Biography:
In high school, I knew I wanted to teach and my love of art became my vehicle. In 1981, I received my BS in Art Education from The College of St. Rose and started teaching junior and senior high school near Ithaca, NY. While teaching, I received an MS in Education at Elmira College in Elmira, NY. Life experience took me in anoth
Biography:
In high school, I knew I wanted to teach and my love of art became my vehicle. In 1981, I received my BS in Art Education from The College of St. Rose and started teaching junior and senior high school near Ithaca, NY. While teaching, I received an MS in Education at Elmira College in Elmira, NY. Life experience took me in another direction.
After moving to Connecticut in 1997, I stayed home to raise my family. While home, I returned to one of my concentrations in college and started Heart’s Desire, a handmade jewelry business fabricating one of a kind pieces sold on Etsy, in small boutiques and at my home.
I realized after many years that I needed to be certified in CT so that I could be in a classroom again should the opportunity arise. I was certified to teach art in CT in the spring of 2009. As an art teacher, artwork and creativity are constant. As a teacher it isn’t just about the techniques, but also about nurturing and encouraging each student’s success with each project. Creativity stretches beyond artistic tools and techniques.
My love for teaching art is backed by formal training across various creative mediums and incredible classroom results. I have extensive experience developing interactive art curriculums that synchronize art, history, current trends, and various art techniques. My experiences have given me a strong understanding of effective course planning, evaluation of student outcomes and assessments, development of skills, and teaching a wide range of age levels and abilities.
As a teacher for 30+ years, my involvement grew into a passion that led me to open my own studio, Art Experience LLC. I taught classes weekly, inclusive of Drawing and Painting, Art History Connections, Jewelry/Metalworking, ClayHandbuilding/Wheel Work and portfolio assessment/review and development.
My belief is that “Life is ART!” As an artist, I make what pleases me, speaks to me, and affirms my spirit and beliefs. Whatever the piece, it’s all about looking inside, tapping into that and working with what I find.
"Julie is an excellent educator. Everyone loves her classes, kids and adults alike. Wonderful rapport. Cannot say enough wonderful things about her and her classes." - Jean
"My son has been taking classes with Julie since he was 12 and he is now 16. He consistently says that it’s his favorite class. Julie is an amazing teacher. She is so c
"Julie is an excellent educator. Everyone loves her classes, kids and adults alike. Wonderful rapport. Cannot say enough wonderful things about her and her classes." - Jean
"My son has been taking classes with Julie since he was 12 and he is now 16. He consistently says that it’s his favorite class. Julie is an amazing teacher. She is so creative, knowledgeable, encouraging and inspiring. She works hard to make sure my son has everything he needs to create and develop his work and even went above and beyond to submit his work to the Scholastic Arts and Writing Awards Competition two years in a row where he placed and was featured at the Silpe gallery in Hartford. I can’t say enough good things about Julie and her studio. The art work that comes out of her students is phenomenal, and she makes it look so easy. She really has a way of working with kids that makes them feel good about themselves. Needless to say, I highly recommend her." = Samantha
"I truly can’t say enough about Julie and the experience we have had with her. My teenage son had an opportunity to take a class with Julie through his school and he was immediately taken with her. He is not necessarily 'into' art or an artist but he loves Julie and the way she makes art accessible and open which says VOLUMES about her st
"I truly can’t say enough about Julie and the experience we have had with her. My teenage son had an opportunity to take a class with Julie through his school and he was immediately taken with her. He is not necessarily 'into' art or an artist but he loves Julie and the way she makes art accessible and open which says VOLUMES about her style of teaching. Since then we began doing a homeschooling program with Julie [which included] my 17 yr old plus two friends who are more serious artists. Julie is able to balance their time, challenge them all, work to their strengths and levels.... I love the fact that my son is doing something he wouldn’t normally do which only benefits his growth. And he is doing it because he loves his time with Julie and how he feels accomplishing a project with her support. Julie shows children the joy of art while respecting who they are as people. She is one of the most genuine people I know and the kids respond accordingly. Julie is a gem beyond words and we are so blessed to have her in our lives!" - Janis