our MISSION & VISION

At Tinker Art Studio, our mission is to cultivate creativity, confidence, and connection through hands-on art experiences for all ages.

We believe that art-making is a powerful tool for self-expression and personal growth, and we strive to create a welcoming space where every student—child, teen, or adult—feels supported in their creative journey. Our vision is to inspire a lifelong love of art by nurturing curiosity, honoring process over perfection, and fostering a vibrant, inclusive community of makers in Boulder and beyond.

 

OUR STORY

a team of art education leaders united around a drive for creativity, community, and connection in boulder county.

Tinker Art Studio was born from a simple but powerful idea: that everyone is inherently creative, and that art should be accessible, joyful, and part of everyday life. Founded in Boulder, Colorado by a team of passionate educators and artists, Tinker began as a small studio space where young children could explore art materials freely and expressively. The name “Tinker” reflected the studio’s philosophy—encouraging experimentation, process-based learning, and the belief that play is essential to creativity.

In its earliest days, Tinker offered a few weekly classes for toddlers and preschoolers, welcoming families into a sunlit studio filled with paints, clay, and curiosity. Word quickly spread among parents who were looking for something more than just crafts—something rooted in child development, imagination, and real art-making. As demand grew, so did the studio’s offerings, expanding into after-school classes, camps, birthday parties, and even sewing and sculpture programs for older children.

Seeing the impact of the studio’s approach on kids’ confidence and creativity, the Tinker team began to develop programming for teens and adults as well. What started as a children’s studio evolved into a full-spectrum art center, offering figure drawing sessions, painting classes, and Friday night workshops for adults looking to reconnect with their creative side. The studio became a rare place where generations could learn and make side-by-side, each supported in their own process.

Today, Tinker Art Studio is a cornerstone of Boulder’s creative community. While the studio has grown in size and scope, its mission remains the same: to provide a safe, inclusive, and inspiring space where people of all ages can explore the world through art. Whether it’s a toddler smearing paint for the first time or an adult returning to drawing after decades, Tinker is a place where creativity is always welcome—and always celebrated.

Our 3 Guiding Pillars

Tinker’s team is made up of highly qualified teachers experienced in art and education. We value community, creativity, and connection in order to provide the highest quality creative learning environment.

CONNECTION

COMMUNITY

CREATIVITY

  • Christie Slater Hubley

    FOUNDER

    Christie founded Tinker in January 2012 after teaching third grade and launching a ceramics program at an arts-integrated school. She holds an M.Ed. in Integrated Teaching Through the Arts (Lesley University), a BA in English Literature (CU Boulder), and brings deep experience in elementary art and education

  • Anika Feldmann

    STUDIO MANAGER

    With a BA in Art and English Literature (CU Boulder) and a Colorado native, Anika has been with Tinker since 2016. She supports both children’s and adult classes, studio operations, and community programming.

  • Julia Zuniga

    CLAYHUB MANAGER

    Holding a BFA in Ceramics and a BA in Education (Florida Atlantic University), Julia taught IB Visual Arts before relocating to Boulder. An apprentice at the Boulder Potter’s Guild, she blends ceramics expertise with mindfulness and educational leadership

  • Alexis Bambach

    EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

    Alexis joined in 2023 with a BA in Mass Communications (University of South Carolina) and prior experience coordinating arts internships and volunteer initiatives. She supports studio administration and community engagement .

  • Ashley Kim

    BIRTHDAY PARTY & CAMP LEAD

    An Elementary Education student at CU Boulder and Colorado native, Ashley brings experience in after-school teaching, nannying, and camp counseling. She leads Saturday birthday parties and summer camp programs with enthusiasm

  • Cris Conklin

    CLAY HUB ADULT HAND-BUILDING TEACHER

    Cris, a CU Boulder alum in Art History, discovered a lifelong passion for clay while studying. A seasoned potter and Boulder Potter’s Guild member, she now teaches hand-building and shares her love of ceramics with students

  • Allie Bundy

    FRONT DESK & YOUTH CLASS LEAD TEACHER

    With a BA in Psychology and English Lit (CU Boulder), Allie is a freelance digital illustrator focused on representation and identity. She manages studio front‑desk operations and teaches youth classes

  • Erin Toomey

    SUMMER CAMP LEAD TEACHER

    Erin holds a BS in Animal Behavior (Towson University) and has a background in performance and education at Walt Disney World. She leads summer camps and inspires creativity through storytelling and arts education

  • Erica Podwoiski

    LEAD ADULT TEACHER (PAINTING & DRAWING)

    Erica, an MFA graduate from CU Boulder, is a figurative artist with a strong background in portraiture and printmaking. She has taught undergrad art at CU and instills a fearless creative approach in her students

  • Grey Grimm

    LEAD ADULT TEACHER & CLAY HUB LEAD

    A Boulder native with a BFA in Fine Art and Art History (CU Boulder), Grey has led chalk murals, restaurant art, and recently completed an artist residency in France. Today, she teaches pastels and leads ceramics programs

  • Jordan Gantos

    CLAY HUB LEAD TEACHER

    Jordan, a studio art BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, specializes in ceramics and community-based teaching. They bring expertise in wheel-throwing, wood-firing, and creative arts education to the studio .

  • Kaitlyn Shirley

    LEAD CHILDREN’S & ADULT TEACHER

    Originally from San Diego, Kaitlyn holds a BA in History (CU Boulder) and a background in Art Education. She teaches mixed media and oil painting for youth and adults, emphasizing feminine themes and Colorado inspirations

  • Kathy Martin

    LEAD CHILDREN’S TEACHER

    With a BA in Dance (Colorado State University) and an MA in Curriculum & Instruction (University of Denver), Kathy brings arts-integrated learning experience to Tinker's children’s programs. She previously taught at an arts magnet elementary school

  • Katie Koch

    CLAY HUB ASSISTANT & TEACHER

    Having taken pottery since 2013, Katie has taught ceramics in Boulder for seven years. Specializing in wheel-throwing and hand-building, she also enjoys hiking and cross-country skiing with her pottery-minded pup, Sophie

  • Mackenzie Reinhart

    SUMMER CAMP TEACHER & FRONT DESK

    A BFA graduate in Studio Arts (CU Boulder) working toward a Visual Arts BA (Naropa University), Mackenzie has tutored young artists for five years. She balances front-desk duties with leading summer camp programs

  • Mariah Stotsky

    ASSISTANT & OFFSITE CAMP INSTRUCTOR

    Mariah holds a BS in Human Development (Colorado State University) and a BFA-in-progress. She has experience teaching preschool through elementary art, plus national kindergarten–grade 1 teaching, now bringing that passion to Tinker’s off-site camps

  • Molly Carroll

    CHILDREN’S TEACHER

    A CSU student with a concentration in Drawing, Molly grew up in Boulder County and explores multiple mediums. She loves working with kids and shares her multidisciplinary talents in the studio

  • Negeen Samimi

    CLAYHUB ASSISTANT & YOUTH TEACHER

    Negeen, a BS graduate in Criminology & Criminal Justice (MSU Denver), rediscovered creativity while traveling through Australia. She teaches drawing, painting, embroidery, and more, balancing art with true-crime interests

  • Landry Saul

    SUMMER CAMP & YOUTH CLASS LEAD

    Landry, an IU Bloomington Media major and CU Boulder student, is passionate about upcycling and creativity. She leads youth programs and summers with an emphasis on sustainability and artistic resourcefulness

  • Randi Nahmias

    SUMMER CAMP & YOUTH CLASS INSTRUCTOR

    With a background in Creative Advertising and Human Development, Randi transitioned from corporate sales to youth art education. She teaches mixed-media, clay, STEM-art fusion, and tie-dye, with a children’s book debuting in 2025

  • Malea Vitt

    SUMMER CAMP INSTRUCTOR

    A middle school art teacher returning to Tinker for camp season, Malea brings classroom experience and a love for guiding young artists. She also enjoys creating personal art and caring for pets

  • Just wanted to tell you again how much the kids enjoyed both Tinker camps they went to. I really love the wonderful, calm, creative atmosphere you've created at Tinker and we've loved everything we've done there, from Open Studio to birthday parties to the camps. Both kids make really interesting things, get exposed to materials they might not use normally, and come home eager to tell me about everything they've done. This week the combination of art, storytelling, music, and theater was particularly great. Tinker is such a wonderful addition to Boulder and I'm so glad you started it.

    Amanda

  • "Elanor makes the science so compelling and easy to listen to! I can't believe I only now discovered their material."

    Larissa O’Connor, MD

  • "Elanor makes the science so compelling and easy to listen to! I can't believe I only now discovered their material."

    Emmett Marsh, PHD

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