Our Instructors
Deb Martz Moody has a degree in art education from Oregon State University and brings with her a love of art and children. She is known locally for creating The State of the Arts Gallery in downtown Olympia, which she ran for 25 years before selling in 2016. Before this she was the Artist in Education Manager for the Washington State Arts Commission. Her background also includes teaching art to K-12 and a Survey of Visual Arts college course. Her own art is mixed media with encaustic (beeswax with resin) and can be seen here.
Lauré Smith received her BFA degree in Illustration at Parsons School of Design in New York City. She later returned to the beautiful Pacific Northwest to attend the Art Institute of Seattle earning an AA degree in Visual Communications. As a student in elementary school, she was chosen for an "Enrichment Art Program" where she was exposed to a more in-depth art education at a young age. She believes strongly in the necessity of art in elementary school and understands a lack of art education for kids is a missed opportunity. To fulfill this need, Lauré spent nine years as an "Art Start" teacher at Christa McAuliffe Elementary where her children attended. It was in that role where she discovered how much of a joy and privilege it is to be able to teach, share the art process and encourage her students. Seeing her students become excited about the lessons and thrilled with their own unique creation is a big part of her love for teaching art to children.
Although she enjoys drawing the human form, especially faces, her passion is drawing animals (Lauré has Australian Shepherds who she trains and competes in dog agility with). From t-shirt design and signage, to murals and logo design, she loves the creative process and is thrilled to be part of AFKS!
Tonie Knutz lives in Chehalis, WA, and is a 10-year three-dimensional sculpture artist creating and drawing nature and animals. Her experience in classroom instructing has spanned over five years, utilizing a skillful artist's eye, she shares how to detail and design ideas and patiently adjusts to the student's learning capabilities. Her classes vary from one-on-one to larger groups from K-12 to seniors, she is always open to anyone who desires to learn and enjoys seeing unique creativity at work.
As a professional, she has expanded her mixed media to include beautiful cement relief sculpting, metalsmithing, and intricate glass etching. Her best works are helping others learn the depths of perspective in drawing, painting, pastels, metals, and jewelry.
An accomplished artist with art in several Washington State galleries. She was juried into the prestigious Bremerton CVG gallery show in 2016-17. She has taught art in an alternative High School, YMCA visual art, volunteered with local art organizations, Artrails, spring art show, and is currently the superintendent of the art department at Southwest Washington Fair. Visit https://tonieknutz.wixsite.com/fire-stoneboutique/ to see the artists’ work.
Sako Chapman is a graduate of the Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA. Originally located in the San Francisco Bay Area, Sako has a background in collaborative, community based art projects, illustration, and murals. Having spent his formative education years in an arts-centered institution, Sako understands how deeply developing creative skills impacts children and motivates their self-expression. He finds endless inspiration from making art with others and loves working with young students to grow their own craft!
Olivia Breneman was born and raised in Olympia and has a passion for inspiring others to create art. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Art History at Brigham Young University and developed a love for art through the ages. With experience in teaching art, Olivia hopes to show her students how powerful and fun art can be. She is also an artist skilled in digital illustration, gouache, watercolor, and clay sculpting. Olivia began her art business in 2022 and has been a vendor at several craft markets throughout the years. She loves connecting to the public through art and inspiring people to find comfort in creating. Her favorite subjects to paint are whimsical characters (both human and animal) and scenes that evoke a nostalgic, childlike warmth.
She is very excited to be a part of AFKS and can’t wait to meet you!
You can find her art on her Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/oliviabeestudio/profilecard/?igsh=MXJxOTNtZnZnOXp1aQ==