Our Artist-Educators

Magda has created the dazzling and magical world of Jump Into Art Studios with its open and inviting atmosphere, safe space to create with dozens of classes, workshops and camps for artists of all ages. A California native, Magda brings a peaceful vibe to the studio with an, "Everybody's an artist," philosophy. Teachers teach what they choose, students work at their own pace and everyone can just be in a creative space. With loving-kindness and compassion, all things are possible. Magda runs the studio with a great team of collaborative friends plus sells skincare and pottery - find out more at Magnus McKinney.

Welcome our newest ceramic artist, Alisa Meli, founder of Alisa Meli Studios! She's a seasoned potter and retired art educator with three decades of teaching experience. A McKinney resident since 1999, she dedicated most of her career to elementary Art education in Plano ISD. Alisa’s passion for ceramics shines through her decorative and functional wheel-thrown and hand-built creations, featuring vibrant glazes and textured surface decoration. Prior to her focus on pottery, she explored abstract themes with bold colors in oil painting. Alisa holds a Bachelor of Science in Art Education from Texas State University and a Master of Arts from UNT. Her contributions extend beyond the classroom, having served on the board of directors for the Texas Art Education Association and earning recognition as Texas Outstanding Art Educator in the Elementary Division in 2005. Join her new class on Wednesday nights.

Alison has been teaching art for the better part of 20 years. She’s taught private lessons, summer camps, outreach at the DMA, and 16 years in public elementary schools. In addition to Jump Into Art, Alison is currently teaching at a private school in Dallas. She received her BFA in Studio Art from UT Austin, where her focus was on drawing and painting. Drawing is still Alison’s preferred medium, but she admits to being interested in pretty much all art forms. She loves encouraging artists to explore their imaginations and take a playful approach to artmaking. Alison’s teaching philosophy rests on providing permission for curiosity and exploration within gentle boundaries. Her interests include plants and gardening, thrifting, and adoring the beautiful arts, crafts, and culture of Mexico. Alison has a large loving family with her husband, Nathan, their four creative kiddos, and a big hairy dog named Churro.

Meet Alissa, a lifelong educator and talented artist. She loves to make things with her hands (furniture, jewelry, mixed media art, you name it!) She finds playing with color, hue and texture endlessly enjoyable. 

Alissa specializes in creating safe, fun and funny classes. She evokes safety by helping others to celebrate their strengths and talents, while releasing artistic blocks and self-doubt. Fun shows up because Alissa incorporates movement, storytelling and creative play into each session. The ‘funny’ comes from Alissa’s experiences performing in dramatic and comedic ensembles for over 7 years. Mirth is a lively, lovely part of her teaching style. 

Artistically, she loves taking risks with new techniques and mediums, creating eye-catching mashups. Currently, she specializes in creating intricate mixed media works on small canvases.

Beth is always a studio favorite with her gentle and engaging nature. She's a water colorist, crafter, and all around fabulous educator who works with various programs in the studio. She'll be offering a new spring-time water color basics program and Sip and Paint and Create on Friday Nights!

Britt is an intuitive artist, therapeutic holographic healer, medical massage therapist, sound medicine practitioner and all around fantastic being that teaches classes, workshop, offers private healing sessions (in her BRAND new upstairs studio) and group sound bowl medicine. She's big reason you feel our high vibe energy when you walk in the door. Book privately with her here  or book Sound Healing with Britt.

Cassie is a retired art educator from Glen Oaks Elementary is warm hearted, kind, helpful and uplifting. "Watching student's hearts and talents grow with excitement as they create," as she teaches new techniques in sketching and painting. Her classes include Drawing and Painting plus the ever popular program Homeschool Art, Art and More Art and after school Art, Art and More Art.

Deanna, a retired elementary art teacher is engaging, artsy, fun, vivacious, and gives young artists new and interesting ways to think of creativity. Deanna offers classes in adult workshops in Glass Fusing 101 plus homeschool art and after school classes in our Art, Art and More Art program.

Emily is a joyous and light hearted educator and artist who engages with her students on many levels. A native of Maine, Emily enjoys travel, hiking, camping, the great outdoors as well as playing in the clay studio with her friends and students. Emily teaches artists of all ages in Homeschool Art Art and More Art, The Clay Classroom, Sip and Throw and our ever popular adult pottery classes.

Heather is a full time project manager who balances out her week (and her brain) by stepping into the studio to teach and create. A Texas native and mom, she is a self-taught, multi-media artist who dabbles in all things creative - but is absolutely passionate about resin art in all forms. "There is something about bringing the dimensions of a piece to life through the use of resin, sketches, and paint that fulfills me. And being able to guide others to just let go, create and embrace the imperfection of art - well, that is an incredible feeling." 

Heather currently teaches Art Drop In, has tons of fun hosting parties, and is teaching a Multi-media & Resin workshop. Check out her work and connect with her on Instagram - @heddlemon_art.

Jeff is an artist known for creating representational western bronzes as well as monumental bronze commissions.

His many awards include the 2007 Cowboy Artists of America's Award for Emerging Artist, Phippen art show, Prescott, AZ, as well as numerous other awards such as best of show, first place sculpture, and others. His works are in several prestigious collections, including the Pearce Collection of Western Art, in Corsicana, TX, and the Greeley Stampede in Greeley, CO. Jeff sculpted a portrait bust of Charles Goodnight which is now on display at the Charles Goodnight Historical Center in Claude, TX. Jeff is an artist at Masterpiece Gallery in Santa Fe, NM. Jeff has recently completed a sculpture of James Butler Bonham, a hero of the Alamo, commissioned by Texas governor Rick Perry. His two day workshop Form of the Human Head takes place in September, don't miss this!

Joe is retired educator, potter, sculptor, welder, painter and former studio operator at the Chicken Farm Art Center in San Angelo, Texas. He recently moved to Providence Village, Texas to be closer to grandchildren and continue his love and passion for the arts. With a bachelor's degree in Kinesiology and Biology, Joe spent 24 years at Central High School in San Angelo where he taught Biology, Ceramics, Drawing, AP Sculpture, and Art I. He was also the director of the Visual Arts Scholastic Event for Region 15 and taught various art day camps at the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts. Joe operated a studio at The Chicken Farm Art Center for sixteen years where he specialized in Raku pottery, mild steel sculptures and his signature Gorilla Glue paintings. Other signature pieces include bottle cap snakes, face mugs, Whistlers, Dancers, Beach Babes and Phish. Joe's raku and alternative firing program offers Copper Raku, Crackle glaze Raku, Horse Hair, Sagger Fire and Naked Raku. Join Joe's pottery class here.

Meet artist Karren Case, a member and studio artist at LAST Art Gallery in downtown McKinney.  Her art experience includes watercolors, acrylics, oils, alcohol inks. Her current passion is painting with oils and cold wax using palette knives. She is a member of the Art Club of McKinney and the McKinney Plein Air Society. Karren has participated in art exhibitions locally for several years. She and her husband moved to McKinney in 2012 from Louisiana and are very happy to now call this area “home”.  Join Karren's workshops in alcohol ink Mixed Media Batik, or Gelli Plate classes.

Katey brings the fun to functional art! As a passionate potter, wood worker, painter, business design consultant, interior and web designer, she sees the beauty of art in many different spaces. She leads by creating warm and inclusive spaces for all to let their inner creative shine. Join Katey for a Sip and Throw Pottery Party, Private Pottery Party, Fairy House Workshop and other fabulous things.

Meet artist, Kathy from URBAN ALPACAS, a local Alpaca farm in Royse City. Kathy teaches classes in all things felted wool and we're excited to offer her programs at the studio. Some classes and camps have Sawyer, the Alpaca Mascot tagging along -  Kathy has run Urban Alpacas since it was established in 2013. Wet Felting Workshops

Urban Alpacas is a fun, fiber farm that loves to share its alpacas with the world!

Urban Alpacas specializes in farm tours along with educational fiber classes and alpaca experiences, plus sharing how to care for these sweet animals and how to process their fiber. The farm sits on two acres in Royse City, Texas. Over the years, the farm has grown with 10 alpacas, 31 free range chickens and 3 barn cats. Join her fabulous wet felting classes here.

Like others on our teaching staff, Kay is super creative with fiber arts,  metal smithing, jewelry, cloisonné, photography, framing, stained glass, etching, mosaics and pottery. Clay is her favorite medium and she's been teaching and inspiring others for more than a decade. We are lucky to have found Kay with her peaceful and warm spirit, know-how and easy to follow guidance. Join her Tuesday Pottery 6:30-9pm class, you won't be disappointed!

Linda of Linda Bonner Studio has enjoyed creating from a very young age with sewing and fiber arts projects. She's a constant sell out in the international Art-O-Mat  (new art sold in an old fashioned, updated cigarette machine) - and is continuously creating and developing new miniature art concepts. She's an active member of the McKinney Art Club as well as Dallas Area Fiber Artists. "I have a passion for sharing creativity with others; watching them bloom and encouraging them is my great joy!"  She's offering Collage 101 and tiny art - a great class!

Lisa is a studio artist and teacher that brings so much to the house including a love of all things multimedia plus mosaics, jewelry and painting; "I love creating and inspiring others. There is something very gratifying in making something beautiful out of bits, pieces and ingredients. I enjoy time in my kitchen, my garden, and my art studio. It makes me so happy." Her background is varied with singing, theatre, acting, producing and she's even a playwright! And recently she's become a master gardner, too and readily admits that she enjoys playing in the dirt. Lisa leads Kids Create Workshops and Sip and Paint and Create , Landscape Paint Panels, and Multimedia 6 week class.

Meet Lisa Shepherd with over 35 years of teaching and art experience. She views herself as a life-long learner and sees art in everything. Lisa has a degree in art, a Multiple-Subject Elementary Teaching Credential, an Art Teaching Credential and a Masters in Effective Instruction. During her years in the public school system, she was recognized and awarded three times as Teacher of the Year.

Lisa’s passion is using art to connect learning and plans to use her experiences in engineering focused learning to offer STEAM-based and growth mind set learning opportunities.

Martha is our in-house art house manager, chief financial officer and the glue that keeps Jump Into Art Studios running - she's an artist, crafter, helper, healer, solver-of-problems, carpenter and accountant. Martha makes the art house a better place! She also handles billing so any inquires should be directed to her.

Meet Michele, our newest educator to the studio with her gentle and kind demeanor, we can't wait for you to meet her! Michele is a seasoned educator; working with children ages 5 and up the past 34 years. She's teaching Wax Sachet Classes and she first experimented with wax projects leading a Kindergarten class at a local museum in her own home town. They were all successful at dipping candles and Michele’s love of crafting with wax was born.

Michele retired as an elementary school teacher, music studio leader, drawing instructor, and summer arts and crafts director and moved to McKinney to enjoy her youngest grandchild’s infancy. After more than five years, that long long-term visit has become her permanent home. And while making art with grandchildren is still one of her favorite things to do, sharing her craft making talents with lots more children and adults has become even more fun!

Sarah is a semi-retired speech-language pathologist and full time homeschooling mom who has a lifelong passion for learning and all things crafty. Her hobbies include road trips with her family, collecting rescue animals, and learning to garden. A native of San Diego, Sarah has lived in Texas more than half of her life and now prefers her chili without beans. New Sewing 101 classes starting in September plus Wednesdays Art, Art and More Art with homeschoolers and afterschool sessions - yay!

Scout finds beauty in everything she touches from painting, pencils, body art, tattooing to her Dallas area murals. Her work is on display at the Bath House and Wright Art Twin Gallery.

​Scout joins us from Philadelphia, PA after attending art college for education and graphic design. Scout teacher various art programs including Drawing and Still Life, summer camp and more.

Sheena is a lovely pottery teacher in the studio with years and years of experience working with clay and ceramics. Sheena's a Texas native, mother of twin girls, Girl Scout troop leader and all around awesome human that loves throwing large functional vessels with vibrant and brilliant hues. She offers all level adult pottery classes on Tuesday mornings and Thursday evenings.

Sheri is a local and award winning artist and a professional educator for 20+ years. She is most known for her flowing, happy, bright, colorful and primitive art. Her art is shown throughout Collin County and is available for sale at McKinney Art Gallery on the McKinney downtown square. Sherri brings her enthusiasm into the studio with her Happy Art program as she leads students with joy. Sherri  is an avid photographer and creator of the Facebook group McKinney Photo of the Day. Her desire to inspire, create and touch the lives of those around her makes her a great addition to our art school! Be sure to check out her newest workshop, Wine Wednesdays and Art.

Wendy runs Caldwell Elementary School Art Department and is a breath of fresh artistic air - she can create anything! She's been an inspiration at our studio since we've started running art parties, summer camps, The Clay Classroom, pottery classes and more!