Category: Teaching Artists

Faculty Spotlight: Pearl Mei Lam

Posted on Friday, August 29th, 2025 at 1:35 pm
Written by Arts Corps

Headshot of Pearl Mei Lam, an Asian American woman in her 20s, with shoulder-lenght hair, smiling at the camera.

We’re excited to welcome Pearl Mei Lam is one of Arts Corps’ new teaching artists for the 2025-2026 school year.

Pearl, you’re such an active artist! You perform for stage and screen, write, and are a filmmaker. What made you want to become a storyteller?

I watched A LOT of TV. My childhood was filled with Hong Kong TVB soaps and YouTube sketch comedy titans like smosh and nigahiga. My entire high school experience was spent binge watching shows and obsessively giffing them on my multiple Tumblr fandom pages. One of these shows, Orphan Black, was actually the reason I began acting. Seeing Tatiana Maslany effortlessly play so many roles inspired me to take up Drama 101 in 11th grade, and I’ve been acting ever since. 

It all boils down to being fully and utterly immersed in stories — being so surrounded by them that I couldn’t stand just consuming them any more and had to create for myself. Absorbing art is how I still stay inspired these days. Watching new films, shows, plays, as well as reading new books, listening to new music — all of that keeps me feeling open and excited to create!

Much of your work lives in comedy and satire, but has social and philosophical ruminations and a deep heart. What is it that attracts you to these genres?

Heart and humor go hand in hand. There is always sincerity in the face of absurdity. In crazy comedies, characters don’t know they’re in absolutely bonkers situations but they do everything in their power to handle the circumstances truthfully. And that’s what I think makes comedy, especially absurd comedy, so compelling — it’s both a tool to disarm and a vessel for truth. 

I was also a film major (and if you think that sounds pretentious — you’re 100% correct). We spent a lot of time reading critical theories while studying films, which is why I often use philosophical texts as a springboard for my work. Film as a medium feels so tangible to me; it’s an image that can be coaxed, manipulated, and packaged into meaning. I love thinking about them as visual texts or essays!

During your in-person interview, you led us through some theatre exercises, and we were all a little nervous despite the fact two of our staff are also theatre people! It was silly, but also many of our students who are growing up in the midst of social media are scared of performing, because they’re scared of being judged. What are some of your tools to deal with nervousness both in yourself as a performer, and in others as a teaching artist?

Everyone CRUSHED it! But I also completely understand this fear of being judged — it’s something I feel all the time.

Fear is just attention in the wrong place. As a performer, I’ve learned to redirect my focus from “what if I look stupid?” to “what am I getting from my scene partner?” and that always drops me into the work. I’ve also found that getting into my body helps ground me, such as breathing exercises prior to performances or big physical choices that get me out of my head.

As a teaching artist, these are tips and skills I implement into lessons in the form of low stakes, silly games that get students in their bodies. This is a great way to practice learning to be present in the moment and listening to your impulses — and before you know it, you’ll be thinking less about nerves. I’ll also always lead by example and be the first to jump in to demonstrate that there isn’t a right or wrong answer. It’s just about doing!

As you start your journey with Arts Corps, what are you most looking forward to?

I’m so excited to be working with young artists in the making, whether they go on to pursue it professionally or not. I believe that artistry lives in every single person — it’s a state of being. And youth, especially, have an easier time accessing this instinctual, creative state than adults. I’m constantly looking for ways to practice tapping into this open river of inspiration, and I’m really looking forward to being in space with other explorers!

Do you have any upcoming projects you’d like to share about?

Thank you for asking! There are two projects in the pipeline I’m super stoked about…

The first is Exotic Deadly: Or The MSG Play by Keiko Green, directed by Mimi Katano (and Production Managed by the one and only Grecia!). It’s a delightfully absurd script with an incredible cast and production team, full of the humor and heart I cherish — and you learn lots about MSG. The play runs September 6 – 20 at Theatre Off Jackson. 

The second is my feature film, Wild Ragerz, an absurd dark comedy on reality TV featuring an all queer cast, coming 2026! We shot for two weeks in June across WA and are now in post — it’s got jello wrestling, mud attacks, and is inspired by philosopher Jean Baudrillard (so you know it’s some real high brow stuff). For updates, follow us on Instagram @wild.ragerz.

 

Pearl Mei Lam (she/her) is an actor, comedian, and filmmaker. Stage credits include: Seattle Shakespeare Company, Dacha Theatre, Jet City Improv, ComedySportz, the You’re Wrong About and American Hysteria podcast tour, and Seattle Public Theater, where she received a 2024 Gregory Award for her performance in Unrivaled. Onscreen, she has appeared in regional commercials, Pure Flix’s Going Home, and independent films, including her debut feature Wild Ragerz. Kindled by absurd humor and daring artistry, she is committed to redefining representation for queer people of color through work that sparks laughter, joy, and community

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Faculty Spotlight: Jacqueline Barbosa

Posted on Monday, February 3rd, 2025 at 7:54 pm
Written by Arts Corps

"they tell you to turn into a new leaf but then complain about your faded color" around drawing of a leaf, part brown, part green

Jacqueline Barbosa is an alum from our Interagency Arts Program and our Art 4 Life @ CAM internship. Since fall, she has also been one of our new Classroom Assistants, working with our New Futures and Out of School Time programs! It’s been so wonderful having Jacqueline back in the classroom as faculty, and seeing the way she is able to connect with our young students. We’re so excited to witness all the ways she continues to grow!

What made you decide to become a Classroom Assistant?

I decided to become a Classroom Assistant because of Adam and my teacher at Interagency Southwest, Ms. Mary, who both have been role models I’ve always looked up to. I loved making art with Adam and saw how much he enjoyed working with students while doing something he was passionate about. So many students, including myself, couldn’t wait to get to school just to vibe with Adam and create some art with him. Seeing the positive impact he had on everyone around him inspired me to want to make that same kind of impact for youth, be someone they can look up to and can’t wait to create art with.

What has been a surprising lesson you have learned in your new role?

A surprising lesson I’ve learned in my new role is how much the students have taught me about patience. While I came in expecting to guide them, I’ve realized the importance of really listening to each of their unique experiences. Many of them have their own challenges, but they handle each day with strength, which has inspired me to be more open minded. It’s been a wholesome experience to grow with them.

What excites you about continuing to CA this quarter?

What excites me about continuing as a Classroom Assistant this quarter is the opportunity to grow and become better in my role. I’m looking forward to gaining more experience, learning new skills, and finding ways to connect with the students even more effectively. It’s exciting to know that each day is a chance to improve and make a bigger impact.

You were a student both at our Interagency Arts Program and our Art 4 Life internship at CAM. Can you tell us a little about your experience in these programs?

In the Interagency Arts Program, Adam didn’t let us use our phones for inspiration when drawing or painting. Instead, he pushed us to think for ourselves and be creative. At first, it was hard because I was used to looking up ideas, but over time, I realized how much it helped me grow. I started making things I didn’t think I could, and it taught me to trust my own process. I’m glad I had that experience. In the Art 4 Life internship at CAM, I learned to take my time and be patient with my art. I focused on doing things step by step and picked up new techniques that helped me grow. I also met many talented artists who inspired me to keep improving and exploring my creativity.

What are some of your own creative practices or current projects?

Lately, I’ve been taking my time with art and exploring new techniques. I’m learning a lot from Maryem, which has helped me grow. Im really interested in color blending and cutting out shapes, making experiments like diy lava lamps, diy bookmarks, and using pastels for drawings, and more!!!

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for making this such a great experience. I’m really grateful to be part of such a friendly and supportive community here at Arts Corps.

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Arts Corps’ New Program at the Youth Detention Center

Posted on Friday, November 1st, 2024 at 5:45 pm
Written by Arts Corps

 

                A black-and-white picture of Maria, a Latina woman with long curly hair, in front of a bookshelf with lamp     

For the last few years, Arts Corps has brought arts education into the Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center to engage the students at Alder Academy, located inside. Alder is one of five sites that Arts Corps serves in our collaboration with Interagency, a network of alternative high schools that are part of the Seattle Public Schools District and that supports students who have not found success at traditional schools due to a wide range of factors related to systemic oppression. The students at interagency are farthest from educational justice, and at Alder our youth are facing the justice system. Arts Corps classes help provide these students with safe, consistent space for creative expression, social-emotional development, and arts-based strategies for engagement in school.

Through our time at Alder, we see the meaningful and transformative impact that arts have on these students’ lives. We wanted this impact to go even further and to reach more of the youth who need art as a right to healing and self-expression. So we decided that our classes within the Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center needed to serve not just Interagency students, but incarcerated youth as well. After months of working with the Department of Adults and Juvenile Detention, we are now starting a new program to bring visual arts, movement, and spoken word to youth in detention.

Two of the programs’ teaching artists, Heather Harris and Maria Guillen Valdovinos, shared with us a little more about this new initiative.

What is each of you teaching in this new program?
 
H: I am excited to begin teaching the art of movement at the youth detention center.
 
M: I will be teaching visual arts, graphic design, illustration and collective muralism. 
 
What is the importance of having art within spaces like the Youth Detention Center and of offering these different mediums? 
 
H: The dance class will give the participants an opportunity to create movement, share stories and expression, as well as working on strength building, stretching and learning a variety of lyrical and jazz-based dance steps.
 
M: As a creative abolitionist I believe the arts, movement and expression should be accessible to everyone, especially youth incarcerated. There are so many ways to process lived experiences and at any stage in life anyone can be an artist. The arts ignite creative thought process, challenge dominant narratives, how we communicate and help us build collective ideas. These spaces are needed for youth to express themselves and be able to develop creative skills with community teaching artists. 
 
What are some challenges of the program? What are some areas of opportunities? 
 
H: Some of the challenges have been just getting clearance of paperwork before entering the facility, but we are making our way through the process and will be starting soon.
 
M: Some of the challenges are materials & tools becoming a liability, which is also a great opportunity to learn about different mediums & methods. Developing skills with technology and learning the process of both hand-drawn & digital drawing is something I always appreciate teaching youth. There are so many ways to be a creative person, and I think it is great as an arts community we can provide these resources to people experiencing incarceration. 
                                                                                            
You were approached for the program due to your experience as teaching artists. What is one lesson you’ve learned through time that you are bringing into the program?
 
M: Over the years I’ve learned as an artist & educator invested in community to be flexible and respect others autonomy. 
 
What is the role of art in social justice and in conversations of social issues such as youth incarceration?
 
H: I believe that Art is a wonderful tool to release emotions, tap into creativity and to meet each person exactly where they are at in their journey. 
 
M: The arts are inherently political and necessary for social revolutions; helping us shift our knowledge and find new ways to exist. Youth who experience incarceration deserve to be treated with dignity and have access to arts education. The arts create opportunities for understanding, knowledge, solidarity, and plays a vital role in shaping all aspects of societies.

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Faculty Spotlight: Yaz Williams

Posted on Saturday, September 28th, 2024 at 12:31 am
Written by Arts Corps

A selfie of Yaz, a black person in their 20s on a sidewalk, wearing white sunglasses and their shaped in 5 points

Yaz joined Arts Corps last winter as a Classroom Assistant and this year they are stepping up as a Teaching Artist. Recently, they were kind enough to share some of their thoughts, experiences, and practices of being a teaching artist.

“Being a teaching artist to me is being able to have influence and be influenced by the youth without being necessarily in a traditional educational setting”.

Yaz had always wanted to be a professional creative but they never expected to be an educator. To them, traditional educational settings place teachers in a loop, bound by a list of requisites they need to teach in a set amount of time. In their mind, this seemed taxing and problematic, because it often leads to difficult conversation being dismissed in the classroom due to a lack of time.

However, Yaz realized there are alternative routes to be an educator, giving them the opportunity to be someone who can have these difficult conversations, “We all come from different backgrounds. I’m not going to shy away from the experience of your background in comparison to mine. We come from different backgrounds, and sometimes we have stigmas against people with certain backgrounds. We’re gonna talk about that.”

Yaz’s practice centers the power of voice, the power of choice, and teaching responsibility through action. When they set rules, they explain the reasons behind the rule by discussing how each action is a choice and how each choice has consequences for ourselves and others. “I’m not gonna be like, oh, you did this wrong. I’m gonna say we don’t do these things because of this. We should not do that because these are the consequences of that action.”

This also leads to teaching youth how to advocate for themselves and respect others’ boundaries, “I want [them] to be learning how to ask for help. I want [them] to learn to say ‘I’m not okay with that, I’m not comfortable with that, you made me feel this way’”.

Yaz uses art as a way for students to practice their power. When Yaz presents an activity they say, “I’m gonna show you how I do it. I’m gonna give you the tools for that. But then it’s up to you how you wanna achieve that goal. And you might not even want to achieve the same physical goal that I would.”

The most challenging thing about using art as a medium is that a lot of people, regardless of age, view art as a skill or as a privilege.

“Art is a right”, Yaz says, “Everybody has the right to create…[But] a lot of times kids will not pick up a paintbrush, pick up an activity because of that inherent, ‘Oh, I’m not gonna be good at it’. I’m not asking to be good. I’m asking you to try.”

So the focus of their art lessons is not just about improving certain skills, but also about pushing through the fear of failure, the fear of success, the “taking yourself too seriously”.

“In my space I want you to participate, and participation is success. Working through your frustrations is success. I like anything you give me. But I’m gonna defy some things because I want you to see your own progress.”

Challenging what art or success might look like allows Yaz to approach learning as a process rather than a product, recognizing students as individuals with their own needs and skills. For example, Yaz might say, “I wanted you to try tracing it, because this is teaching you how to hold a pencil. I’m looking at how you’re holding your pencil, so I can see if I can correct the way that you do it. Even still, if you hold your paintbrush up here, that doesn’t mean you’re better than someone that holds your paintbrush down here. It’s that you have different versions of control, of how you use your paintbrush.”

For this upcoming year, Yaz wants to lean into the sense of limitlessness that art as a whole has to offer and so for their for first curriculum as a teaching artist they choose the topic of world-building.

“I’m really, really excited to see what comes out of this entire course because I might have painters, I might have story writers, I might have people that build a little tribe of dolls because they have that skill set. I’m just excited to see a new generation of artists that have the freedom of being whoever they want to be, because they were taught the techniques of something, the definitions of something, rather than how you should create with it.”

Something else they’re excited about being a new Arts Corps Teaching Artist?

“At the excuse being a sap, I’ve literally waited my entire life to be this person. It was never a dream that I thought was accomplishable. So like, I’m giddy just imagining being in a space as this version of myself and being ready to be with kids. And I’m just really, really excited to see how my students receive me, and my excitement. I’m excited for it all”. 

Yaz Williams is a multi-disciplinary artist from Raleigh, North Carolina who is Black, AFAB, and queer and as such, their work is centered in Black and Afro-centric standpoints. Some of their practices are graphic novels, storytelling, prints, and stickers. Yaz moved to Seattle in 2022 as a Montessori school teacher and has since worked with South End Stories and LAUNCH. They got a BA in Child Adolescent Psychology from the HBCU, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in order to learn what techniques were historically created as marginalization tools, how to move away from them, and how to better serve BIPOC students. As an artist and a person, they are interested in sustainability, third spaces such as libraries and tool workshops, learning different communication styles, and cultural education. They want to increase their own cultural knowledge and that of others in order to help build a better sense of community. They enjoy visiting new places and sitting in parks.

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Faculty Spotlight: Cecelia DeLeon

Posted on Friday, April 26th, 2024 at 6:00 pm
Written by Arts Corps

Headshot of Cecelia DeLeon, a Chicana woman with curly black hair wearing heart-shaped sunglasses

Earlier this month, we hosted our paid Art 4 Life Digital internship. It was a great week, and one of the people responsible for this was the program’s co-Teaching Artist Cecelia DeLeon! We thought you should get to know a little more about her. 

What made you decide to become a teaching artist? 
I dropped out of an art college, stopped doing art for years after that, and bounced job to job. Doing art always brought me back to a therapeutic place and reminded me that when I did it, I was doing something I loved. Many random jobs and unhappiness later, I was googling “art teacher seattle”, or something along the lines of that, and after looking at the results, arts corps came up. I reached out, was hired as a Classroom Assistant and the rest is history! Being a Teaching Artist is cool because I can show up authentically as myself and I can teach my youth how to bring out their inner artist.

What do you like about Art 4 Life digital in particular?
There is a huge gap in this type of digital programming for our youth and Art 4 Life is creating the bridge of access for our most marginalized population. The way digital art is taking over the art scene right now is crazy! I think it’s cool that Art 4 Life can bring young artists together so that they can learn Procreate and how to create art digitally. This internship is teaching them a skill so that they can keep up with the art trends and which is a really useful tool to have.

What was one of your favorite moments of the internship?
Besides getting to know the students and seeing their artwork, I think one of my favorite moments would be when one of our students gave me instructions on how to use the Symmetry tool. You could tell she was really enjoying the class and was paying attention because she gave me clear instructions and guided me on what I needed to select within the menu to use the tool.

What is a message that you like to impart onto your students?
Don’t be afraid to do things on your own and learn new things! Always ask questions! Get connected with other artists in your community!

What are some of your own creative practices?
Sometimes I’ll switch it up from analog to digital because I like to do it all, I enjoy painting murals and creating illustrations on Procreate. I like cutting up paper and making collages or bringing out the gouache and just going to town! 

Do you have any projects coming up that you’d like to share?
I am currently finishing up a mural for Washington Health Plan Finder that will be installed in Granger, WA and I am doing a couple of illustration commissions for clients that I am pretty excited about because I am using Procreate to do them. 

Seattle-born, White Center raised, Cecelia DeLeon is a multidisciplinary public artist working under the alias Mousy DeVilla. Often switching back from digital works using Procreate, Adobe Software to acrylic paintings, mixed media arts, and collage artworks. She draws inspiration from the neighborhoods and cities she’s lived in and continues to serve her community as a Teaching Artist. The social justice themes explored in her bold and colorful work weave in the conversation around welcoming immigrants, uplifting BIPOC communities, and paying homage to Washington where she was born, while celebrating her identity as “Chicana”, the hyphen in Mexican-American. She’s created artwork for traffic boxes around King County, a mural for Food Lifeline, and has had work shown at the Tacoma Art Museum.

 

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Faculty Spotlight: Adam Collet and Arielle Labra

Posted on Friday, July 28th, 2023 at 11:27 pm
Written by Arts Corps

The Art 4 Life Summer 2023 Arts Corps team at CAM. From left to right: Program Manager Eris Eaton, Teaching Artist Arielle Labra, Teaching Artist Adam Collet. Photo courtesy of CAM.

 

In Art 4 Life Summer 2023, our youth did a lot! In the course of a week, the interns worked with professional artists at Common Area Maintenance (CAM) in Belltown, learned a variety of new visual arts skills, created 5 different pieces, and hosted a showcase event for the community. It was a whirlwind of laughter, growth, and creativity. At the heart of it all were Arts Corps teaching artists Adam Collet and Arielle Labra. Adam and Arielle were the ones to plan the curriculum, lead the classes, and stand by the youth through their challenges and celebrations. We are so thankful for their work and talent! 

Now that the program has ended, we got the opportunity to learn more about these awesome teaching artist and their thoughts on the internship. 

You both have been teaching artists for Art 4 Life in the past. What made you decide to become a teaching artist? What do you like about this program in particular?

ADAM: I came to teaching late in life,  I never thought I would be a teacher, I guess I resisted the call for a long time. When my own children began school I started to see a real need for quality, relevant art education. That was the beginning for me.

What do I like about Art 4 Life? It’s a chance for students with an interest in art, that might not otherwise have access to higher level art opportunities, to work together intensively and produce a new body of work. This latest iteration of Art 4 Life was great, we were at CAM (Common Area Maintenance) for a week. We worked on book binding, zine making, poster making, collage, printmaking, stencil work, photography, and sign painting. There were probably a couple more things in there too. In the end we had an art show/book binding event to showcase all the awesome student work. Big shoutout to Arielle , my co-teacher, and Timothy and Robert at CAM, and all the CAM artists that pitched in.

ARIELLE: Growing up I lacked representation. When I was in school I didn’t have a teacher whom to look up too, not even my art teachers. So I would like to be “that” teacher for someone. I think representation is key for youth, they are trying to figure out who they are and having teachers that don’t fit the norm is key.

As to Art 4 Life, I like that it’s a very intentional program, its main focus is to expose youth to an artist work environment and teach them new art and work skills for their future careers. I think that art programs are essentials in a students life, there are so many art forms out there. I’m grateful we get a chance to show/teach different art mediums to the youth and that they get a chance to try new things.

What has been a challenge about pursuing art professionally? What has been a reward?

ADAM: Haha, pursuing creative work professionally is not for the faint of heart. There’s of a constant struggle trying to balance personal and professional goals and projects. Rewards? Peace of mind, the reward is all in your head.  

ARIELLE: It has been financially hard, teachers and artists world wide are not compensated fairly for their jobs and time. But I love sharing and being creative with others. It feels my heart with joy when I see young artist believing in their craft and trying new things.

What are some of your own creative practices?

ADAM: I’ve been taking photos for a long time now but lately (the last 2-3 years) I’ve been drawing and painting a lot more. Mostly drawing semiautobiographical short comics. Currently I’m mining a lifetime of memories and seeing how they influence the way I interpret the world. I’m also trying to assemble a box camera I picked up recently.

ARIELLE: Being curious, drawing everything, and keeping an open mind! I always take photos of where I go and whatever catches my attention when I’m walking. I always carry a little sketchbook and pencil with me because you never know when you will find something to draw.

What was one of your favorite moments during the internship?

ADAM: We did some linocut printmaking and seeing the students turn a slab of nothing into beautiful works of art was fantastic. Watching them pull those first prints, it was like watching a magic show. That, and giving them the cameras and toy cameras to take photos. It was very cool to see how they decided to document the work that was happening.  Lastly, maybe just seeing everyone so motivated. We had a couple 15 minute breaks built into the schedule everyday but more often that not students would just keep working. Everyone was just so focused and productive. 

ARIELLE: The students faces when they saw their final projects. They worked so hard to make it happen and it showed in their piece.

Do you have other projects coming up, or anything you would like to share?

ADAM: Nothing I want to mention, don’t want to jinx it.

ARIELLE: I’m slowly but surely diving more into tattooing and just moved into a new studio, so my summer project is to make the place look nice and get new clients!

 

Raised in the Pacific Northwest, Adam Collet has been taking photographs and making art since childhood. Adam went to school in Seattle, also attended Seattle Central Community College and the UW where he earned a BFA in Photography. In 2008, he began teaching and passing on an interest in art and design to the next generation. Still living in Seattle with wife, children, and cat.

Besides Adam’s photography and illustration work he’s also a Teaching Artist specializing in Visual Art with a focus on integrating Art and STEM disciplines. In addition to Arts Corps, he’s taught classes, and online content for King County Library System; Seattle Public Library; stArt Exploring, a project of Sound Transit; Seattle Parks and Rec; High Point Neighborhood House; Yesler Terrace, Youth Tutoring Program; Family Learning Program; and various schools in Highline and Seattle Public Schools.

Recent projects include Essentially Seattle – photographing essential workers for City of Seattle/SPU, from the Office of Art & Culture; Public Art Program – photographing publicly sited artworks for City of Seattle, from the Office of Art & Culture. Ethnic Artist Roster, Seattle; Creative Advantage Arts Partner Roster, Seattle; ShoreLake Artist Roster, Shoreline.

 

Arielle A Labra Campos (She/Her/They/Them) is a Queer Latinx artist born to Immigrant parents in Zimbabwe. Moving to South America at the age of 5, living in Chile and Argentina before moving to Seattle in 2018. From an early age, Arielle has explored different art forms to express and find herself. Growing up, they would spend their school breaks at their grandparents beach house in Chile. In summer playing with the waves, the sand and seashells, and in winter Arielle would fill her time with drawings, paintings and crafts. She is inspired by the feeling of belonging and her long-life connection to the sea and their creatures – utilizing blue and purple colorways, and detailed lines and dots to bring her illustrations to life. Her art often combines the creatures of the surface (humans) with oceanic themes. In her work, Arielle brings together elements that sometimes looks like they don’t belong together, bringing harmony and balance to it.

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