Arte Preescolar y Familiar
En este programa, invitamos a niños de 3 a 6 años a hacer arte. En esta clase de arte continua basada en el juego, nos enfocamos en la socialización, la conexión, el aprendizaje sensorial y el fomento de la imaginación.
Cultivate Core Team
Mallory Shotwell
Founder and Director
Mallory Shotwell (she/her) is the Founder and Director of Cultivate, a role she has passionately embraced to merge the realms of contemporary art and community engagement. Her commitment to this mission is rooted in over 20 years of experience as an educator and a decade each as an interdisciplinary artist and curator. Mallory's journey in the arts and education has been significantly shaped by her time in Madison, WI, where she collaborated with local, county, and state arts councils for 8 years, deepening her commitment to arts and artist advocacy and support.
Before launching Cultivate, Mallory dedicated herself to education as a Montessori teacher, fostering creativity and independence among her students. Her curatorial practice includes working with organizations like Arts and Literature Laboratory, Lansing Art Gallery, the Bubbler, and most recently the Arts Council of White Lake. As an interdisciplinary artist, her work is rooted in sensorial engagement and storytelling, working with organizations like Pod Save America and the National Breast Cancer Foundation, and has exhibited at the Indiana Green Invitational and the Other Art Fair presented by Saatchi Art, underscore her influence in contemporary art.
Beyond her professional life, Mallory is a mother to a 15-year-old son, an artist himself, and she enjoys spending her time as an avid reader and dual-state Master Gardener, illustrating her belief in the nurturing power of art, education, and community.
Cultivate Team Documentation
Core Leadership Team over Time
Mallory Shotwell
Founder and Director
Mallory (she/her) has over 20 years of experience as an educator and a decade each as an interdisciplinary artist and curator. As Cultivate's founder, she has integrated contemporary art with community engagement, working previously with institutions like Arts and Literature Laboratory and Lansing Art Gallery. Her own art practice emphasizes storytelling and sensorial engagement, and her exhibitions include venues like the Indiana Green Invitational and the Saatchi Art Fair.
Brian Criner
Director of Operations
With 15+ years in OTT broadcast, Brian (he/him) has collaborated with NPR, Stanford University, and Google. An accomplished musician and visual artist, he has contributed his operational expertise and creativity to Cultivate’s initiatives.
Ryker Huizinga
Volunteer and Events Coordinator
Ryker (he/him), a communication professional with a focus on media literacy, has strengthened Cultivate’s community ties through volunteer coordination and event management. He also manages “Murals of Grand Rapids,” enhancing public appreciation for local art.
Eric Osborne
Design and Communications Coordinator
Eric (he/him), a graphic designer with a BA in University Studies, is now pursuing a Master of Architecture. His self-taught beginnings in design have informed Cultivate’s visual storytelling, shaping our digital and print communications.
Hannah Stevenson
Arts Outreach Coordinator
Hannah (she/her), an emerging multidisciplinary artist, holds a BFA from Kendall College of Art and Design. A recipient of the Fine Arts Excellence Award, her conceptual art focuses on fibers and painting. She has played an integral role in connecting Cultivate with the community.
Annmarie Ventura
Director of Education
With 15 years of experience, Annmarie (she/her) has held roles at the Johnson Museum of Art, Christie’s Art Auction House, and various educational institutions. She brings a focus on inclusivity and engagement, bridging Cultivate’s mission with her background in arts education.
Claudia Pimentel
Education Director
Claudia (she/her), a Peruvian-American illustrator and comic artist, holds a BFA in Digital Illustration from Kendall College of Art and Design. She has taught in higher education and public schools, specializing in neurodiversity and multiculturalism.
Corey Bordo
Director of Finance
Corey (he/him) has been instrumental in managing Cultivate's financial operations, ensuring sustainable growth through strategic planning and budgeting.
Teaching Faculty over Time
Our faculty, consisting of certified art educators and practicing artists, reflects Cultivate’s dedication to a diverse and inclusive art education. Each instructor brings unique credentials and expertise, fostering an environment of growth and creative exploration:
Casey Bemis
Painting and Sculpture Instructor
Casey (she/her) studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Rhode Island School of Design, and holds an MFA in Metal Arts. She combines fine arts expertise with hands-on teaching for students of all ages.
Natalie Lewandowski
Ceramics and Interdisciplinary Arts Educator
Natalie (she/her) holds a BFA with a ceramics concentration and an art education certification from Northern Michigan University. She leads the Young Artist series and multiple core courses, focusing on holistic learning.
Maureen Garza
Teen and Adult Art Educator
With degrees in Fine Arts, Teaching, and Occupational Therapy, Maureen (she/her) supports inclusive and adaptable art instruction, specializing in drawing, painting, and sculpture.
Andy Budnick
Comics and Illustration Educator
Andy (he/him), an illustrator with a background from Kendall College of Art and Design, shares his passion for comic art with teen and adult students, guiding them in visual storytelling techniques.
Caroline Bell
Interdisciplinary Arts Educator
Caroline (they/them), a Grand Valley State University student in Art Education, leads elementary and adult courses. Their work, exhibited at the Grand Rapids Art Museum, explores identity and advocacy.
Gail Long
Fiber and Textile Arts Instructor
Gail (she/her) holds a BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art and an MA from Grand Valley State University. She leads fiber and textile classes, connecting students to sustainable practices and tactile expression.
Danielle Benson-Fennell
Metalsmithing and Fine Arts Instructor
Danielle (she/her), with 24 years teaching experience, specializes in metalsmithing. Her courses inspire teens and adults, particularly through AP Art Studio preparation.
Aidan Donahue
Elementary and Adult Introductory Arts Instructor
Aidan (he/him) holds a BA from UCLA and an MS in Education. His abstract art and teaching methods focus on intuitive expression and color theory, appealing to beginners and advanced learners.
Frances Dykema
Printmaking and Fiber Arts Educator
Frances (she/her), a recent graduate in Art Education, brings Montessori-inspired methods to Cultivate. Her courses encourage student choice and sustainable creative practices.
Devin DuMond
Mural Arts Instructor
Devin (they/them), a muralist recognized for their work at Gerald R. Ford Airport, teaches mural arts, integrating technical and creative skills for public art projects.
Alec Zemper
Oil Painting and Drawing Instructor
Alec (he/him), a self-taught artist, has taught at Interlochen Center for the Arts. His courses cover portraiture and landscape painting, providing foundational techniques for adult learners.
Jackson Wrede
Watercolor and Landscape Art Educator
Jackson (he/him), with an MFA from Kendall College of Art and Design, leads courses in watercolor, emphasizing connections with nature and technical skill development.
Teagan Chatterley
Elementary and Teen Educator
Teagan (she/her) has an MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Teagan Chatterley bridges sculpture and design. Her work with materiality and form brings a fresh approach to object design and function, broadening Cultivate’s understanding of interdisciplinary practices.
Ann Chuchvara - Cole
Teen Studio and Art Educator
Ann (she/her), with an MFA from the University of Colorado, leads courses in teen art studio practices. Her expertise in textile design includes commissions for prominent spaces, like the White House Family Dining Room.
Open Studio and Club Facilitators over Time
Blake Matthews
Generative Art Studio Leader
Blake (they/them), recipient of the Leroy-Neiman Fellowship, facilitates an inclusive, experimental space through the Generative Art Studio. Their interdisciplinary practice explores themes of identity and resilience.
Veronica Polniak
Collage Club Facilitator
Veronica (she/her), founder of Little Art Park, brings her background in hospitality to Cultivate. She facilitates Collage Club sessions, encouraging interactive and playful material exploration for all ages.
Cultivate Curatorial Board Members over Time
Mandy Cano Villalobos
Mandy Cano Villalobos is an interdisciplinary artist exhibiting widely across the U.S., Latin America, and Europe. Her work, reviewed in The New York Times and ARTnews, has earned recognition from foundations such as Gottlieb and Puffin. Mandy’s presence on the board reflects Cultivate’s commitment to a global and deeply reflective artistic practice.
Eddie T.L. Tadlock
Eddie T.L. Tadlock, Assistant General Manager of DeVos Place, brings extensive facility management and board experience across numerous cultural and community organizations. His insights in community-oriented programming have reinforced Cultivate’s aim to connect art with broader social initiatives in Grand Rapids.
Tamara Fox
Tamara Fox, an artist, educator, and writer, has taught studio art and art history across multiple states and was an editor for Art HACK. With an MFA and a history of working with reclaimed materials, Tamara’s contributions emphasize sustainable art practices, aligning with Cultivate’s mission to engage with art’s social and environmental impact.
Oshin Pazare
With a Master’s in Arts Administration and deep expertise in textiles and Indian Art History, Oshin Pazare brings a focus on cross-cultural art practices and inclusion. Her research in DEI adds a thoughtful layer to Cultivate’s programs, broadening the cultural perspectives represented in our exhibitions.
Stephen Smith
Stephen Smith, community advocate and co-founder of Muse Gallery, holds a BA in Psychology and a Master’s in Educational Leadership. His focus on bridging education with community work has been invaluable in guiding Cultivate’s mission to support art as a tool for social growth and youth empowerment.
Danielle Wyckoff
Danielle C. Wyckoff, Associate Professor of Art at Kendall College of Art and Design, specializes in themes of love and language. Her international exhibition record and focus on equity in the arts enrich Cultivate’s approach to community engagement and advocacy.
Dulcee Boehm
Dulcee Boehm, an advocate for contemporary art in nonmetropolitan areas, uses video, performance, and sculpture to explore rural life. With experience at Ox-Bow and a fellowship from the Foundation for Contemporary Arts, Dulcee’s unique perspective highlights the importance of art’s reach beyond urban centers.
Bettina Cousineau
Currently the Exhibits Manager/Curator at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, Bettina Cousineau brings experience from national galleries and residencies at Yaddo and Ragdale. Her curatorial insights have helped Cultivate maintain a high level of professionalism and national relevance in our exhibitions.
Maureen Nolette
An artist whose work explores social and gender constructs, Maureen Nolette’s extensive exhibition history includes collections such as the Detroit Institute of Arts. Her curatorial experience has helped shape Cultivate’s mission of examining and challenging societal norms through art.
Katherine Hagman Prokopchuk
As director of the MSU Science Festival and founder of Inquiry Arts, Katherine Prokopchuk merges art with scientific and cultural inquiry. Her public engagement expertise has enriched Cultivate’s programming, encouraging curiosity and dialogue around art’s role in understanding the world.
Mahsa Alafar
Iranian artist Mahsa Alafar holds an MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and critically engages with themes of decolonization and Orientalism. Her work contributes a vital global perspective, pushing Cultivate’s exploration of cultural narratives and social awareness in the arts.
Teagan Chatterley
With an MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Teagan Chatterley bridges sculpture and design. Her work with materiality and form brings a fresh approach to object design and function, broadening Cultivate’s understanding of interdisciplinary practices.