<div class="fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-46 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column" style="--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;"> Jason has 30 plus years of illustration and design experience. From story boarding, Magazine illustration, T shirt design, comic strips and comic books, and caricatures. He has also been teaching illustration and cartooning for the last 15 years. Art has always been in his life, and he loves to help people find and explore their artistic side. His goal is to keep art fun and exciting for his students.

About - Arts For all Nevada

arts for all nevada

Arts for All Nevada is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in Reno, seeking to integrate the exploration of arts and culture into the lives of all, starting with our own community. We offer a variety of quality fine art classes to the public, implement art programs in the school systems, and steward the historic Lake Mansion responsibly as a community center for exploration of arts and culture. While our emphasis is on those who have a disability, are disadvantaged, at-risk, or underserved by the arts, we recognize that every individual in our community has a role to play in the arts. People of all ages, skill levels, backgrounds, and experience can find their place at Arts for All Nevada, as our classes and programs focus on a variety of different art movements and media including visual art, creative movement, drama, and literary expression. We envision a world unified by the arts, where communities engage, create, and grow together.

SUPPORT US

OUR VALUES

ACCESSIBILITY

The freedom to make and appreciate art, regardless of age, ability, or circumstance, should be given to all. Arts for All Nevada prioritizes making art accessible to anyone, no matter what obstacles they might face.

EXPRESSION

Artists should have the freedom to express themselves authentically through imagination, creation, and exhibition. Art has the power to give everyone a voice, a means of self-expression, and the power to grow themselves and the world around them.

Empowerment

The arts can give individuals the opportunity to grow their skills, self-esteem, and creativity – a chance to focus on ability rather than disability. Not only do we value acceptance here at Arts for All Nevada, but we take it a step further and intentionally encourage those involved in our programs.

DIVERSITY

We understand that a complete appreciation of the arts requires a complete appreciation of diversity in histories, cultures, and experiences. Arts for All Nevada seeks diversity in our staff, board, art educators and students alike, recognizing that our art forms, expressions, and artistic interpretations are stronger when we acknowledge many perspectives.

OUR VALUES

ACCESSIBILITY

EXPRESSION

Empowerment

DIVERSITY

OUR VALUES

ACCESSIBILITY

EXPRESSION

Empowerment

DIVERSITY

HISTORY

Arts for All Nevada was founded in 1986 under the name of Very Special Arts Nevada. Our goal was to coordinate with the community’s art organizations to produce art festivals that involved day-long artistic activities, hands-on art experiences, and live performances. Over the years, our involvement with the community grew, and our mission expanded into preserving the historic Lake Mansion as a community center for the exploration of arts and culture. In 2015 we renamed ourselves Arts for All Nevada to better represent our core mission, and we now facilitate the integration of art and culture into the lives of all people in Nevada by offering a variety of quality fine art classes to the public, and implementing art programs into the school systems.

vision

We envision a world unified by the arts, where communities engage, create, and grow together.

We envision a world unified by the arts. Participation and appreciation of the arts would be encouraged in every community, and art would be prioritized in every individual’s daily experience and education.
Quality art learning experiences that are specifically designed for students with disabilities would be just as accessible as art learning experiences designed for those without disabilities.
Every art educator would be prepared and equipped to not only include students who have disabilities in their instruction, but to serve them well through specialized curriculum.
Accessibility gaps in the arts would be completely bridged. Thoughtful and effective art curriculums and programs would be available, funded, and initiated in every school district in every community, reaching those of all ability levels and income levels.

OUR PROGRAMS

People of all ages, skill levels, backgrounds, and experience can find their place at Arts for All Nevada, as our classes and programs focus on a variety of different art movements and media including visual art, creative movement, drama, and literary expression.
See our list of programs offered below. Many of our programs are free of charge for the participant. For questions regarding programs, call 826-6100 ext. 3#, info@artsforallnevada.org

American Sign Language in the Arts
Artist in Residency
Art Adventures After-School Program
Art Classes for Youth and Adults
Family Arts and Cultural Festival Series
Renown Pediatrics Program
Artown’s Summer Arts Festival, Discover the Arts Series
Creativity Camps for Kids

Early Childhood Education
Holiday Party for Youth in Transition
Kononia Family Services
Lake Mansion Preservation
Lake Mansion Tours
Little Library
Lovelock Arts Festival
Arts Education in General Education Classrooms

Monday Art Makers
Renown Behavioral Services
Renown Rehabilitation Hospital
Scholarships
Sierra Nevada Journeys
Team Up/21st Century
Weekly Wonders/Leisure without Limits

LEARN MORE

VOLUNTEER

TEACHERS

Arts for All Nevada‘s Teaching Artists are professionals with expertise in one or more art disciplines. They are skilled in working with children, youth, adults and classroom teachers in both educational and recreational settings. They are familiar and comfortable working with various abilities and ages, and are experienced in adapting their instruction and techniques to reach all learners.

TEACHER APPLICATION

GET TO KNOW OUR TEACHERS

Desi Barrett

Read BioAgostina Renaud2021-12-08T11:37:52-08:00

Read Bio

Desi studied at Truckee Meadows Community College before moving on to Portland Community College and Portland State University. She has extensive experience teaching art at a variety of schools, art museums, and community arts organizations.

heather boni

Read BioKris Lamothe2022-02-25T10:00:37-08:00

Read Bio

Heather Boni has over 13 years of experience teaching, directing, and leading inclusive education workshops, arts integration strategies, and community engagement practices. As an accomplished Arts and STEAM Educator, Boni enjoys building “community” through arts, education, and sharing her love of learning. Boni was awarded a Masters of Fine Arts degree in Dance Choreography and Performance, with specialized studies in Community Arts Engagement at Florida State University. Boni earned her Bachelor of Science Degrees in Dance and Psychology from the University of Idaho. Currently, Boni serves as the Family Placement and Tutor Services Director at College Nannies + Sitters + Tutors | Reno. Previously, Boni served as the 21st Century Project Director for the United Cerebral Palsy of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida providing over 180 students (K-5) with and without disabilities with hands-on, engaging academic enrichment, personal wellness, and performing arts opportunities. Prior to this Boni worked as an Art Integration Specialist in Orlando, Florida and as a Kennedy Center Teaching Artist and Camp Broadway Lead with The Smith Center. Boni has collaborated with professional integrated dance companies (AXIS Dance Company), international multidisciplinary artists, and produced inclusive art events and festivals including IMMERSE Arts Festival in Orlando, Florida and the 1st Annual A New Definition of Dance in Tampa, Florida. Boni continues to provide professional development workshops and inclusive arts programming and serves as an active member in the Reno community as a Teaching Artist for Arts for All Nevada, a volunteer at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, Remote Teaching Artist for The Smith Center of the Performing Arts in Las Vegas, Service Chairman Board Member for KAO Alumnae Group, DAR Member, Mayflower Society Committee Member, and other volunteer endeavors.

lorna denton

Read BioAgostina Renaud2021-12-08T11:38:48-08:00

Read Bio

Lorna has taught art for over 16 years in the USA and in England. She has worked with Arts for All Nevada since 2001 teaching all ages. In the UK, she ran a school’s Art Department, teaching 11- 16-year-old students a varied arts curriculum. Lorna strongly believes that the arts are an essential part of an individual’s development encouraging self-expression, confidence, and a sense of personal achievement. Lorna completed a Textiles Degree at West Surrey College of Art & Design in the UK, followed by a teaching certificate. She has continued her studies mainly focusing on photography and printmaking.

karen hayes

Read BioAgostina Renaud2021-12-08T11:39:26-08:00

Read Bio

Karen earned an Advanced Placement Art Scholarship and received her B.A. and M.A. in the metropolitan Los Angeles area. She taught K12 through University-level Fine Arts classes. She enjoys recreational painting instruction, creating custom graphics, and especially unique projects like Trompe L’oeil murals.

cheryl johnson

Read BioKris Lamothe2023-04-06T13:58:47-07:00

Read Bio

*I have a BA degree in Biology and Physical Ed. from Univ of Nevada

* MA degree in Elementary Education from the Univ of Nevada

* I am a consultant for the Northern Nevada Writing Project

* I am a National Board Certified Teacher

* I have been teaching in WCSD for over 35 years

* I enjoy exploring and using a variety of art mediums personally and also with my students

* My goal is to engage students of all ages in projects that are stimulating, educational, inspiring, self-satisfying, and joyful to them

* I enjoy exploring the Nevada outdoors in all seasons with skis, bikes, or hiking boots, growing flowers, singing barbershop, playing musical instruments, traveling, and always looking for new art inspirations.

alejandro marin-sarria

Read BioKris Lamothe2023-04-06T13:49:02-07:00

Read Bio

Alejandro was born in Colombia in the city of Cali (the salsa capital of Colombia). From a young age Alejandro showed interest in drawing and his parents encouraged him to read books and learn from them. As a young man he decided to pursue a Business and Marketing degree, but art was always a passion of his. His main interest has always been the human figure and portrait. Representing human traits and expressions through drawing is a challenge he’s always ready to take on with passion. Mainly a self taught artist, Alejandro is willing to share his passion about art and will, perhaps, also be willing to teach you Spanish and how to dance salsa music. Cheers!

galina milton

Read BioKris Lamothe2023-03-30T13:05:40-07:00

Read Bio

I have painted for the last 25 years, teaching privately and in college for the last seven years. The blank canvas makes me believe I can create the world I dream of after finishing the painting. I try to encourage my students to think the same. I was born in Lugansk, Ukraine, at the time of the Soviet Union in its prime. I had no formal Art education in Ukraine. Russian Art History was part of my education in History at the University of Ukraine. I grew up in an artist’s family, my grandfather was a good sculptor, but I did not get to provincial art until I was older. I began the study of visual art at the Academy of Art University in the fall of 2004, for my Master’s degree. In the summer of 2006, I went to Russia, to the most famous Academy of Art, by Repin, in Saint Petersburg. I studied with Ivan Vituk and Konstantin Grachev in Saint Petersburg. The possibility to see the work of many Masters in the Academy’s Museum and studying with young and talented Russian teachers improved my ideas about art. I graduated with a Master’s in Fine Art from the Academy of Art, San Francisco. The subject of my work is people. Most of my paintings are done from life. At the present time, the style of my work is a mix of impressionism and realism. Maybe my approach to painting will change in a couple of days or a couple of years, but the major principles of painting: drawing, composition, values, temperature, light in color, and edges would go with my brush.

vivian olds

Read BioAgostina Renaud2021-12-08T11:10:28-08:00

Read Bio

Vivian has a BA in Theater and a Masters in Arts in Education and holds a NV Teaching Credential. Vivian is an advocate for the arts, incorporating the arts into all curricular activities. She loves bringing painting, poetry, and storytelling into the classroom inspiring a students’ creative spirit. She was a runner-up two years in a row for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math & Science, NV Social Studies Teacher of the Year, and a Fulbright recipient, which allowed her to travel to Japan to study the education system. She is the owner of a gallery, Desert Light Arts, which is housed in a yurt in Wadsworth, NV.

sophie ralston

Read BioKris Lamothe2023-04-06T10:08:47-07:00

Read Bio

Sophie Ralston is a visual artist and musician/singer-songwriter inspired by human quirks, nature, and all things whimsical. Born and raised in Reno, Nevada, Ralston spent many free-time hours of her youth drawing and was awarded the Muriel Goodwin Corbett Art Scholarship. After obtaining a B.A. in Anthropology with a minor in Art from UNR, she self-released two original music CDs and performed in the U.S., Canada, England, and Australia. Current mediums of interest include upcycled plastic, watercolor, and photography.

ROBIN ROBINSON

Read BioAgostina Renaud2021-12-08T11:40:16-08:00

Read Bio

Robin has been a Teaching Artist as well as a Performing Artist for thirty years. After studying Art and Dance at the University of Nevada, Reno, she performed extensively with several modern and folk-dance companies throughout Nevada and California. She has taught many therapeutic movement courses for diverse populations and has been an AFAA certified fitness professional. Robin combines both visual arts activities with creative movement and music in her lessons, adding to her flexibility.

Skye Snyder

Read BioKris Lamothe2022-01-31T10:39:11-08:00

Read Bio

For the past two decades, Skye has put her BA in Art History and Masters in Education to use as a K-12 Art Educator and as a commercial and fine art photographer. She has coached many students of all ages in ways to expand their creativity and visual communication skills through painting, drawing, photography, and jewelry design. She loves cooking, gardening, and traveling with her family. The desertscapes of Nevada and Baja, Mexico often find their way into Skye’s conceptual designs and photographs. In 2021, Skye began to exhibit her works globally in Australia, Greece, India, and the United States.

alison tomei

Read BioKris Lamothe2022-02-23T11:21:29-08:00

Read Bio

Alison Tomei is an intuitive artist, Certified Creatively Fit Coach, and Spiritual Practitioner. She received her Spiritual Life Coaching certification through Emerson Theological Association in 2018. Her background in healing arts includes 20 years experience as a massage therapist and energy healer as well as shamanic practitioner training.

Alison is a natural teacher and her empathic nature and sensitivity make her an effective coach and therapist. Alison believes that creativity is a powerful tool that can be used for connection, stress reduction, problem solving and personal evolution as well as healing trauma and assisting in times of transition.She has developed a creative life coaching program combining the power of art making with life coaching for emotional wellness, strengthening intuition, expansion of possibility thinking and to discover our unique gifts and potential for a purposeful life.

MARK TYLER

Read BioAgostina Renaud2021-12-08T11:41:02-08:00

Read Bio

Art has always been an important interest to Mark and has been an active part of his life. Mark took classes in high school, college, and as an adult. His main focus is watercolor, but he has worked with several other mediums. Mark’s career in teaching has given him a good background and knowledge that the arts are important to children’s development. He believes our students need to be given other means of expressing themselves; art is certainly a good way, as well as a legitimate excuse for messiness.

jason williams

Read BioKris Lamothe2023-04-12T12:48:05-07:00

Read Bio

Jason has 30 plus years of illustration and design experience. From story boarding, Magazine
illustration, T shirt design, comic strips and comic books, and caricatures. He has also been
teaching illustration and cartooning for the last 15 years. Art has always been in his life, and he loves to
help people find and explore their artistic side. His goal is to keep art fun and exciting for his students.