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.
Alyse Guenther
Alyse Guenther is an multimedia artist and instructor. She received her BFA in Studio Art and English from Kalamazoo College and has since created and taught art locally and abroad. Her interdisciplinary practice spans a wide range of mediums, including large-scale painting, photography, pottery, poetry, theatre, and social justice filmmaking. She loves to push the bounds of creativity and expression and is consistently inspired by collaborating with her students and community. She's passionate about making art accessible and engaging for all and exploring themes of resilient joy, transformation, personal growth, and cross-cultural connections.
Amanda Bialk
Amanda Bialk is a ceramic artist from Cincinnati, Ohio. After graduating with her BFA from the University of Cincinnati in 2015, she worked in a variety of gallery positions before shifting her focus to working as a production ceramic artist for almost a decade. She spent time working at Rookwood Pottery and Motawi Tileworks, in addition to selling her own work in local stores, markets and restaurants. She is currently the Exhibition Manager at the A2AC in addition to instructing ceramic courses and workshops. Her ceramic practice, Clio Ceramics, draws inspiration from her love of art history, mythology, and folklore. In her spare time she likes to spend time in nature, read weird books, and goof around with her husband and two cats, Smokey Joe and Yoga Pants.
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.
Cashmere Morley
Cashmere is an award-winning graphic designer and writer, who has dedicated her creative career to making art accessible to all. She opened her design agency in Ann Arbor in 2016, and since then, she has done work for some of the most prestigious museum and exhibition spaces not only locally, but across the country. A graduate from Eastern Michigan University, Cashmere double-majored in graphic design and journalism, and still enjoys freelance writing for local newspapers today. When she’s not immersed in design or writing, you’ll likely find her strumming her guitar, playing piano, or brewing a comforting pot of tea.
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 Manager.
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.”
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.
Faith Nesbitt
Faith Nesbitt is a ceramic artist formally known as, The Funky Fungi. Past seasons of my ceramic journey have looked like hosting pop-up hand building workshops at local spots, hosting pop-up makers markets, teaching school aged kids pottery, teaching adults both weekly and semester long pottery classes, managing an art studio, running a kids art summer camp and I’ve even managed to celebrate the art of dance by sprinkling in a silent disco here and there. A common trend for me? bringing community together and making art assessable for all. Faith is currently the Ceramic Studio Tech at A2AC in addition to instructing ceramic courses and workshops. Faith works on the clays time. What’s Faiths job? Clay. What’s Faiths hobby? Clay. What’s Faiths favorite food? Clay.
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.
Kelsey Hofe
Kelsey is an Appalachian artist and theatre performer from West Virginia. She joins A2AC after years of working in professional theatre and as an independent artist honing her skills and passion for visual arts. Over the course of her career, Kelsey has created multiple summer art camps and worked to empower communities to create accessibility and inclusion in the arts. Kelsey is overjoyed to join the Ann Arbor community and hopes to continue to cultivate an appreciation of the arts for the next generation of students. In her free time, you can find Kelsey learning a new artistic medium, enjoying new and old movies, or snuggling with her black cat Jiji.
Katy Jeffrey
Katy Jeffrey holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in Ceramics from Eastern Michigan University. A long-time Ann Arbor resident, she now lives in Livonia to be closer to family and friends after becoming a mom. Katy has a long history with the Ann Arbor Art Center, having first taught pottery classes there during her college years—back when the Center was still located on Felch Street. She was part of the team that transitioned into the current building and especially enjoyed teaching pottery to summer camp students, calling it one of her favorite jobs.
Though she currently works in the corporate world, Katy remains an active and passionate ceramic artist. She is a Guild Member of the Village Potters Guild in Old Village Plymouth and sells her functional pottery pieces at The Town Peddler in Livonia. Outside the studio, Katy enjoys gardening in her hobby greenhouse, hiking, bird watching, and cooking. She shares her life with her 11-year-old son and two beloved rescue dogs.
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.
Levi Hubbel
Levi received their BFA at the University of Michigan’s Stamps School of Art and Design. They are currently finishing their degree in arts education with a concentration in ceramics at Eastern Michigan University. Levi is passionate about youth education, and has been working with young artists for 6 years. They joined the A2AC community as the Social Emotional Learning Specialist for A2AC’s Art Camp in 2025, and they are currently teaching youth and family classes at the center.
Lena B. Ellis-Boatman
Lena B. Ellis-Boatman is a printmaker, artist, and art educator. Lena loves teaching, and xé is passionate about teaching art. A Michigander for over 15 years, Lena is originally from Toledo, Ohio. Lena earned xyr BFA degree in printmaking and painting from Bowling Green State University in Ohio, where xé also studied art education. Lena later graduated from Michigan State University with xyr MFA degree in printmaking.
Lena teaches studio art classes and workshops for a range of ages and skill levels. Xé has worked with teen artists and taught youth and adults at several arts nonprofits in Ohio and Michigan. At the college level, Lena has taught studio foundations, printmaking, book arts, life drawing, and fiber arts courses at several institutions, including Michigan State University, the College for Creative Studies, and Washtenaw Community College.
Lena believes compassion, open-hearted listening, a growth mindset, and fostering a sense of belonging are all essential in education and to being in community together. Lena sees studio classrooms as creative communities where everyone works together and supports each other, and xé intentionally structures course activities to nurture those interpersonal exchanges.
When not working or teaching, Lena is outdoors in nature (hiking, kayaking, hammocking, and literally hugging trees), listening to audiobooks, writing fiction, and enjoying quality time with friends and other loved ones.
Liz Wylde
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.
Nina DiMambro
Nina DiMambro is the artist and metalsmith behind Twistful Thinking, a small jewelry studio rooted in craftsmanship, intention, and personal storytelling. With formal bench training and years of hands on experience, she creates heirloom-quality sterling silver and gold jewelry featuring crystals, gemstones, and celestial inspired details, using both traditional metalsmithing and wax carving techniques.
Nina is passionate about supporting small business and handmade artistry, and she brings that same care into every class she teaches. She loves guiding students through the jewelry making process - from foundational skills to creative problem solving - so they leave feeling confident, inspired, and proud of what they’ve made.
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.
Rose Pengelly
Rose is a ceramic artist currently making and living in Hamtramck, Michigan. She has a BA in Studio Art with a concentration in ceramics and sculpture. While studying she found her passion for bringing art to others through teaching and community arts. In 2023 she joined the community of Village Potters Guild in Plymouth, Michigan and just this year began teaching at A2AC. When outside of ceramic studios you can find Rose at community events, with family, or spending time with her cat, Milo.
Sarah Ward
Sarah Ward is an interdisciplinary artist specializing in ceramics and sculpture. An Ann Arbor native, they received a BFA in Art and Design from Alma College. They began their career at the Ann Arbor Art Center as an instructor at the Clay Camp and have gone on to teach other workshops and classes .
Their work focuses on making environments and creatures to create unique narratives. There is nothing more Sarah enjoys than making weird little guys. When not in the ceramics studio, you can find them in the woodshop, learning a new craft, or playing board games.
Simone Leath
Simone is an interdisciplinary creative, and arts educator. Experienced in both visual and performing arts she lends more of her time to youth education, focused on facilitating an understanding of art, inclusivity, and the very serious business of being silly.
Providing an enthused initiative and a niche for impactful work, Simone is passionate about creativity and using it to produce eclectic and effective media. Outside of creative development, her interests include comedy, television & film, photography, and she can more likely be found doodling.
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.
Ted Simpson
Ted Simpson is a landscape artist and Certified Bob Ross Instructor based in Michigan. Drawing on the wet-on-wet oil painting techniques popularized by Bob Ross, Ted creates luminous mountain landscapes, serene seascapes, and other atmospheric nature scenes that reflect his love of light, mood, and quiet moments in the natural world.
Ted’s work emphasizes accessible artistry. Through both his studio practice and his instruction, he strives to make art welcoming and encouraging for painters at all levels. His paintings invite viewers to pause and experience calm, whether through misty peaks, soft horizons, or tranquil waters.
Since 2017, Ted has taught workshops across the country that blend technical skill with creative exploration, helping students build confidence and find their own expressive voice in oil painting.
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.
Tristan Surre
Tristan is a multidisciplinary artist currently based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Aside from studying Illustration at College for Creative Studies and earning an Associate of Fine Arts from Washtenaw Community College, he is self-taught. He has a passion for creating freehand ink illustrations and aims to elicit feelings of nostalgia, sentimentality and curiosity through his work. Tristan believes in teaching to be creative; challenging beliefs and embodying the habits that artists practice in order to generate complex ideas and execute them easily. “I want to connect with the world through my art in a way that spawns curiosity and makes you uncomfortable. We should always question everything.” He had work displayed in the CCS Detroit Student Exhibition in 2022 and currently has pieces in the shop at the A2AC.