instructors

Amanda Lien

It’s probably a good thing Amanda’s mother never dissuaded her from watching cartoons or playing video games, since that’s exactly what she’s now making herself. Doodling random art during class in elementary and middle school slowly turned into sketching of her own characters and stories in high school.

After graduating from Skyline High School, she earned a degree in Multimedia and Web Design at the Art Institute of Seattle. Turns out that she’s not a fan of web design, and drawing is her true calling. Amanda is now working on finishing her Production Animation Degree at DigiPen in Redmond. “It’s a wondrous thing when watching the newest animated film or playing the next great video game can be classified as research”.

Amanda focuses heavily on character design and development, but the grinding of her instructors gave her a good rounded knowledge of painting, sculpture, 3D modeling, and animation as well. All of which she addresses in her Manga classes at Museo Art Academy.

Amy Hill

Amy has been drawn to the imaginative elements of art as long as she can remember. Fusing her interest in space and science fiction with her passion for the fired arts, she hand-glazes celestial scenes onto the surface of pottery. Her work has been featured at the American Astronomical Society conference and the Art of Planetary Science show along with various craft fairs since 2017. Her portfolio can be viewed at instagram.com/amyraehill.

After receiving a BFA from Western Washington University in 2013, she’s enjoyed instructing everything from large-scale corporate painting events, to national pottery painting workshops, to her current weekly classes at Museo! Helping students learn the tools to communicate through art is a passion of hers, and she is endlessly grateful for the chance to impact their artistic lives.

Bata Schell

Bata developed a profound appreciation for art from an early age and has been a passionate educator with over a decade of experience in inspiring and nurturing students.

Bata took a significant step in her artistic journey by enrolling in a professional art high school in Taiwan. Recognizing the importance of formal education to hone her skills and expand her artistic horizons, this decision marked a pivotal moment in her commitment to the world of visual arts. After earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Northern MIchigan University , she embarked on a journey to explore various art forms and teaching methodologies. In time, she not only discovered her proficiency in teaching but also cultivated a deep passion for it, parallel to her love for art. The realization that she could merge these two passions became a defining moment in her professional journey. For her, the classroom is a canvas where the strokes of inspiration, knowledge, and mentorship converge to create a masterpiece of learning experiences.

Bata has curated and organized numerous art exhibitions, showcasing not only her own artistic endeavors but also providing a platform for her students to display their talents. Recognizing the potential for her students to gain exposure and recognition within the broader artistic community, she saw the juried art show as an ideal platform to celebrate their creativity. As an experienced art teacher, she continues to ignite the spark of creativity in her students, instilling in them a lifelong appreciation for the arts and empowering the next generation of artists to make their mark on the world.

Claire Frederick

Claire is a fiber artist and painter who has been passionate about art education for as long as she can remember. She recently graduated with a Bachelor's in Fine Art from Western Washington University where for her thesis she was able to create a large crocheted installation housing three worm-like creatures. Since college, she has worked as an art studio assistant for a mosaic artist while also continuing to experiment with her own artwork. She believes that the best art teachers are always learning and growing with the students!

Claire is experienced in most art mediums, but finds fulfillment in helping others grow as artists and express themselves. As Assistant Programs Manager, she is excited to dedicate her experience and passion to getting more young people excited about the arts!

Connor Kriha

Connor Kriha is a 3D sculptor and board game designer born and raised in Chicago, IL. At the age of six, Connor knew he wanted to be an artist, and ever since then, he has taken every opportunity to develop, refine, and improve his creative skills. From ceramic sculptures to digital illustrations, Connor’s eccentric style can be seen in everything he creates.

Connor graduated from the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design in 2017 with a bachelor's degree in industrial/product design. Since then, he has made it his goal to share his creativity and passion with everyone he can. He mentors students interested in a career as a toy and game inventor and holds workshops teaching advanced prototyping skills like mold making and resin casting.

When not at Museo Art Academy, Connor designs, tests, and makes toys, games, and puzzles as an independent inventor. He has licensed his ideas to companies worldwide, including ThinkFun, Goliath, and Hasbro. You can also find him locked away in his studio, trying to design and sew his costume for next year's Halloween party.

You can check out his work at : https://www.connorkriha.com/

Lillian Pinkston

Lillian graduated from George Fox University in 2024 with a bachelor's in English Literature and a minor in art. She loves ceramics, and in her advanced ceramics courses explored creating small fountains. In addition to teaching art, Lillian also Tutors middle and high school students in reading and writing.

Matty Benson

Matty is an artist through and through. He started drawing as early as he possibly could and never stopped. Growing up close to Disneyland, and the Disney Animation Academy in California Adventure by extension, he was inspired to become a creator of characters and films as well. Matty is also a Museo alumni, having spent over seven years taking classes from age 11-18. The experience he gained at Museo helped him to truly appreciate the process of creating art in so many ways.

There was no question about what degree Matty was going to pursue after high school. He decided on DigiPen: Institute of Technology in Redmond years before applying, and is currently working towards his Bachelor of Fine Arts and Animation. A huge motivation for Matty is the idea of one day inspiring a new generation of students to create just like children’s movies and TV inspired him as a kid. Because of that, he’s so thankful for the opportunity to pass that down to the new students coming to Museo!

Matty Mitchell

Meet Matty Mitchell, the Aussie-turned-Seattleite who's been wielding a pencil like a wizard since forever! From conjuring web designs at Nintendo to brewing up his own podcast, Matty's creativity knows no bounds. In his off hours, you'll find him concocting all sorts of wacky wonders just for the sheer joy of it.