Kate

Lead Teacher (Crafternoon, Online Mixed Media, Digital Art), IT department, social media marketing and content creation

Why the Arterie?

The values and culture are fantastic: freedom, personal agency and growth, mutual respect, celebration of differences, and flexibility - not just amongst our team but also for visitors to our studio. Everyone on our team is so kind and great to work with, and it's empowering to be part of an organization that fosters community and values giving back.

Favorite genre of literature: weird fiction & sci-fi (A Roadside Picnic, The City and The City, Solaris, The Expanse)

Music: eclectic electronic, classic trance and house, cheesy eurodance

Favorite snack: anything salty or pickled

If you could teleport anywhere, where?: My best friend's house so we could hang out every day and hurt our stomachs laughing

Dream vacation: Japan

Favorite artist: The hardest question, I can't choose one! I'm a big fan of impressionism, secessionist art, and the pre-raphelites. Contemporary painters I love: Olya Bossak, Aaron Westerberg, Przemek Blejzyk, Michelle Ku

Omelie

Art teacher

Why the Arterie? The Arterie is a unique place. I think it really allows children to explore their creativity in a learning environment. 

Favorite genre of music: I like a ton of different genres of music! Recently, I’ve been mainly into a lot of folk and indie rock kind of stuff. I also enjoy some ambient sounds when i’m trying to focus.

Favorite snack: Dark chocolate anything.

If you could teleport anywhere, where?: Literally anywhere on horseback :) 

Dream vacation: I want to go to Glacier National Park very badly. I love wildlife more than anything so it would be incredible to see.

Favorite artist: I really enjoy Salvador Dali’s artwork. Surrealism is so intriguing to me and exciting to look at.

Kai

Child entertainer, art chameleon, supply packer 

Why the Arterie?

I’m here because it’s such a kind and creative environment. I did classes as a kid and I’m so happy that I get to still be there now.

Favorite genre of music: I love all music but definitely a heavy metal lover.

Favorite snack: Strawberries all the way

If you could teleport anywhere, where?: The Moon.

Dream vacation: Germany in the spring!! I need!!

Favorite artist: Lisa Frank or Thomas Kinkade

Mikayla

Art teacher/studio assistant

Why the Arterie?

The Arterie has been such a safe space for me for the past 10 years. I started taking classes and began to develop my personal art style here, and then it turned into my first job in high school. Over the years I’ve been lucky to work all kinds of camps, classes, and birthday parties. The Arterie is what inspired me to pursue a career as an art educator and has shown me how important it is to create community spaces for kids of all ages to be able to explore new art media and their creativity!   

Favorite genre of literature: My favorite genre of literature is probably sci-fi/dystopian or thriller, but I would not consider myself much of a reader.

Music: My favorite genre of music is indie/alternative.

Favorite snack: My fave snack is potato chips and dip or anything with peanut butter!

If you could teleport anywhere, where?: If I could teleport anywhere, it would be to any beach in San Diego. It would be a great way to avoid traffic, lol.

Dream vacation: Japan and Ireland are my top travel destinations right now, but any vacation where I can relax, explore, and hang out with friends is the dream!

Favorite artist: I have many favorite artists, but want to shout out some Long Beach artists/muralists that have inspired me this past year! Dave Van Patten, Spenser Little, Olivia Sawai, and many more.