Meet Our Team - ART-ventures for Kids 

Michael has been running Mad Science of Western New England since 2011 and welcomed the opportunity to join with and help lead ART-ventures for Kids. He has a lifetime of experience in management, education, science and theatrical performance. Michael has a BS in Science from McGill University, an MBA from Iowa State Ivy School of Business and an Ed.M. in Teaching and Curriculum from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Michael believes strongly in the integration of all STEAM topics into enrichment education for elementary-aged children, and is a firm proponent of fun, student-centered, hands-on learning that inspires creativity. When not managing the organization, he can be found perfoming as Professor Micron in science shows or acting and directing for community theater.  

Lisa is a valuable office administrator for Art-ventures for Kids. She has a degree in Early Childhood Education from Wheelock College in Boston, MA., eight years of experience working in childcare, and another nine years of experience in an office setting. She loves children and has known since third grade that she wanted a career involving education in some way. Being detail-oriented, she also loves office work, so she feels that her role at Art-ventures for Kids gives her the best of both worlds. It makes her so happy to know that the work she does behind the scenes will help to shape the minds of future generations by bringing incredible art experiences to children.

Our incredibly organized Sarah oversees inventory maintenance and materials preparation for Art-ventures for Kids’ many after school, summer, and various other art programs. Sarah is trained in behavior modification and medical interventions. She has more than 15 years of childcare experience, and another 5 years of experience in human services working with adults with cognitive impairments. And her talents don’t end there! She also has a degree in music from Holyoke Community College, and is the lead singer and front woman of the wedding band The Glorious Unknown.

Kathy studied graphic design at Kent State University. After working for a few years as a graphic artist, she started a small business designing and painting ceramic tile murals. Later she entered the corporate world, working as a sales representative for Merck for 17 years, before taking an early retirement to focus on her newest interest: interior design. And now, after all that, Kathy is having a lot of fun calling on her wide range of skills to teach art to children!

At Art-ventures for Kids, Jess is known for being highly energetic and constantly having a smile on her face. She’s had a natural, lifelong knack for entertaining kids, and children are drawn to her. Jess attended Westfield State University as a Liberal Arts Major with concentrations in Fine Arts, Education and Philosophy.  An artist since childhood, she loves to draw, paint, and create mixed media art using mostly natural found items. She is passionate about bringing art education to children, more now than ever, at a time when the Arts are dwindling in school budgets. Jess believes that art education plays a crucial role in the development of children’s critical and abstract thinking as well as dexterity, hand eye coordination, and imagination.  She is proud to help expand young minds.  

Marla is a mixed media artist with many years of experience working with children. Art is her passion, and she has a fondness for teaching, so she feels ART-ventures for Kids is a perfect fit for her. Marla loves to see children truly enjoy being creative and expressing themselves through different mediums. It never ceases to amaze her how unique and creative each child’s work of art is upon completion. Seeing her students excited, confident and inspired is an unparalleled joy for her. Marla studied fine arts at Syracuse University and CCSU. She has lots of ideas for encouraging artistic minds, and is excited about sharing her knowledge and love of art with others. Her calm, sweet, and enthusiastic demeanor, as well as her experience with acrylics and mixed media art, make her a wonderful asset to the ART-ventures for Kids team.

Sharon joined ART-ventures for Kids as a parent volunteer. Having always studied, practiced, and been surrounded by art and music, she understands and promotes the wonderful impact of involvement in cultural opportunities. She is a vocal performer and has worked as a director of activities/volunteers for long-term care facilities, for intergenerational groups, as an assistant in a self-directed arts & learning space, for summer camp arts, community centers, and most recently public schools (after 5 years of being an elementary homeschool mom). Sharon has always been a dedicated volunteer with community organizations, and believes in “Doing what you love and loving what you do”. She is thrilled to share more creative time learning and imagining with children, supporting them warmly as they develop each of their unique stories, and affirming their natural inner sparkle!

“The children LOVED your workshop and parents thought it was wonderful. The fact that the children brought home 4 art projects, all different from one another, speaks volumes about your program. The kids were so proud of their creations and could not wait to show their parents. The young women who facilitated the program were wonderful. We will definitely do this again!” -Joan and the Staff at St. Thomas the Apostle After School Program, West Springfield, MA

"I just wanted to send a note with a big THANK YOU to Tara, who did a wonderful job. She is such an amazing and talented face painter, and so sweet. Everyone loved her, and she did a phenomenal job. Please pass that along to her." Darlene Buttrick, Tighe & Bond, Westfield, MA