Meet Our Team

At artSPARK, we are committed to assembling a team of talented, experienced, and dedicated professionals who embody our core values. This ensures that we consistently offer the best experience for you and your children, while deeply integrating the Studio Thinking philosophy that defines our approach and enriches our creative community.

With a Bachelor’s in Fine Art, nonprofit work in museums and educational programming, over a decade of corporate experience, and an MBA, I’ve melded my love for creativity and strategic business management to bring a unique vision to artSPARK Creative Studio. I look forward to continuing artSPARK’s legacy of fostering a nurturing space that encourages creativity and personal growth. I am also eager to explore new possibilities and continue making art an accessible, enriching part of your lives. Recognizing the role that art and creativity have played in my life and seeing those same values in my child, I am committed to cultivating an environment where all children can express themselves freely and develop their artistic talents with confidence and joy.

- Heather Pridemore, Principal Owner

Creative expression has always been a part of who I am. As a youth and young adult, I was always drawing, sculpting, painting, experimenting with photography, writing prose and poetry, exploring cooking techniques; basically, discovering and sharing myself in a multitude of different ways. When I had children of my own, I felt that teaching them to discover themselves through creative expression was as important as teaching reading, writing, and arithmetic. I gave them the freedom to explore their world, and learn to be creative, imaginative, critical thinkers who could apply what they knew, and expand on it to solve problems and create something new. They always had many opportunities to freely create, and express themselves; to make a mess, and explore an abundance of subjects and materials, because that creative process was teaching them more than how to memorize an answer to do well on a test. It was teaching them to think outside the box; to be successful; to embrace who they were, and it empowered them to express themselves more boldly and confidently.

After graduating from Carroll College with a Bachelor's degree in English and Art, my husband and I raised our four children together in Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky, and then back in Colorado. I taught English and Art classes to all age groups in our Homeschool Co-ops for over 20 years.

- Michelle Hagget, Studio Coordinator

Creating, learning, and facilitating creative expression and learning are my favorite things in the world. I am an artist and educator with experience as a K-8 school teacher and private instructor. I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2019. I have an ever-evolving, multimedia artistic practice with a current focus in drawing and digital art. I am fascinated by life sciences, technology and all things metaphysical, and express what I learn and perceive through color relationships, organic shape and line, and abstract symbols.

Between the instructors and students, the creative spirit is abuzz at artSPARK, and I love being within such an inspiring environment. I aim to instill in students an understanding that being an artist is a way of engaging with the world and oneself, and that creative expression makes the human experience richer.

- Sarah Rostamo, Lead Instructor

From a young age, art and creativity have been defining parts of my personality. I was the kid who planned crafts to go with my birthday party themes and rarely finished art projects on time because I was completing the project in my own way. I went on to double major in Educational Studies and Art at Illinois Wesleyan University.

While I have spent the years following college working in early childhood education, I have continued to create in many ways and share my creativity with my family, students, and coworkers daily. I have dabbled in a little of everything as techniques fit my ideas or needs, but tend to focus on fiber arts and mixed-media work. I am so excited to bring my passions for education and art together at artSPARK.

- Emily Milbauer, Lead Instructor

Art has always been a passion for me. From a very young age, I was always wanting to create art. It has always been such a great escape and outlet for me and is a very important aspect of my life and who I am. Finding artSPARK has been such a blessing to me, to be a part of a community and environment that is so dedicated to the creative freedom, safety, personal expression, and love of art and being able to not only share that with kids and everyone who comes in, but see a passion for art in kids and others is a truly amazing experience and feeling. I love to draw and paint both watercolor and acrylic and base most of my art on my inspiration from nature.

I graduated from South Dakota State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, Sociology, and Human Developmental Family Studies, and am currently working with foster children in our community! I enjoy working with kids and being able to watch them unlock their endless creativity and imagination, it is such an inspiring feeling!

- Taylor Heinke, Lead Instructor

Art has been my passion and outlet for me as long as I can remember. I am thrilled to have found a company and community of fellow artists.

I am currently a sophomore at Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design pursuing my Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts. I am fascinated by all things relating to art, from the historical context of art to contemporary visual culture. I favor medias such as charcoal, graphite, ink, and ceramics. As a student myself, I know just how much the creative process can be full of twists and turns.

I am looking forward to the opportunity to share my knowledge of materials and creative methods with your young artists.

- Elle Boettner, Studio Assistant

I enjoy painting and upcycling clothes. I hope to explore more creative endeavors- I am grateful for this opportunity!

I believe it’s important for kids to have a safe, fun environment when creating. I am here to be kind and welcoming- I would love to be a part of this space where kids can thrive in. Children are so inspiring with their curiosity and authenticity. I appreciate how many creative outlets artSPARK provides and I am excited to learn more.

- Claire McMonigle, Lead Instructor

My love for art began with a computer and Microsoft Paint. I took my first graphic design class in high school and immediately fell in love. I graduated from Fresno Pacific University (FPU) in 2018 with a degree in Art with a Graphic Design Emphasis. Growing up, I was never great at drawing, and I thought some people were just good at art and others weren’t. My studio art classes at FPU taught me that EVERYONE can create. That sparked in me the desire to share my experience and encourage others who think that they are not creative. I enjoy drawing with pencils and charcoal, making illustrations on my iPad, and using calligraphy brush pens to write out quotes. To continue my love for graphic design, I have my own business where I create and sell cards, stickers, and art prints.

I’m so glad to have found artSPARK. The minute I walked in, I felt like a kid in awe of how many creative possibilities there were. I love sharing art with others, and I love that I get to encourage young artists here at artSPARK.

- Alina Walker, Lead Instructor

Art and creativity have been part of my life since I was a kid. I enjoy fiddling with different media and textures while also learning about techniques and hearing stories of other’s artwork.

This creativity and appreciation for art has carried me through a high school photography class and into my adult life; where I graduated from college with an Interdisciplinary Studies Degree focusing on Elementary Education.

After college, I taught Pre-K then continued my education with a Master’s Degree in Special Ed. I’ve taught different grade levels in schools throughout Denver and am thrilled to join the team at artSPARK!

- Nora McGovern, Studio Assistant

Rediscovering my love for art had been a long journey, reigniting my excitement for creativity and self-expression. I am currently a sophomore at the Community College of Denver majoring in art history, focusing on my own art as well. I enjoy drawing and painting with many different mediums, as well as working with fiber arts such as sewing. I am excited to harbor these skills here at artSPARK!

- Mada Miller, Studio Assistant

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