Instructors
Our Regular Instructors
Cait Ides
Cait is an experienced art educator with a background in sociology and art history. She has been teaching art since 2013 and is passionate about helping students explore creativity in meaningful ways. Cait brings elements of both Reggio Emilia and Montessori philosophies into her teaching relationship.
Cait’s educational philosophy focuses on fostering curiosity, self-expression, and hands-on learning in an inclusive environment that encourages artistic confidence. She believes that art is a tool for both personal growth and connecting with the world around us.
Emily Luchetta
Emily grew up on the Central Coast, with a lifelong passion for art. She spent her childhood exploring art through drawing, painting, and collage, as well as a love of the fiber arts instilled in her by her grandmother, and her intrinsic curious nature.
Emily has enjoyed working as an educator with children for the past 10 years. Her experience in Waldorf education further supported Emily's connection to the nurturing and developmentally meaningful roll of artistic endeavors. She is passionate about creating for the sake of the process, not the product, and hopes to instill a love of creating for the sake of creating in her community and class culture!
Barbara Abbott
Barbara has an MFA in costume design for theatre along with 18 years’ experience in that field. From pattern making, to historical corsetry, millinery to magical teacups, Barbara has a broad range of experience in the costume shop.
In recent years, she has discovered a love of visible mending and hand sewing as a means of making art, creatively maintaining clothing items she loves, and slowing down in a busy world. Barbara loves sharing her knowledge, skill, and love for the craft blending patience, good humor, and the mantra that mistakes give us opportunities for creative solutions.
Suzette Morrow
Suzette Morrow has both a Bachelor's and a Master's in Fine Art. She has enjoyed teaching art for 34 years in both a public school setting and through private instruction.
Suzette is certified in Creative Journal and Expressive Arts. She enjoys teaching people how to use art to improve their mental health. Suzette lives in Cambria where she works as a full time artist.
D'Arcy Castro
D'Arcy has a lifelong relationship with art and expression. Finding solace in creating, it was through teaching students that D'Arcy discovered the depth of joy that comes through sharing in and encouraging the exploration of artistic creativity in others.
D'Arcy is passionate about using beautiful materials, introducing different mediums to students, and (most importantly) enjoying the process! D'Arcy draws upon notes from both Montessori and Waldorf methods as scaffolding for her instructional inspiration.
Our Guest Instructors
Ron Pippin
Ron is a San Luis Obispo–based commercial artist, event producer, creative guide, and lifelong learner working across mediums. In his 25th year as Shiny Object, Ron hosts virtual and in-person workshops and pop-up cultural events. He’s also co-parenting two teens and playing all-vinyl DJ sets across SLO County.
Ron works a one-to-one guide and group lead helping others find inspiration in their own lives. See Ron's work at shinyobjectstudios.com
Camilla Auchterlounie
Camilla is a multi-faceted glass artist living and creating on the Central Coast. She runs a teaching studio in San Luis Obispo, where she guides others in the hands-on process of working with glass through different class formats. Camilla's glass art blends playful and modern design; she takes on custom commissions for both homes and public spaces.
When she is not in her studio, sharing her love for freedom and expression through design, you can find her showcasing her locally made art at various maker markets and craft events. You can learn more about Camilla and her work on her website: https://througheyesofglass.com
McKenna Lenhart
McKenna grew up just outside of Denver, Colorado, and has called California’s Central Coast home for the past decade. She earned her B.S. in Environmental Science with a minor in Fine Arts from California Lutheran University, blending her love of the natural world with her creative practice.
Her work spans a wide range of mediums—from painting, printmaking, and graphic design to cob building and landscape design. McKenna serves as a Director of a garden-based education nonprofit, One Cool Earth, and also runs her small art business, Juniper Blue. She is excited to share her passion for art - encouraging students to explore, play, and find their own creative voice.