About Us
Our Story
Artist and Founder
I devoted myself to art, something I have loved since I was a child. In 2015, I used my newfound freedom, passion for life and talents as an entrepreneur to create SPARK. I discovered a connection with children that I hadn’t known and it has allowed me to speak their language and create a life doing what I love.
Today as an entrepreneur, father and Artist, from New York to Pennsylvania, I am committed to taking Spark to the next level. Using a mix of online and offline strategies, it is my intention, along with my amazing team of Teaching Artists, to create a healthier and happier world by connecting children to self-expression, community and purpose.
Our Team
Jonathan Mendez
Teaching Artist
Jonathan is an NYC artist that specializes in pyrography/ woodburning. He has a bachelor’s degree in Studio Art.
He has over 10 years of experience working with and mentoring children from ages 5-16. Back in 2015 he found out he had a generic condition called Neurofibromatosis Type 1 which he had to get multiple surgeries to remove tumors from his spine. During recovery he used art as his form of therapy to pass time, this is where he came across the art of pyrography which is his main study of art. Jonathan hopes to one day be an advocate in the Neurofibromatosis community, especially to show children they’re not alone.
Francia Valbuena
Teaching Artist
She graduated from LaGuardia CC, Associates degree in Fine Arts and coordinates creative activities at “The Kids Art Gallery” for a Brooklyn based art collective. Francia, is an accomplished tattoo artist with extensive experience looking to expand her career by instructing and enhancing the imagination of future generations.
Carolina Parra
Teaching Artist
I’m an emerging actress living in New York since 2015. I’m originally from Colombia, where I was born and raised.
I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture and a Master’s specialized in Management and Event Communication.
However, rather than a photographer, I consider myself a soul catcher. I won’t claim to be the best and most expert photographer, I am an expert at making people feel comfortable in their own skin and that shows in the images I capture.
Joel Polanco
Teaching Artist
My name is Joel Antonio Polanco. I own my own independent Animation company. I graduated from Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School and then received a BFA from Cooper Union, one of the best art universities in NY state.
Alongside my art practice, I had the privilege at an early age to teach art to teens. I started at 17 years old as an assistant art instructor for Queens Council On Art (QCA). That quickly transformed into being a mentor to specific students at QCA. Fast forward to college, I had the amazing opportunity to teach teens at the Saturday Program, a high intensity portfolio prep program for kids who are serious about getting into art college. I love working with children of all ethnic backgrounds from all walks of life. One of my best moments in life is when I became the instructor at Saturday program after being a student for 1 year!
Madeline Enlow
Teaching Artist
Michelle Paer
Teaching Artist
“Michelle is a New York City born and based professional visual artist with a BFA in Illustration from the School of Visual Arts.
Angie Phoenix
Teaching Artist
Angie is a self-taught abstract visual and sculptor artist. She graduated from Laguardia CC with a degree in psychology to deepen the understanding of the human condition and use art as a way to cope with life’s trials
With that she brings a sense of healing to her community through creativity. Angie has a deep connection with nature and animals. She continues to connect with her indigenous background to protect and preserve nature by bringing awareness through her creative expression thus, her art style flows with her sense of urgency to protect the voiceless.
Xavier Polanco
Teaching Artist
My name is Xavier Polanco, my passion is teaching and visual arts. I graduated with a BFA from The Cooper Union in NYC. I love portraiture, drawing and 2-D animation.
Jazmine Nieves
Teaching Artist
Naderson Saint Pierre
Teaching Artist
Naderson Saint Pierre is a passionate and talented portrait artist known for his ability to capture the essence and personality of his subjects through his art.
many galleries throughout Florida and New York City.
Grace Donnelly
Teaching Artist
Grace is a student studying visual arts in NYC but is originally from MA. She is an aspiring tattoo artist and is currently a licensed apprentice.
Stella Kogan
Teaching Artist
Stella Kogan is a self taught artist that is currently a senior in high school. She has been passionate about the arts since a young age and plans on pursuing a Bachelors in Fine Arts in college.
Stella creates paintings, drawings and sculpture using found material that she incorporates into her work. Her favorite media includes acrylic paint and clay. Stella also has two years of experience working with younger children in the arts from ages 4-13. Currently, she runs two clubs at school where she helps students execute art projects as a part of Art and Self Expression Club and paint murals around her school as a part of the Mural Club.
Pennsylvania Partners
As we begin this new chapter in PA, Spark is striving to reach more kids and we couldn’t do this without collaborating with partners. I am pleased to announce that Spark is now a part of the It Takes a Village Hybrid Homeschool Community in Wind Gap. Spark is featured in the afternoons after the Learning experience at 1pm every other Wednesday starting in the new Year on Jan 3rd. Register here!
This Spring, we are bringing our program as weekday afternoon class to the Pocono YMCA in Stroudsburg this Fall. Our intention is to teach our unique program by reaching more children and we couldn’t be happier to have this opportunity to grow and spread the spark! We start in the Spring. All materials included.