Meet Our Teaching Artists
Every day CCE Teaching Artists are in classrooms fulfilling our mission of “Transforming teaching and learning through creativity and the arts...”
CCE teams with local, professional Teaching Artists to implement its programming at The Foundations School and in schools and afterschool sites throughout Palm Beach County. Our dedicated, talented artists work in classrooms from West Palm to Belle Glade and from Boca Raton to Jupiter.
Our Teaching Artists are partners to the educators we collaborate with and mentors and role models to the students we serve. Their mission is to help children gain a new perspective and develop skills by exploring their own creativity in a variety of artistic media.
CCE Teaching Artists have extensive expertise in their respective fields and are developed and monitored by our staff to ensure quality teaching standards. Their skills range from theater to puppetry, dance, cartooning, painting, music, video production and so much more!
LISTEN TO ONE OF OUR TEACHING ARTISTS
Featuring Mr. Steve
Teaching Artist
Jessica Agustin
Originally from Guatemala city, Guatemala, Jessica moved to Florida in 2012 and earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts at Florida Atlantic University in 2020. Here she gained experience with art mediums such as Photography, Oil painting, Mixed media, and pastels. In 2022, Jessica worked with elementary school aged children as an Afterschool Counselor at FAU Pine Jog Elementary Afterschool Program and later on acquired an internship position at the Norton Museum of Art as a teacher Intern. She enjoys teaching children skills they can use to communicate their ideas and create memorable artworks.
Teaching Artist
Marie Bobb
Marie Bobb is a multimedia artist specializing in theatre arts, dance, film, photography, and both recording and visual arts. Born and raised in South Florida, she later studied TV/Film with a minor in Theatre Arts at Howard University in Washington, D.C. After college, she worked as a production designer and wardrobe stylist on short film sets, developing a deep appreciation for visual storytelling. Her passion for the creative process led her to the Boys & Girls Club, where she teaches and mentors young artists as a creative enhancement instructor. Blending fashion, film, and theatre, Marie is building a multifaceted career at the intersection of visual storytelling, creative education, and production design. Whether behind the camera, shaping narratives through costume and set design, or inspiring the next generation, she is committed to creating impactful, culturally resonant work.
Teaching Artist
Steve Brouse
A CCE Teaching Artist since 2005, Steve brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the classroom. His educational background includes a B.A. in Art Education from Buffalo State College in Buffalo, NY, as well as a Graphic Design Degree from the Community College of Finger Lakes. His expertise in the visual arts spans across various mediums such as oil and acrylic painting, illustration, muralism, and printmaking. Steve enjoys teaching and sharing his love of the arts with students.
Teaching Artist
Cecelia Daratany
Cece Daratany is an actress, costume designer, radio announcer, arts administrator, and educator whose multi-faceted career has taken her from Florida to Georgia, New York, New Jersey and back again. She has worked with several local theatre companies, including Florida Stage, BRITT, Palm Beach Dramaworks, and The Kravis Center. She earned her B.F.A. degree in Theatre from Florida State University and, more recently, teacher certification from Palm Beach State College, becoming a drama teacher in 2013. She has been a CCE teaching artist since 2021.
Teaching Artist
Kori Epps
Kori Epps holds a Master of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of Wisconsin and Bachelors of Arts in Dance and Communication from Palm Beach Atlantic University. She performed as a dancer in the Demetrius Klein Dance Company - Palm Beach County’s first modern dance company - for over fifteen years, also serving as Associate Artistic Director and Marketing Maven. She specializes in creative dance, along with dance integration - using movement and dance to teach academic concepts. Since 2010 she has taught in Palm Beach Public Elementary Schools and preschools. Kori attributes her creativity to growing up internationally (Brazil, the Caribbean, and Canada), thus experiencing various forms of education, and being influenced by artistic DIYers, two of which were her parents.
Teaching Artist
Niki Fridh
Niki Fridh is a professional actor, arts educator, and culinary aficionado originally from Chicago, Illinois but who has lived in South Florida for most of her life. What began at a very young age as multifaceted performances for her friends and family, turned into a lifelong passion for the performing arts. Niki is a graduate from FAU and an award-winning actor who has graced stages across the state of Florida and is a proud member of Actor’s Equity Association. Niki has 20 years of experience as a teaching artist at institutions in the south florida community; Gulf Stream School, The Kravis Center’s Annual Arts Camp, DeGeorge Academy, Boynton Beach School of Dance, Music & Drama, Arts Garage, Fantasy Theatre Factory, Blue Planet Writer’s Room and The Cultural Council of Palm Beach County.
Teaching Artist
Gabby Gomez
Gabby is a passionate and dedicated teaching artist who joined CCE in 2022. Originally from Bogota, Colombia, she moved to Florida at the age of 10. Gabby earned an associate degree in Fine Arts from Palm Beach State College and is currently pursuing a degree in Architecture at Florida State University. Gabby's teaching experience includes positions at the Norton Museum of Art and various non-profit organizations, such as the Children's Services Council. She firmly believes in prioritizing the creative process and experience over the final product, and she provides each student with the necessary guidance to help them develop their unique artistic abilities. Gabby plans to use her skills in architecture to build non-profit organizations or even start one of her own in the future.
Teaching Artist
Gaynelle Gosselin
Gaynelle Gosselin is a movement specialist with a keen interest in how mind and body interact in communication. She co-founded See Change Dance, a group dedicated to creative process and dance improvisation. The group builds improvisation scores for performance, creates community based activist dance performances, and hosts meet ups for anyone who wishes to explore the creative impulse through dance improvisation. In addition to her work with CCE, Ms. Gosselin teaches in both the Theatre and Dance Departments at Palm Beach Atlantic University. She was a teaching artist for the School District of Palm Beach County from 2009-2014. Gaynelle is a certified teaching member of Alexander Technique International (ATI). Since 2006, she has been using ATI to help performing artists, aspiring artists, educators, and others learn to maximize presence, minimize performance anxiety, and enhance creativity and presentation skills. She has a MFA in Theatre and has performed with companies throughout South Florida like Demetrius Klein Dance Company, Palm Beach County’s oldest modern dance company.
Teaching Artist
Buckley Griffis
Nature has always been the greatest inspiration and teacher for Buckley, whose musical sensibility is a result of years of extensive world travel and immersion in various cultures. He has provided programs and played in a diverse range of venues, including schools, art centers, hospitals, nursing homes, juvenile detention centers, churches, temples, healing centers, festivals, private parties, and concert venues for almost 50 years, showcasing his expertise in playing drums and percussion instruments.
Teaching Artist
Jennifer Hemstreet
Jennifer Hemstreet is a multidisciplinary artist and dedicated educator with a BA in Fine Art from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University. With four years of experience teaching middle and high school art, she has instructed advanced placement courses in illustration, 2D and 3D design as well as courses in art history, costume, set, and prop design. In addition, Jen has spent the past two years teaching adults at the Armory Art Center, offering instruction in still life drawing, color theory, woodblock printmaking, resin art, and ceramics. Passionate about fostering creativity in all learners, Jennifer excels in working with students with ADD, anxiety, autism, and other learning or behavioral needs. Beyond the classroom, she is an accomplished artist who actively showcases and sells her work at local art fairs.
Teaching Artist
Taylor Komara
Taylor Komara studied studio art at Florida School of the arts and is a professional muralist of 15 years working in a broad range of projects for county and private commissions. She is a contemporary modern artist with a cubism influence, working with mediums such as acrylic, oil, and spray paint. Taylor's work is influenced by artists such as Milton Avery, Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso. Having deep affinity for the art of color, she utilizes chromatic invention along with high contrast and vibrant hues to provoke beauty and wonder to her works. Although relatively new to the teaching program, she has embraced the role of a teaching artist since September 2024. As Komara navigates her early artistic career, she is supported by a community of local collectors, fostering her exploration and development of a unique style. Her contemporary modern approach showcases intriguing subjects rendered with organic, rhythmic brushstrokes that possess a certain kink or skew, adding depth to her work. The pastel yet luminous palette she employs captivates viewers, conveying a true authenticity. As a mother and artist, she brings her life and artistic skills to new meaning and strives to inspire wonder and share the beauty of color with the students at CCE.
Teaching Artist
Lisa Lohman
Lisa has been a Teaching Artist with CCE since 2022. Her certificates include a B.A. in Elementary Education and Fine Arts, and an M.A. in Reading Education as a Reading Specialist from Kean University in New Jersey. As an experienced teacher, Lisa has taught Grades K-8 as both a classroom teacher and a Reading Specialist. Her areas of expertise include acrylic painting, mural painting, and group paint parties for adults and children. Lisa enjoys her time spent with students as a Teaching Artist, and strongly supports CCE's philosophy where students can explore their creativity while making a meaningful connection to subject areas.
Teaching Artist
Jose Mendez
Jose R. Mendez is a self-taught artist, educator, gallery coordinator, curator, and co-founder of Day of the Dead Lake Worth Beach & Taco Fiesta. Jose works with nonprofits, government agencies, and private organizations to coordinate, collaborate, and promote art, cultural events, and activities. The leading cultural institutions Jose works with are the Norton Museum of Art, Cultural Council for Palm Beach County, Children’s Service Council of Palm Beach County, Arts 4 All Florida, Village of Palm Springs, Kravis Center, City of Lake Worth Beach and LULA Lake Worth Arts, among others. He works various roles with these organizations, primarily as a facilitator, adviser, and teaching artist to children and adults. Jose is the lead photographer for events, family, and landscape photography. Exposure to various art forms and extensive experience as a community liaison for 20 years has given Jose the opportunity to work with less accessible communities while making him successful in the communities he serves. Jose has been a guest speaker for Palm Beach State College due to his experience researching the traditional Mexican holiday, Day of the Dead. Day of the Dead Lake Worth Beach welcomed over 5000 attendees in 2023, Taco Fiesta 2024 welcomed over 4000 attendees in its inaugural year and the festivals continue to grow yearly. Jose is the gallery coordinator for the gallery Hatch 1121. He Assists in organizing, coordinating, and overseeing the daily operations and exhibits of Hatch 1121; provide clerical and administrative support to the Marketing Program Manager; works with artists, staff, and students to implement and promote art exhibits and opening events; installs and uninstalls artwork; oversees the storage and display of Hatch 1121. Working at Hatch 1121 has expanded his artist network. Working in all these organizations has inspired Jose to open his own afterschool art program by 2027 and by the age of 55 to open a South Florida museum highlighting the Hispanic subcultures of the tri-counties.
Teaching Artist
Samantha Mensching
Samantha Mensching was born and raised in New York City, immersed in its vibrant arts culture. She began studying art at an early age, and after moving to West Palm Beach, Florida, majored in visual art at Dreyfoos School of the Arts. Samantha earned her BA in Art History from Florida State University, where she also studied Education and spent time in Florence, Italy, learning the techniques of the masters. She has held several roles in art education, including positions at the Norton Museum of Art and the Armory Art Center. With a passion for teaching and inspiring a love of art in others, she is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Art Education at FSU.
Teaching Artist
Madelyn Perara
Madelyn Perera is an energetic, creative artist who focuses on mental wellness. She graduated with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Studio Art from Florida State University. Madelyn’s background is rooted in connecting art with the mind. She has years of experience serving children with varying levels of neurodiversity and socioeconomic backgrounds in therapy settings. Madelyn teaches about connecting with yourself, expressing how you feel, and moving through the different waves of life. She connects these concepts at developmentally appropriate rates that honor our students' pacing in development. Outside of teaching, Madelyn is pursuing her Master of Arts degree in Art Therapy through Antioch University.
Teaching Artist
Cher Wilson
Cher Couvillion Wilson is a Visual Artist & Singer Songwriter from Louisiana. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Art Education, with a French Minor from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Also certified in English Language Arts, Ms. Wilson began teaching Art 30 years ago & has shared her knowledge of Fine Arts & Writing with students of all ages throughout her career. Cher has also built & brought about Art & Writing Clubs & student exhibits in many Louisiana schools, & has begun, & led writing & illustrated publications of student work in several high schools there. She is a painter & draws with pencil, & pen & ink, preferring portraits. Cher's Blues Folk duo The Hoochie Digs, has been writing & performing original music across Louisiana & Florida for the last 11 years, & can be found on all streaming platforms. She has been a Substitute Teacher at CCE since 2022, & is happy to join the team of Teaching Artists.