About Us

About Us

Ashley & Hannah are the co-owners of Art Strong. They met in graduate school at Teachers College, Columbia University. After becoming fast friends through their love of art education, they realized they made a great team professionally.  Through their experiences, Ashley and Hannah saw first hand how the arts can positively impact the culture of an entire community. They are so happy to bring the arts to kids and families in Long Island City!

About Ashley 

Ashley studied Art & Theatre at Lehigh University in PA and was drawn to art education through interning at the Guggenheim and serving as a teaching assistant at several city schools. After graduating from Teachers College, she worked as the art teacher for K-8 at a local NYC DOE school in LIC and at a small private school in Manhattan serving children with special needs. She loves introducing students to new materials and setting up process based and exploratory art and play stations. In her spare time she loves getting lost in a great book, working on DIY projects at home, and spending time with her daughter, Norah. 

About Hannah

Hannah studied Visual Art at the University of Delaware. After graduating from Teachers College, Hannah started a K-12 art program at an NYC DOE school in Manhattan where she worked for 5 years. She loves to see children get inspired by new art materials, techniques, and artists. She enjoys painting and illustration in her own artwork. Hannah also loves cookie, reading, and spending time with her son, Henry.

Beth & Shelby teach After School & Art Explorers

About Beth

Beth studied Illustration & Art Education at Cal State University Long Beach. She spent 2 years teaching K-12 art at an international school in Malawi, Africa before moving to New York City and starting to work at Art Strong! Beth loves getting to know the kids and seeing them light up when they see their ideas come to life. Outside of Art Strong, Beth continues illustrating her second children’s book, vending at art fairs, and reading in the park.

About Shelby

Shelby studied Photography and Psychology at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. She has always enjoyed working with children, working at Summer camps and schools before she began working at Art Strong. She She loves getting to know each child and introducing them to new and exciting processes, and is passionate about fostering creativity and confidence. Outside of Art Strong, Shelby freelances as a photographer and collage artist, and enjoys exploring the city.

Tiffany teaches our Little Explorers Classes

About Tiffany

Tiffany has worked in education and volunteered to work with children in her community as well as overseas throughout the last decade. She loves to empower kids of all ages to use their imagination and encourage them to wonder about the world around them. If you find Tiffany outside of the studio, she’s probably eating a giant bowl of ramen, shopping at Michael’s (again) or hanging out with her baby nephew in New Jersey!