Who We Are
What is The Art Spark?
The Art Spark is a women-owned children’s art studio sparking creativity since 2010! Founded by Emily DiNardo and Jacquelyn Hoffman, we’re now proudly located in downtown Montgomery above Elizabeth Grace Home.
Kids dive into hands-on art adventures—painting murals, sculpting miniatures, and imagining the impossible! In addition to classes for many ages, we offer camps, birthday parties, and special events. We also bring after-school programs to schools across the city, inspiring curiosity and creativity in every young artist.
Who Are We?
The Art Spark works to nurture the child as a whole by fostering a creative environment where children use unique brainstorming techniques to develop their individual ideas, and work as a team. We truly believe our classes offer children the best quality art classes in the city.
What is A Spark?
A spark is the most valuable moment of a child’s creative experience. When children create art in our classroom, they will constantly ignite “sparks”, or ideas. As the sparks develop, your child will:
- Solve problems creatively
- Gain confidence
Emily DiNardo
Co-Owner
Graduated with her BFA in Art Education with a focus in 2-D Studies from Bowling Green State University. She is passionate about helping children explore the creative process and develop an appreciation of art that can last a lifetime. Her favorite thing about The Art Spark is that it allows space for children to solve problems using their imagination! When not at The Art Spark, Emily loves throwing on the wheel, cooking, and snow skiing. Emily is also a mother and loves watching her kids grow and explore the world around them.
Co-Owner
Jacquelyn Hoffman
Graduated with her BS in Art Education with a minor in Educational Leadership from Miami University. She has refined her skills in painting and printmaking, but she is most passionate about teaching different art forms to children of all ages. Her favorite thing about teaching at The Art Spark is providing children with lasting memories that will instill imagination and creativity into their future endeavors. Jacquelyn is also a watercolor artist and sells her pet portraits all over the USA! When she’s not teaching or painting, she’s spending time with her husband and two cats, cooking, reading, or enjoying time with her family!
Meet Our Team!
Terri Graff
Graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a BA in English Literature and a minor in Creative Writing. She had a a great career being a Montessori Assistant Teacher for over sixteen years and is influenced by her Montessori background while working at Art Spark! She enjoys the spontaneity and joy that children find at our studio. When Terri is not teaching, she enjoys gardening, reading and having fun with her two silly dogs, Phoebe and Phaedra. She’s also Jacquelyn’s (co-owner’s) mom!
Caroline McKenzie
Caroline is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a minor in Art History and an Art Education Certificate at the University of Cincinnati's DAAP program. Her primary focus is sculpture, but she also enjoys drawing and painting. Passionate about encouraging children to explore the limitless possibilities of their creativity, Caroline brings her enthusiasm to The Art Spark. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, creating multimedia art, and spending time with her new cat, Cinder.
Maddie Fair
Maddie is pursuing a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts with a certificate in Art Education at the University of Cincinnati’s DAAP program. She enjoys working with a variety of mediums, including ceramics, painting, and sculpture. She is passionate about inspiring children and fostering their love of art. In her free time, Maddie enjoys reading, hiking, and spending quality time with her friends and family.
Alex Copenhaver
Alex is pursing a Master of Arts in Art Education as well as a Minor in Art History at the University of Cincinnati in their DAAP Program. His primary focus is in sculpture and 2D but also loves working with any and all mediums. He loves teaching others about art and seeing their eyes light up with joy and creativity when they create a pieces they’re proud of! When not at Art Spark Alex enjoys reading, being outside, hanging out with his friends or playing with his dogs Rocky and Remi.
Esther Medlin
A sophomore in the UC DAAP program, she has taken an interest in art from a young age and incorporates it into her every day life. While Esther loves making all kinds of art, she tends to lean towards oil painting and drawing when she sells her art. She works with lots of kids inside and outside of Art Spark as she babysits and coaches gymnastics each week. She enjoys watching kids creativity run wild and problem solve on their own. When Esther isn’t making art, she enjoys gardening, hiking, and spending time with her two cats, Sushi and Basil.
Abby Sheard
A sophomore at Sycamore High School, who loves creating art projects with a variety of mediums from clay to watercolors. So far in her high school career, she has taken many art classes and hopes to continue to take more. Abby loves to watch students at The Art Spark express their creativity and discover a love for art, just like she did when she was their age (she herself was a Sparkler from age 5-10!). When she is not at The Art Spark, Abby enjoys running cross country, spending time with friends, and being outside.
Audrey Betran
Audrey is a junior at Ursuline Academy who loves to do art in all sorts of mediums but specifically pencil. She also plays tennis for her school and is in publications. In addition to working with little Sparklers, she loves to babysit and hang with her little cousins! She enjoys seeing kids grow up with creative mindsets and learn new ways to make friends and art. Outside of work she enjoys reading and hanging out with friends. She has two French bulldogs names Percy and Nora who she love so much!
Molly Gressle
Molly is a student at the University of Cincinnati pursuing a master's in art education. She has a BFA from Xavier University with concentrations in sculpture and ceramics. Molly’s main medium is ceramics, but she loves to work with multiple media in multiple different styles. She loves getting to share art with others and teaching different techniques and mediums. When she's not at The Art Spark, she loves hiking, running, and spending time with her cat and dog, Hurman and Lucy.