teaching artists
At the Museum of Children's Art, our Teaching Artists and Assistants (TAs) are central to our mission of bringing arts education programs to Bay Area schools and communities. MOCHA TAs have residencies in public and private schools, libraries, within our community, and at our Oakland based studio and gallery.
Ariel Goldman, M.F.A.
Ariel Goldman, she/her, Walnut Creek, California home. Her arts education includes a Bachelor’s degree in painting and drawing from California College of Arts and a Master’s degree in animation from the Academy of Art University. When Ariel practices art, she focuses on painting and drawing, sewing and textiles, and illustration. She prefers painting with oils because she loves the creamy texture of oil paint and the way the paint can create layers that glow from within. She often paints portraits and so Frida Kahlo is one of her favorite artists as Kahlo’s portraits are honest, lovely, and powerful. When teaching art, one of Ariel’s favorite projects is drawing to music; It’s wonderful to see students connecting with music in a visual way that they wouldn’t have expected.
Jocelyn Jones
Jocelyn Jones, she/her, born and raised in Berkeley, California. Jocelyn accomplished two Bachelors in Arts, for Cinema Production and Studio Art Practices, emphasizing in painting and drawing, from San Francisco State University in 2009. She has been teaching art in schools and art centers, from Richmond to Oakland, for the last 7 years. Currently, she is a Teaching Artist with MOCHA, teaching K-5th grade at Chabot Elementary School in Oakland, California. Jocelyn's favorite artist is Frida Kahlo. She carries great admiration for Kahlo's vulnerability in processing and depicting her physical ailments and her determination to use her voice as an artist even when bound to her bed. Kahlo inspires Jocelyn to find the means to create art even when limited in resources or ability.
Marco Garcia, M.F.A
Marco Garcia, he/him, is an Oakland-based visual artist. He holds a B.F.A. from Texas A&M University-Kingsville. Garcia holds a M.F.A. from California College of the Arts. Marco's practice spans across drawing, painting, soft sculpture, installation, dance, performance and fashion design.
Meera Desai, M.F.A.
Meera Desai (she/her), San Francisco native, is an artist, teacher, and proud mom of two boys. In the last 30 years, she has painted and facilitated over 25 public and community murals around the Bay Area. Meera happened to fall into mural making when she volunteered to help on one at a local residential mental health facility. From there, the seed was planted, and she continues to enjoy adding vibrancy and color to the urban world around us. She obtained grants and awards for her murals such as a Creative Work Fund for her collaboration with the Asian Women’s Shelter in San Francisco. Since earning her M.F.A. in Painting in 1996, Meera has taught art to people of all ages at public schools, colleges and libraries. One of Meera's favorite artists is sculptor Anish Kapoor.
Samantha Cuevas
Samantha Cuevas, she/her, born and raised in Oakland, California and was an intern at MOCHA before being employed as an MPA. Samantha graduated from Oakland High School in 2023, and was in the Visual Arts Academy and Media Production (VAAMP) pathway. Through VAAMP, she was introduced to various art forms such as fine arts, photography and graphic design. She's grown a particular love for collage art, as it takes materials that are accessible to anyone and can allow her to have fun and be as creative as possible even while using "basic" materials. Since childhood, Samantha's favorite artist has been her older sister Michelle, who she felt inspired by as she watched her get into multiple new art obsessions. It's always allowed for art to be part of her life and to learn that in art you can always learn something new. Samantha's passion for working with kids at MOCHA has translated to furthering her own education to teach young minds, and is currently studying at Berkeley City Collage for a Teacher Preparation Associate in Arts Degree.
Thea Hurwitz
Thea Hurwitz, she/her, is from Arlington, VA, and grew up exploring the free museum resources of Washington, D.C. Thea has a B.A. in Individualized Studies from New York University, where she devised her own major about accessibility in art education. A true mixed-media artist, Thea is interested in textiles, painting, collaging, ceramics, and more, and is currently exploring recycled art. She has a particular interest in children's literature and loves storytime at the library, and some of her favorite artists are children's authors and illustrators including Molly Bang, Maurice Sendak, and Eric Carle.
Eileen Perez-Iglesias
Eileen Perez, she/her, born and raised in Oakland, California has had a lifelong interest in art. Eileen was heavily influenced by other artists in her family, like her grandfather, who was a musician in Cuba. Fascinated by creation, Eileen tends to switch mediums from textiles, to tattooing, to paint, and so many more. Eileen’s favorite artist is Coco Ezebuogo, who makes Afro surrealism art, which is the art styles she draws the most inspiration from.
Lisa Krones-Whalen
Lisa Krones-Whalen, she/her, was born in Oakland and grew up in El Cerrito where she was encouraged at an early age artistically by her grandfather, who made his living as an oil painter and commercial artist. Her family moved to Berkeley for her high school years where she took a ceramics class that inspired her to see that art could come in many different forms. Lisa continued her education and received a B.A. in Psychology from SF State University. Creating art has always been Lisa’s driving passion, so through the years she has explored many different techniques and mediums. One pivotal point in her career was the opportunity to work as an art assistant at Sierra Elementary School where she discovered she loved working with children. While raising her daughter with her husband Bob she volunteered every week doing art projects in her daughter’s classrooms, which eventually led her to Rosa Parks Elementary School where she worked for many years teaching art. She was very excited for the opportunity to join with MOCHA and to be able to again share her passion for art to children and their parents in the library program. Lisa has experienced firsthand the impact arts education has on children. In third grade she did a report about Vincent Van Gogh, which made such an impression that he is still one of her favorite artists
Mary Lawrence
Mary Evelyn Lawrence, she/her, born and raised in Vacaville California. She attended the Art Institute SF - CA. Mary creates Fire Art, using alcohol-based ink activated with fire to create abstract art on various materials. She travels around the U.S. showing, selling, and educating people about her unique science-based technique. Currently for MOCHA, Mary works as an Art Educator at Sankofa United in Oakland CA, where she teaches TK-5th grade inspiring the next generation to create. Mary’s favorite artist is Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Meghan McLean, M.P.S.
Meghan (she/her) was born in a small house on the top of a hill in Hayward, California. She grew up immersed in the arts, attending non-traditional elementary and middle schools that encouraged hands-on learning and student-driven education. She earned her B.A. in Creative Writing at San Francisco State, and later an M.P.S. in Publishing from George Washington University. Over the years she has taught kids and adults the joy of exploring their curiosity through creativity. Lisa Congdon is one of Meghan’s favorite artists, as Lisa’s bold use of imagery, inspiring messaging, and bright colors sparks a sense of wonder that reminds Meghan of the joy of being a child. Meghan has recently also been inspired by the work of Brazilian artist João Incerti and his use of pattern and connection to nature.
Stephanie Peth
Stephanie Peth, she/her, is a proud San Jose, California native. Stephanie’s passion for the arts started very early in her childhood with drawing and crafting daily. Her second passion is being an educator, knowing by the age of 8 that this was her career goal. Now she has a dream job of doing two things that she loves: making art and teaching! As a MOCHA Teaching Artist, her approach to teaching is playful, approachable, and easily relatable to students of all ages. Stephanie, who is truly a kid at heart, draws her inspiration and happiness from artists that have produced iconic characters of her youth: Hello Kitty (created by Yuko Shimizu), Mickey Mouse (created by Ub Iwerks), and tokidoki (created by Simone Legno).
Toby Simon, M.A.
Toby Simon, she/her, was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA but moved to San Francisco after college where she now lives with her husband and three kids. She received her B.F.A. in Industrial Design from Carnegie Mellon University and recently received her M.A. in Art Education from Academy of Art University. Her artwork explores rhythm in line which often takes the form of Mandalas and she has published a workbook that instructs people how to draw their own radial patterns. Before becoming a Teaching Artist at MOCHA, she spent a few years teaching mindful drawing techniques (like Mandalas) to adults experiencing homelessness in San Francisco. Toby's favorite artist is Norman Lewis, among other Abstract Expressionists. Lewis' paintings vary in line weight and use of brushstrokes, but every painting is dynamic, rhythmic, and full of energy.
Jill McLennan, M.F.A.
Jill McLennan (she/her) grew up in Providence, RI, and Chilmark, MA, where she developed a love for the urban and the natural. She attended Hampshire College in MA, with a focus on Painting, Drawing, Art History and Natural Science. After college, She went to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago where she earned her Master’s in Art Education and Teacher Certification. McLennan's art practice explores the environment through drawing, painting, and linoleum block prints. Currently, she is inspired by exhibitions of work by Kehinde Wiley, Wangechi Mutu and Jaune Quick-to-see Smith. Her art lessons teach technique while emphasizing curiosity and are inspired by living artists from cultures around the world. As both an artist and a teacher, she is deeply invested in protecting urban nature, inspiring our youth, and spreading hope and joy in the world.
London Padgett
London Padgett (she/her) from Hayward, California is currently a student at Chabot College. As a child, she was very fortunate to have both an art teacher mom and grandma. London started as a MOCHA kid and has now become a MOCHA Teaching Artist. When it comes to creativity, her grandma has never shut down an idea and that has influenced her art because now she is a mixed media and abstract painting artist. London loves all forms of art, but enjoys teaching mixed media because MOCHA students always surprise her with their amazing creativity. She teaches at MOCHA because she want to give kids the experience with art that she had and to give them a safe place to create and express themselves.
Mary Stackiewicz
Mary Stackiewicz she/her born in Sacramento ,California and raised in the Bay area. Mary attended college for two semesters but life had other plans. Still in pursuit of her love of art, having Van Gogh as her inspiration. She became the CEO of her own company striving to make a positive impact in her community while using art as a roadmap to success. Mary joined the MOCHA team with much to learn and much to share. She is excited to see where this journey goes.
Michelle Cuevas
Bio coming soon
Tammy Artis
Tammy Artis, she/her, grew up in Hayward, California in a family who are very nature oriented, growing their own fruits and vegetables, and spending much of their time camping, fishing, and diving on the northern California coast. Tammy was introduced to art at a young age and by age 5 had dreams of becoming an artist. Tammy attended Delta College taking art courses while volunteering as an Art Docent at Tokay Colony Elementary School. She opened Art & Soul studio in Berkeley, joined the Firehouse Art Collective and began doing murals with themes of social justice, equity health, and wellness. Teaching and sharing her art in communities that lack resources has been an important part of her journey, and it brought her to MOCHA, where she has been a Teaching Artist for 10 years. Currently, Tammy is the Museum Programs Supervisor which consists of developing curriculum for Open Studio and Art Parties along with mentoring beginning teaching artists. Her favorite artists include architect, Zaha Hadid, Frida Kahlo, and Georgia, O’Keeffe, whose flowing forms and symmetry are very appealing to her. She is drawn to surrealism, cubism and futurism, and loves to incorporate recyclables and found objects into her art.
Assistant Teaching Artists
Angelica Pereira
Angelica Pereira, she/her, was born in Los Banos, CA and grew up in Hollister, CA. Angelica is currently working on obtaining her degree in Child Psychology from Merritt College. She is also in Cosmetology School, in hopes of getting her cosmetology license. Angelica loves art and believes that it is a great way to express yourself. All throughout high school, she took every art class she could. She really enjoys painting, ceramics, and makeup artistry.
Keyaisha Garth
Bio coming soon