The Art Spot on 25th

JANA LEE MAI-MATTHES
I'm Miss Jana and art is my passion. I have been making art for as long as I can remember. Art is a part of who I am, and I try to engage in creative endeavors each day. My high school art teacher had a profound affect on the direction of my life and my hope is to inspire others the way she inspired me.

I studied at Kansas City Art Institute and earned my BFA from Wichita State University. At Drake University, my graduate studies were in K-8 elementary education with endorsements in Art Education and Talented and Gifted. I have worked professionally as a graphic designer, a practicing artist, and since 2015, I've been teaching summer art camps at Des Moines Christian School.

What I love most about art-making is the creative process and seeing how our lives and experiences influence our creative ventures. Allowing our minds to expand and create without judgement is key to a productive artistic experience. Making awesome art is simply icing on the cake!

CHRIS BARRY
I love everything about art! The materials, the methods, and the mess! I am not an artist because of my abilities and skills but because of how I view the world. My mind was designed to take note of the patterns, balance, unity, movement, and contrast in all that I see.

I believe we are all created with the ability to imagine and by using the materials, methods, and mess of art, we can use our creative spirit to generate and recognize new ways of thinking, problem solving, and communicating.

I have a degree in K-12 Art Education and a certificate in Art Therapy from Grandview University. I have taught art at summer camps, camps for those with cognitive disabilities, and after school programs. I also held the Elementary Art position at Des Moines Christian School for 17 years. I am excited to teach in a studio setting where the instruction can be tailored to meet the needs of each student.