Meet The Teachers

Ms. Sophie

I grew up in the country surrounding Duluth, MN where my parents ran a pottery business, so I grew up around a lot of art and nature! I earned a B.F.A from the University of Minnesota in Art Education with a minor in Art History in 2008. I have over 15 years of experience teaching in Minnesota, Vietnam and Arizona. I currently hold a Arizona Art Teaching License for PreK-12, as well as a Pima County Fingerprint Card. My husband Colin and I have 3 rambunctious boys, and we enjoy traveling, camping, swimming, biking, wrestling (the boys do) and going to the park.

I decided to open an art school because there is a need for art education in Sahuarita at the elementary age. I really enjoy sharing my passion for art with kiddos and enjoy seeing them develop their love for art too!

Mr. John

My name is John Peterson, or Mr. John. I grew up in northern New Mexico, but have lived in Arizona since 2010. Art has been my passion for as long as I can remember. I especially enjoy making cartoons, working with clay, doing graphic design, and making abstract and impressionist paintings. I love to read, and I sing and listen to music almost constantly. I like to learn new things and share what I know. When I’m not doing art, I spend most of my time with my wife and 2 daughters and cat.

I received my BA in Art Education in 2016 from the University of Arizona, along with teaching certification for K-12th grade. Before going into teaching I spent several years as a Graphic Design major, eventually moving into Fine Art and finally Art Education. For the last several years I have worked as a professional artist.

Ms. Kate

I hold a degree in Studio Art from the U of A and a teacher certificate from the AZ Dept of Ed. I have over 15 years of experience teaching art to children, teens, and adults. I currently work as the Visual Art teacher for Holladay Fine Art magnet school in Tucson, where I teach art to students and teach classroom teachers how to integrate art into their curriculum.

Ms. Donna Beth

I am a mom of 2, wife, and am always looking to create something myself instead of buying it. I love to craft in many forms, am a co-blogger on littlekatybugs.com, and have an active family. I also teach Crafting and Lego Engineering classes through Arizona Learning Communities in Green Valley. Art is subjective and so is crafting. My goal is to inspire you to create yourself and make things that you will LOVE! Sometimes we just need inspiration and camaraderie to help us get started. I hope we can help provide those things for you.