FINE ARTS INSTRUCTORS

 I have been teaching art in different organizations for over 10 years. I am also a practicing artist and amateur photographer. Currently I am also working at the Saint Louis Art Museum in the Education department where I get to plan fun and educational programs for youth and families.  As an interdisciplinary immigrant artist, my goal is to capture the essence of the natural world and create a visual experience for the viewer that sparks emotion. My art process begins with observing through my camera lens, looking beyond the obvious engagement of the subject, and weaving a visual story with acrylics and sometimes mixed media. Using intuition and feeling I approach a blank canvas to tell a story. I use knives, brushes, and a thick layering of color to build textures. Once a few layers are applied, I begin working on the overall composition of the image. At this point, I start to fine-tune the objective of the artwork. The specific details start appearing through symbols, colors, patterns, and abstraction. My artistic journey is deeply connected to my existence: to see, breathe, feel and respond to everything happening around me. My work displays a strong sense of artistry and forward-thinking that is consistent across all my creations.

Shilpa Rao is a Saint Louis based, interdisciplinary artist with experience in teaching and community art, striving to expand artistic horizons, promote multicultural outreach and connect communities through art. She believes Art can bridge gaps in communities, help heal, voice opinions, and spread positivity. Being a certified teaching artist helps her share her passion for art and empower youth with a powerful means of communication. She is inspired by ancient art forms especially rooted in geometric and patterned symmetry. Main components in her work are symmetry, detailed patterns, vibrant colors, and textures. She strives to strike a balance and connection between all the components, creating a meditative imagery that evokes feelings of calm. She has shown her work in invitational art shows, galleries, art fairs, led community art projects, murals, commissioned work and held workshops for various age groups.

Tatiana is a local photographer and media manager. She graduated from Georgetown College in 2019 with a Bachelors in Art and Psychology. Since then she has worked as an Art Teacher in Louisville, KY at Foster Height Elementary School. Now she lives in St. Louis teaching our students all about art! Tatiana loves to inspire the next generation to express themselves through art and enjoy the creative process! Tatiana is excited to be a part of the DaySpring Community!

Ms. Kofman is a multidisciplinary artist with experience teaching sculpture, drawing, jewelry making, and various other arts and crafts. In her art, she upcycles everyday objects to create original works of art. A graduate of the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem, Israel, she holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Larissa has traveled the world and her art is influenced by her experiences. Ms. Kofman is delighted to be part of DaySprings' amazing instructors team.

Kaitlin Wilfing is an artist and curator, receiving her Bachelors of Fine Arts with an emphasis in Painting and Minor in Psychology in 2018 from Webster University in Webster Groves. While getting her undergraduate degree Kaitlin studied abroad twice in Vienna, Austria in 2016 for Psychology and again in 2018 for an artist residency program. Shortly after graduating she became a volunteer, and later the Exhibitions Manager, at the Foundry Art Centre in St. Charles, Missouri. Since the pandemic, Kaitlin has been furthering her fine arts practice in painting and photography, focusing on ideas of identity and historical impacts on art history. She is eager to pass down her knowledge and practices to the next generation of artists.