Meet our instructors

Using his background as a Latino, queer illustrator, Carin has been involved in working with local communities to form more creative, accessible avenues of support, connection, and celebration. Carin has a BFA in Illustration with a concentration in Literary Arts Studies. They are currently pursuing their Master's in Arts in Teaching at the Rhode Island School of Design. Materially, they often use media like ink, oil paint, gouache, color pencil, and watercolor. Carin is so excited to share their joy of combining storytelling and artmaking with Middle Makerz!

Catherine is an illustrator originally from Boston. She has a BA in Studio Art from Wesleyan University and is currently pursuing an MAT at Rhode Island School of Design. She is interested in bridging the gap between arts curriculum in schools and contemporary arts in their surrounding communities. Her own practice mostly consists of making cartoons, comics, and zines, as well as some occasional knitting. She is excited to be a part of Middle Makerz this year and work with the community at Mount Pleasant!

Courtnie Wolfgang’s research and practice focus on the critical intersections of equitable, accessible, and radical approaches to art and design education. Since the start of her career in art education in 2001, she has taught high school visual art in public schools, conducted arts-based workshops with incarcerated juveniles and adults, developed curricular and pedagogical workshops for community teaching artists, and since 2011 has been a faculty member in higher education working with future artist educators. She is the founder and director of Middle Makerz, a free art and design community-based program for middle school-aged students in Providence, directs the Project Open Door Riso Club, and sits on the board of Providence-based arts nonprofit The Steel Yard. Her creative practices include Risograph printing, zine making, collaborative small publications, garment making, and textiles.

My name is Xiao. I’m an art educator working with children, youth, and families in schools, museums, libraries, and after-school programs. My practice centers on inquiry-based and collaborative learning, creating space for students to lead their own explorations, make choices, and co-construct meaning. I love teaching and exploring craft-based mediums such as textiles, printmaking, and book arts with students, and I was so glad we had the chance to explore this with Middle Makerz!