Our Instructors

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Jeanne

owner, instructor

Art has always been a part of my life. Painting helped me get through some of my tough teen years by bringing me joy and peace. I started at Uptown Art as a part-time instructor in 2015. I was promoted to manager in 2018. After working for Uptown Art for 5 years, I was offered the opportunity to purchase the business I love. So in September of 2020, I took a leap of faith and became the new studio owner! Our customers and staff are so special to me. I believe our studio is about more than just paint and canvas - we’re here as an escape, a refuge, a celebration. It’s due to the loyalty of our customers that this studio has survived when so many have not. Here’s to many more years!

coming soon

Angela

instructor, class assistant

coming soon

Candace

instructor, class assistant

I graduated with a Bachelor degree in studio art from Centre College in 2008, with a specialty in Ceramics. Over time, I have gravitated more toward painting and drawing. I also enjoy glass blowing. I have a special interest in travel and appreciating art from around the world. I have been to 14 countries and hope to expand that number soon. I started at Uptown Art in 2017. I absolutely love my job and coworkers.

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Christy

class assistant

Coming Soon

Emily D.

instructor, class assistant

I have loved art for as long as I can remember and was raised in a household that encouraged and nurtured it. I graduated with a BFA in ceramics from IU Bloomington, focusing in sculpture. However, painting has always been a passion of mine. I started working for Uptown Art in 2018. Our customers and their experiences during class bring a warm light to my life. In addition to my passion for all arts and crafts, I love nature, long backpacking adventures, animals, and binge watching tv shows.

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Emily G.

instructor, graphic design

coming soon

Emma

instructor, class assistant

coming soon

Kailee

instructor, class assistant

Born in southwest Michigan, I spent my formative years drawing incessantly (mostly animals) and wound up at CCAD. My BFA is in traditional animation, and I've been a painting instructor since 2013. Aside from painting, I enjoy character design and illustration, and am an award-winning miniaturist. I live in Louisville with my husband, our boisterous young son, and a special needs cat

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Kim

instructor, class assistant

My mom always encouraged my sister and I to explore our "creative sides," which is fitting because now she owns an art studio! I have always been artistic and VERY theatrical. I have been performing since I was very young . I have performed throughout the Kentuckiana area in community theater, and cruise ships around the world! Not only do I have a passion for entertaining, I also have a passion for helping others. I love teaching people new things about themselves they may not have known. I started working at Uptown Art in November of 2020 and became an instructor shortly after that. I love coming to work and helping people create something they can be proud of.

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Meghan

instructor, inventory control

Art is a form of expression and in stressful times it is something you can always count on. Like many of my coworkers my love of art started young and stemmed from strife. Making something--anything-- is sure to make you feel better about the world, if even for a moment! And that is what you can do here at Viva Art, which is one of the many reasons I love my job! I am a seamstress by trade, and make costumes for anime conventions and comic-cons and have won awards in 3 countries for my costumes! I love nerdy stuff (I'm even named after Lord of the Rings). My ideal day would be walking around at anime-con in a costume I made with a sweet bun in hand and friends at my side! That being said, I truly love painting (especially with bright colors) and making art in any way possible-- give me a material and I can make some art with it! Afterall, creativity is so special so we gotta use it any way we can! Can't wait to get creative with you guys!

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Moria

instructor, class assistant