Hello, I'm Riesa :) I proudly own Key to My Art. I am a NYS certified K-12 Art Teacher, who loves making art and working with children. I have a lifetime of experience working in all aspects of the arts and my favorite thing is making art with children. ​ My hope is that everyone who enters the studio will feel the positive energy that surrounds us here - and in turn feel comfortable, happy, and excited to create ;)

Rick Michaels is a professional artist and Art teacher. He has been working in the creative field for almost twenty years, and as an art teacher for the last eleven. Rick studied graphic design at Hofstra University. After a career as a graphic artist Rick returned to Hofstra to earn a Masters degree in Art Education. Working in a public school setting has afforded Rick the opportunity to work with children at all levels (K-12) and gain the experience of working with a wide range of learners, materials, and techniques. Specialties include: drawing, painting, and 2D design.

James is an illustrator who graduated from Pratt Institute specializing in Comics, Cartooning, and Childrens' Books. He has a strong design background. James is currently Penciller on creator-owned book " Androids of NYC" Also Penciller on "Abandon All Hope" from FreeFall Comics, and Art Director on Spellcaster. Currently being represented by Glasshouse Graphics. Link to Resume and Website : http://cargocollective.com/jabeihl

Christina Kampson is a Long Island based illustrator/artist. Her work has a strong whimsical style that appeals to both children and adults. She creates entire worlds in her works with her unique use of bright colors and stylized drawing. She received her BFA from Pratt Institute in Communication Design (Illustration, Graphic Design, & Advertising) and is currently pursuing her MS in Art Education. Check out her work at ChristinaKampson.com

Lana is a NYS Certified early childhood teacher. She studied at the University of British Columbia, where she got her degree in Education. She acquired her masters degree at Hunger College in NYC. Lana has taught for schools in Richmond, BC as well as for the NYC public schools. She is a mom of two young boys, and loves creating new and exciting lessons for young children. Her passion is working with children - watching them discover the world around them creatively through hands on education.

Hi, I’m Megan! Upon graduating with my BS degree in Art Therapy, I began working at Family and Children’s Association as a Respite Counselor. In this position, I was encouraged to help children with various behavioral and mental health diagnoses become involved and engaged in their communities. While pursuing my Master’s in Art Therapy, I focused on the importance of the arts in the development of healthy family dynamics and positive self esteem amongst children. During my studies and career, I realized that the arts were often sidelined from the regular school curriculum. This led me to work with various non-profit organizations that provide art programs to NYC’s Public School System where I have been leading and teaching art classes to grades K-12 for over three years. I consider myself to be a passionate visual artist that loves to share the positive influence creativity has had on me with others!

Kristen Stedman is a junior at Arcadia University, where she studies communications and graphic design. She has been an assistant at Key to My Art since June 2015, and recently began teaching classes. Outside of Key to My Art, Kristen does freelance work, writes for lifestyle magazine Loco Mag, and nurses her continually-expanding tea collection.

Kayla is a junior at Massapequa High School. She has been making art for as long as she can remember. Kayla is a photographer and has done freelance photography work for weddings and special occasions. Kayla has also been commissioned to paint portraits and has been in several art shows where her paintings, drawings and photography have been showcased. One of Kayla's short films won the Amelie A. Wallace Arts-In-Education award. She loves to create and to help others do the same.