SUMMER STAFF

Meet our Teaching Artists for

Summer Art Camp 2023!

Harwood’s Teaching Artist Corps is made up of talented professional performing and visual artists with innovative curricula who integrate the arts with other areas of study for youth ages 6 – 14.

Lead Guides

Wil MacNeil

Wil MacNeil

Wilho (Wil) MacNeil is Albuquerque, born and raised. He attended Harwood Summer Art Camp when he was little and has worked as a Junior Guide and Guide in the past. He has also worked as an extended day teacher with Escuela Del Sol and an Educational Assistant in Albuquerque as well as Los Angeles. Wil graduated from the University of New Mexico in 2021 with a BA in linguistics, and is currently working on his MA in linguistics. In his off time, he enjoys tapestry weaving and cross stitch, but has picked up some other art skills from the wonderful teachers at Harwood.

Jordan Hines

Jordan Hines

Jordan was raised in New Mexico and is back after receiving Bachelor of Arts degrees in Creative Writing, and Media and Visual Culture from the University of Redlands. Jordan believes education is a process of growth that begins first and foremost in our schools, but if done right instills an attitude that continues that process indefinitely and is only improved by helping others in their own process. Living that belief, Jordan is always looking for opportunities to grow with others in  community and is why they joined the Escuela del Sol team in 2021.

Ben Tobias

Ben Tobias

A Houston native, Ben began working at Escuela del Sol in 2015. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from University of New Mexico, and recently completed his Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) Elementary I Montessori credential training from the Montessori Institute of San Diego. Mr. Ben began his teaching journey in 2007 while living in Barcelona, Spain, and teaching English.  He returned to Albuquerque, where he worked as a classroom assistant and volunteered at arts organizations. This led him to the Harwood Art Center,  and eventually to Escuela, after  participating Montessori Journey, where he finally got a better grasp on fractions! Ben enjoys creating art, being in nature, cooking, learning, and spending time with his son. Ben is drawn to Montessori for the presentation of materials and tactile nature, and the scientific methodology it utilizes to empower children in taking an active role in their own education.

Teaching Artists

Abby Butler

Abby Butler

Abby is a freelance designer and sequential artist working out of Albuquerque. She worked with many different organizations to help drive the creative community. She is a published comic artist and watercolor artist.

Harley Kirschner

Harley Kirschner

Harley Kirschner is a mixed media artist and instructor. He has been teaching young people art locally for nearly two decades. His passion for teaching stems from a desire to help people find an outlet for self expression, including making wearable works of art, personal narrative through zine making or getting grounded by playing with dirt!

Stephen Armijo

Stephen Armijo

Stephen Armijo is an English Teacher at SPX since 2016 and a company member of Blackout Theatre Company since 2018, a born and raised Burqueño, Stephen has a love of storytelling with a Duke City flair and has performed in theatre and film productions all over the globe. Whether it is in the classroom or on the stage, storytelling and performance are his life’s calling.

Pearl Sunrise

Pearl Sunrise

Pearl Sunrise is a weaving teacher. She includes weaving concepts that are both traditional indigenous and contemporary.

Jacob Gutierrez

Jacob Gutierrez

Jacob is an artist and printmaker who was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He graduated from UNM and turned his focus to Printmaking while he was there. He uses Printmaking to express his love and appreciation for his community, and wants to help students realize how powerful art can really be.

Manuel Gonzalez

Manuel Gonzalez

Manuel is Albuquerque Poet Laureate Emeritus. He teaches authentic self-expression workshops. There’s medicine in looking at our stories and speaking our truth.

 

Lindsay Brenner

Lindsay Brenner

Lindsay Brenner is a local Albuquerque artist. She likes to use recycled materials and fiber while making her art, but she likes to use many kinds of media as well. She likes gardening, traveling and being outside.

Michael Certo

Michael Certo

Michael Certo has been an artist, educator and gallery curator in Albuquerque for over 25 years. He has taught drawing, painting, mixed media and sculpture classes at the Harwood Summer Art Camp since 2009. He continues to be an active artist, curator and educator in the local arts community.

Sara Baecher

Sara Baecher

Sara Baecher is an artist whose work includes a variety of different mediums and subject matters. She utilizes acrylics, watercolors, markers, plaster, and other mixed-medias. Her subject matter is eclectic, often utilizing floral patterns, insects, animals, and plants.

Lana Scholtz

Lana Scholtz

Lana is a painter and ceramic artist currently pursuing an MFA from UNM. Before moving to Albuquerque in 2022, Lana worked full time as an elementary school art teacher in Santa Fe. Much of Lana‘s art practice is inspired by her experience as an art teacher; they use bright colors and familiar shapes to reflect and share the magic of everyday lives. Lana believes that anyone can be an artist, and that creating art is an essential part of the human experience. 

Hailey Tolleson

Hailey Tolleson

Hailey recently graduated from UNM with a BA in Fine Arts, specifically theatre. Her background is mostly in improv and writing. She has been the president of improv club at CNM as well as participated in couple of competions and 90s sitcom improv show. As far as writing, She has done several sketch comedy shows and aided in the development of a variety of plays, including some “choose your own adventure” projects. Currently, she is working as the head of new works for Blackout Theatre Company and a member of Cutthroat, an improv team.

Rebecca Cook

Rebecca Cook

Rebecca Cook is an artist and educator currently working towards her MFA in Painting & Drawing at the University of New Mexico. After receiving her BFA in Painting from the University of Houston, she worked for ten years as an arts educator in area schools, led drawing workshops at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, and fabricated props and sets for theatrical productions. Her philosophy is that making art should feel like play. Outside of the studio, she enjoys rollerskating, playing music, and hiking.