has continued with various classes for adults and kids, including clay.

Sajeev Visweswaran

Sajeev Visweswaran is a visual artist/printmaker based in Ann Arbor, USA. While he works in many media and styles, drawing always comes at the center of his work. He has focused on minimalist lines and measures etchings throughout his repertoire. Sajeev’s works draw on the tension between the mundane activities of everyday life and his political sensibilities, between his young life in village India and the world of fine art. He is fascinated by the intersection of the personal and the political, presence and absence, the domestic and the public. Sajeev received his training from the College of Art, New Delhi, where he received his BFA before completing his MVA at M.S. University, Baroda. His first solo show was held at 1 Shanthi Road, Bangalore, in 2014, and his works have been selected for several exhibitions and group shows across India, as well as in Korea, Romania, and France. He has attended residencies at 1 Shanthi Road, Bangalore, in 2014 and the ‘Residence Price’ at the 13th Biennale Internationale de Gravure de Sarcelles, France, in 2008. His work was also selected for The Fifth Graphic Art Biennial of Szeklerland în Sfântu Gheorghe, Romania, in 2018. Recently he curated a four-person exhibition, ‘Division, Commonality, Encounter’ at Scarab Club, which was well received in the Detroit art community.

Susan Mankowski

I am a woman searching for a deeper connection with others, nature, and myself. Art/teaching is a way I have found to work toward this goal. I was born and raised in the suburbs of Detroit, but I believe I came to life when I discovered Ann Arbor. The minute I first visited Ann Arbor, I felt more alive. This made for an easy decision to attend the University of Michigan School of Art. I spent a couple of years studying Interior Design but found myself each summer working with kids and teaching art. I decided to switch gears slightly and get my BFA and a teaching certificate. I believe teaching was the work I was meant to do. Soon after graduating, I got a job with the Brighton Area Schools. I began my career teaching art at the elementary level but eventually spent a few years at the middle school before moving on to high school. I spent 22 of my 32-year career teaching at the high school level. I taught a variety of media, but mostly ceramics. This was quite a challenge since my first loves were drawing and watercolor, but I jumped in, taking workshops and learning from a colleague. Now I can’t decide which I enjoy more, watercolor or ceramics. I’ve even combined them in my work on occasion. Before retiring, I had a studio built onto my home with space and equipment to do both. Since retiring from public schools, I have been teaching and creating in my studio and teaching at the A2AC. You can usually find me outside when I’m not in my studio. I enjoy putting around my yard, and long walks through my neighborhood or in one of the Ann Arbor parks. I enjoy spending time with my 2 young adult children or visiting my sister “up north,” where we walk, bike and kayak.

Tricia Hampo

Tricia Hampo is a graduate of the University of Michigan School of Art and Design and Eastern Michigan University with a teaching certificate in Art Education. Tricia made glass beads and sold them to jewelry designers around the country for 15 years. After moving into a new home with an ideal studio space, she began painting again in acrylics, oils, and pastels and creating mixed media art. Thanks to the internet, Tricia has sold over 750 prints of her artwork and completed many commissions from clients worldwide. She loves to create and explore new ideas, mediums, and inspirations. She also loves to share her passion for the arts and her skills and experiences with anyone who desires to experience the endless possibilities and joys of creative expression.