I am Olivia Vander Tuig. I’ve lived in Ann Arbor my entire life and am attending the University of Michigan in the Residential College for creative writing. I volunteer for FLY because I believe in the ideas put forth and I believe in the creativity kids have within them.  I like old cameras, pretty coats and nice pens.

John Vance has been drawing since he was a child, and thinks that this is the way to go. He has a bachelor of fine arts degree in illustration, and has spent time working with a ymca arts program with kids aged 4-13, and most recently taught english in japan to adults as well as children. He is currently providing individualized art instruction in ann arbor  and volunteering for FLY during the friday workshops. In his free time he likes to paint and listen to music!

Christie McWilliams recently moved to Michigan from Texas, where she taught junior high, high school, and college English for 13 years.  Currently she is writing her dissertation which focuses on gifted and talented education in order to complete her doctorate.  Additionally, she serves as an educational consultant, providing individualized and small-group enrichment activities and field trips for children as well as serving as a resource and advocate for parents.

Josh is currently taking classes at Washtenaw Community College, majoring in photography and graphic design. He is the son of the Director of FLY, Ruth Marks.

My name is Jordan Griffin, and I graduated in the Spring of 2009 with a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts Photography from the Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids, Michigan and currently residing in Ypsilanti, MI. I am working as an intern at the Ann Arbor Art Center, and am presently putting together a fundraiser gallery show to raise money for the Art Center’s “Art For Kids” program – a program that provides tuition and supplies to kids whose parent’s can’t afford it on their own. I love photography, as well as all modes of creative expression. I’m well-traveled and have had the opportunity to travel and experience cultures and their art abroad; my most recent venture being to Belgium and the Netherlands. One day I hope to own and operate my own gallery to promote up and coming artists and workshops that enlighten, much like the Ann Arbor Art Center and FLY organizations.

I graduated from Wayne State University with a Bachelors in Fine Arts in metals and currently work in a custom jewelry store in downtown Birmingham.  Even though making jewelry will always be my passion, I recently fell in love with weaving and working with textiles.

Roshani “Row” Adhikary graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a bachelor’s in Literature, Language & Writing. After hopping from country to country she is now back in her home-state of Michigan where she is currently attending Grad School. Ro joins FLY with a passion for art and children. Her favorite artists are Egon Schiele and Frida Kahlo, respectively.

Michelle L. Shankwiler is a local artist ( formerly the owner of Shankwiler 123 Gallery in Depot Town). Where she ran Free Fun Art Fridays for kids of all ages thrugh the summer of 2009. She also helped the RAC with their kids art classes at numerous times. She is the mother of 2 amazing children, a lifetime Ypsilanti resident, a student @ EMU (Fine art/ management / computer science) and someone who just loves to work on art projects with the kids.

Jeanne Kero has a BFA from the University of Michigan. For 17 years she has been a business owner in Advertising/Marketing/Graphic Design. Her hobbies are  painting, reading, making art books, photography, being outside–walking, biking, rollerblading, gardening. Jeanne has 3 grown children–2 daughters and 1 son and 2 granddaughters–almost 12 and 7 months.
“I think it’s important to provide an environment for children (and adults) to take risks with their creativity.”