MEET OUR TEAM

We started this studio in 2016 as 2-woman show.  We didn't know how big or quickly it would grow, but we had an idea and kept building the dream. Read below for exciting news about New Ownership! We want to bring you talented, experienced and dedicated people that align with artSPARK's values so we can provide the best experience for you and your kids, while keeping true to the studio you have come to know and love.  Do you feel like you align with this team? Apply for a creative job opportunity and join us!

Michele Hardesty

Co-Founder 2016

My creative career has taken me all over the world as an Art and English as a Second Language Teacher to all ages. Through all of these diverse teaching and traveling experiences, I have come to learn it is not about what pretty pictures kids can make, but more about what mistakes are made and what was learned through the process of making. It has become my mission to instill a love of making and appreciating art that lasts a lifetime, so that kids can grow into confident, creative thinkers and problem solvers.  Through artSPARK, I strive to create an inviting and safe environment where kids can create work from their own ideas by exploring media, making mistakes and PLAY! Not everyone will grow up to become a professional artist, but everyone CAN feel good about making, building and creating.

I have a Bachelors in Fine Arts degree with a concentration in Painting and Photography from State University of New York at Oswego and a Masters in Art Education from Rochester Institute of Technology. When I’m not at artSPARK, my husband and I can be found on the sidelines of some sporting event for one of our two sons, working on a home improvement project or on an outdoor adventure together.

Andrea Rollins

Co-Founder 2016

My passion for being an art teacher began when a college professor, my senior year, suggested I join her sophomore class and teach art to an inner city elementary school every week that had no art program.  It instantly lit a spark in me and I was hooked.  From there I took every opportunity to learn about teaching art to kids.  I love to research, see what's been done, and seek out new ways of doing things. For many years I taught like most people think of art classes being taught--project-based and teacher-directed with a pretty result in the end. Over time I noticed kids yearning for a moment in art class to tinker around, find scraps of things and experiment with something that inspired them.  This was always reserved for "open art" after they finished a project.  I began to realize that creativity was being killed in students that weren't allowed the freedom to make their own ideas.  Many didn't care about the idea I wanted them to make because it was my idea, not theirs. It often resulted in art that was very static and impersonal, and art that all looked pretty much the same when hung together in the hallway.  Their heart wasn't in it.  They were just following directions.  With Michele's help we transformed our elementary school art room to a place where ideas and curiosity were the spark that led to the end product.  I am overjoyed to be able to design and create a studio environment with Michele that brings this way of thinking and making to the larger community.   

I graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2000 with a BFA in Industrial Design.  I also have a Masters in Education with a focus on Teaching Through the Arts from Lesley University. Since 2000, I’ve been working in schools, day cares, after care programs, and summer camps, with the majority of my teaching being directly with art, but I've also been an elementary classroom teacher and helped design summer program curriculum.  My husband and I have two boys who keep me active and continue to broaden my perspective on teaching. 

Emily Milbauer

Started at artSPARK January 2019

Lead Instructor

From a young age, art and creativity have been defining parts of my personality. I was the kid who planned crafts to go with my birthday party themes and rarely finished art projects on time because I was completing the project in my own way. I went on to double major in Educational Studies and Art at Illinois Wesleyan University.

While I have spent the years following college working in early childhood education, I have continued to create in many ways and share my creativity with my family, students, and coworkers daily. I have dabbled in a little of everything as techniques fit my ideas or needs, but tend to focus on fiber arts and mixed-media work. I am so excited to bring my passions for education and art together at artSPARK. 

Sarah Rostamo

Started at artSPARK September 2021

Lead Instructor

Creating, learning, and facilitating creative expression and learning are my favorite things in the world. I am an artist and educator with experience as a K-8 school teacher and private instructor. I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2019.I have an ever-evolving, multimedia artistic practice with a current focus in drawing and digital art. I am fascinated by life sciences, technology and all things metaphysical, and express what I learn and perceive through color relationships, organic shape and line, and abstract symbols. 

Between the instructors and students, the creative spirit is abuzz at artSPARK, and I love being within such an inspiring environment. I aim to instill in students an understanding that being an artist is a way of engaging with the world and oneself, and that creative expression makes the human experience richer. 

Michelle Haggett~ ‘Mrs. H’

Started at artSPARK March 2022

Studio Manager, Assistant and Lead Instructor

I am very excited to be a part of artSPARK Creative Studio. I love their philosophy, and how it challenges the student to think, as it encourages artist expression in an environment that nurtures their imagination and encourages them to take risks and explore. I felt at home when I walked into their studio.

Creative expression has always been a part of who I am. As a youth and young adult, I was always drawing, sculpting, painting, experimenting with photography, writing prose and poetry, exploring cooking techniques; basically, discovering and sharing myself in a multitude of different ways. When I had children of my own, I felt that teaching them to discover themselves through creative expression was as important as teaching reading, writing, and arithmetic. I gave them the freedom to explore their world, and learn to be creative, imaginative, critical thinkers who could apply what they knew, and expand on it to solve problems and create something new. They always had many opportunities to freely create, and express themselves; to make a mess, and explore an abundance of subjects and materials, because that creative process was teaching them more than how to memorize an answer to do well on a test. It was teaching them to think outside the box; to be successful; to embrace who they were, and it empowered them to express themselves more boldly and confidently.

After graduating from Carroll College with a bachelor's degree in English and Art, my husband and I raised our four children together in Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky, and then back in Colorado. I taught English and Art classes to all age groups in our Homeschool Co-ops for over 20 years. Currently, I volunteer in a Montessori program for preschoolers, and at Westernaires working with teenage girls. In our spare time, my husband and I enjoy cooking together, gardening, caring for our dogs, cats, ducks, and horses, visiting our grandchildren, spending time with our adult children, and watching our youngest son ride.

Claire McMonigle

Started at artSPARK January 2022

Studio Assistant + Lead Instructor

I am a 2021 high school graduate, passionate about art and attending Red Rocks Community College. I enjoy painting and upcycling clothes. I hope to explore more creative endeavors- I am grateful for this opportunity!

I believe it’s important for kids to have a safe, fun environment when creating. I am here to be kind and welcoming- I would love to be a part of this space where kids can thrive in. Children are so inspiring with their curiosity and authenticity. I appreciate how many creative outlets artSPARK provides and I am excited to learn more. 

Audrey Zako

Started at artSPARK April 2023

Studio Assistant + Lead in training

Creative outlets have always provided me with a place to escape and express myself. From an early age, I was typically found with a marker in hand and a project laying in front of me. I was lucky to have been surrounded by people who took the time to encourage my imagination and desire to create. The support that I was given left me with a passion to aid others in their unique journeys. I am excited and honored to be a part of artSpark where the collective mission is to help students show off who they are through their own confidence and artistic visions.

I graduated from Colorado Mesa University in 2022, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Art History and a Minor in Studio Art. While I am constantly looking for new techniques and processes to learn, my love of printmaking and oil painting make those my main areas of focus. I tend to create artworks that reflect the historical side of my studies, while embracing the celestial and fantastical elements of my imagination.

Elle Boettner

Started at artSPARK June 2023

Studio Assistant

Art has been my passion and outlet for me as long as I can remember. I am thrilled to have found a company and community of fellow artists.

I am currently a sophomore at Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design pursuing my Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts. I am fascinated by all things relating to art, from the historical context of art to contemporary visual culture. I favor medias such as charcoal, graphite, ink, and ceramics. As a student myself, I know just how much the creative process can be full of twists and turns.

I am looking forward to the opportunity to share my knowledge of materials and creative methods with your young artists. 

Alina Walker

Started at artSPARK October 2020

Lead Instructor

My love for art began with a computer and Microsoft Paint. I took my first graphic design class in high school and immediately fell in love. I graduated from Fresno Pacific University (FPU) in 2018 with a degree in Art with a Graphic Design Emphasis. Growing up, I was never great at drawing, and I thought some people were just good at art and others weren’t. My studio art classes at FPU taught me that EVERYONE can create. That sparked in me the desire to share my experience and encourage others who think that they are not creative. I enjoy drawing with pencils and charcoal, making illustrations on my iPad, and using calligraphy brush pens to write out quotes. To continue my love for graphic design, I have my own business where I create and sell cards, stickers, and art prints.

I’m so glad to have found artSPARK. The minute I walked in, I felt like a kid in awe of how many creative possibilities there were. I love sharing art with others, and I love that I get to encourage young artists here at artSPARK.

Nora McGovern

Started at artSPARK September 2023

Studio Assistant

Art and creativity have been part of my life since I was a kid. I enjoy fiddling with different media and textures while also learning about techniques and hearing stories of other’s artwork.

This creativity and appreciation for art has carried me through a high school photography class and into my adult life; where I graduated from college with an Interdisciplinary Studies Degree focusing on Elementary Education.

After college I taught Pre-K then continued my education with a Master’s Degree in Special Ed. I’ve taught different grade levels in schools throughout Denver and am thrilled to join the team at artSPARK!

Taylor Heinke

Started at artSPARK November 2023

Studio Assistant

Art has always been a passion for me. From a very young age, I was always wanting to create art. It has always been such a great escape and outlet for me and is a very important aspect of my life and who I am. Finding artSPARK has been such a blessing to me, to be a part of a community and environment that is so dedicated to the creative freedom, safety, personal expression, and love of art and being able to not only share that with kids and everyone who comes in, but see a passion for art in kids and others is a truly amazing experience and feeling. I love to draw and paint both watercolor and acrylic and base most of my art off of my inspiration from nature.  

I graduated from South Dakota State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, Sociology, and Human Developmental Family Studies, and am currently working with foster children in our community! I enjoy working with kids and being able to watch them unlock their endless creativity and imagination, it is such an inspiring feeling!

Gina Barry

Started at artSPARK January 2024

Studio Assistant

I am so excited to join the artSpark team. I went to college intending to become an art teacher, but instead followed the graphic design path and earned a Bachelor of Fine Art in Graphic Design from Western Colorado Univerity. My career path has many flips and turns and now I’m working from home in HealthCare information technology.

But art is always close. I make art in the space between the day job, raising my 16 year old daughter and walking my 3 year old dog Luna. I am honored to sell some of my art at a gallery in Breckenridge. I believe that art thrives in a community and love the self directed philosophy of artSPARK. And did you see the impressive collection of ART supplies? I admire the organization here. I can’t wait to see where creativity happens in each class.

Mada Miller

Started at artSPARK March 2024

Studio Assistant

Bio coming soon…