arts for all nevada

Arts for All Nevada is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in Reno, seeking to integrate the exploration of arts and culture into the lives of all, starting with our own community. We offer a variety of quality fine art classes to the public, implement art programs in the school systems, and steward  the historic Lake Mansion responsibly as a community center for exploration of arts and culture. While our emphasis is on those who have a disability, are disadvantaged, at-risk, or underserved by the arts, we recognize that every individual in our community has a role to play in the arts. People of all ages, skill levels, backgrounds, and experience can find their place at Arts for All Nevada, as our classes and programs focus on a variety of different art movements and media including visual art, creative movement, drama, and literary expression. We envision a world unified by the arts, where communities engage, create, and grow together.

OUR VALUES

ACCESSIBILITY

The freedom to make and appreciate art, regardless of age, ability, or circumstance, should be given to all. Arts for All Nevada prioritizes making art accessible to anyone, no matter what obstacles they might face.

EXPRESSION

Artists should have the freedom to express themselves authentically through imagination, creation, and exhibition. Art has the power to give everyone a voice, a means of self-expression, and the power to grow themselves and the world around them.

Empowerment

The arts can give individuals the opportunity to grow their skills, self-esteem, and creativity – a chance to focus on ability rather than disability. Not only do we value acceptance here at Arts for All Nevada, but we take it a step further and intentionally encourage those involved in our programs.

DIVERSITY

We understand that a complete appreciation of the arts requires a complete appreciation of diversity in histories, cultures, and experiences. Arts for All Nevada seeks diversity in our staff, board, art educators and students alike, recognizing that our art forms, expressions, and artistic interpretations are stronger when we acknowledge many perspectives.

OUR VALUES

ACCESSIBILITY

The freedom to make and appreciate art, regardless of age, ability, or circumstance, should be given to all. Arts for All Nevada prioritizes making art accessible to anyone, no matter what obstacles they might face.

EXPRESSION

Artists should have the freedom to express themselves authentically through imagination, creation, and exhibition. Art has the power to give everyone a voice, a means of self-expression, and the power to grow themselves and the world around them.

Empowerment

The arts can give individuals the opportunity to grow their skills, self-esteem, and creativity – a chance to focus on ability rather than disability. Not only do we value acceptance here at Arts for All Nevada, but we take it a step further and intentionally encourage those involved in our programs.

DIVERSITY

We understand that a complete appreciation of the arts requires a complete appreciation of diversity in histories, cultures, and experiences. Arts for All Nevada seeks diversity in our staff, board, art educators and students alike, recognizing that our art forms, expressions, and artistic interpretations are stronger when we acknowledge many perspectives.

OUR VALUES

ACCESSIBILITY

The freedom to make and appreciate art, regardless of age, ability, or circumstance, should be given to all. Arts for All Nevada prioritizes making art accessible to anyone, no matter what obstacles they might face.

EXPRESSION

Artists should have the freedom to express themselves authentically through imagination, creation, and exhibition. Art has the power to give everyone a voice, a means of self-expression, and the power to grow themselves and the world around them.

Empowerment

The arts can give individuals the opportunity to grow their skills, self-esteem, and creativity – a chance to focus on ability rather than disability. Not only do we value acceptance here at Arts for All Nevada, but we take it a step further and intentionally encourage those involved in our programs.

DIVERSITY

We understand that a complete appreciation of the arts requires a complete appreciation of diversity in histories, cultures, and experiences. Arts for All Nevada seeks diversity in our staff, board, art educators and students alike, recognizing that our art forms, expressions, and artistic interpretations are stronger when we acknowledge many perspectives.

HISTORY

Arts for All Nevada was founded in 1986 under the name of Very Special Arts Nevada. Our goal was to coordinate with the community’s art organizations to produce art festivals that involved day-long artistic activities, hands-on art experiences, and live performances. Over the years, our involvement with the community grew, and our mission expanded into preserving the historic Lake Mansion as a community center for the exploration of arts and culture. In 2015 we renamed ourselves Arts for All Nevada to better represent our core mission, and we now facilitate the integration of art and culture into the lives of all people in Nevada by offering a variety of quality fine art classes to the public, and implementing art programs into the school systems.

vision

We envision a world unified by the arts, where communities engage, create, and grow together.

We envision a world unified by the arts. Participation and appreciation of the arts would be encouraged in every community, and art would be prioritized in every individual’s daily experience and education.
Quality art learning experiences that are specifically designed for students with disabilities would be just as accessible as art learning experiences designed for those without disabilities.
Every art educator would be prepared and equipped to not only include students who have disabilities in their instruction, but to serve them well through specialized curriculum.
Accessibility gaps in the arts would be completely bridged. Thoughtful and effective art curriculums and programs would be available, funded, and initiated in every school district in every community, reaching those of all ability levels and income levels.

OUR PROGRAMS

People of all ages, skill levels, backgrounds, and experience can find their place at Arts for All Nevada, as our classes and programs focus on a variety of different art movements and media including visual art, creative movement, drama, and literary expression.
See our list of programs offered below. Many of our programs are free of charge for the participant. For questions regarding programs, call 826-6100 ext. 3#, [email protected]

American Sign Language in the Arts
Artist in Residency
Art Adventures After-School Program
Art Classes for Youth and Adults
Family Arts and Cultural Festival Series
Renown Pediatrics Program
Artown’s Summer Arts Festival, Discover the Arts Series
Creativity Camps for Kids

Early Childhood Education
Holiday Party for Youth in Transition
Kononia Family Services
Lake Mansion Preservation
Lake Mansion Tours
Little Library
Lovelock Arts Festival
Arts Education in General Education Classrooms

Monday Art Makers
Renown Behavioral Services
Renown Rehabilitation Hospital
Scholarships
Sierra Nevada Journeys
Team Up/21st Century
Weekly Wonders/Leisure without Limits

TEACHERS

Arts for All Nevada‘s Teaching Artists are professionals with expertise in one or more art disciplines. They are skilled in working with children, youth, adults and classroom teachers in both educational and recreational settings. They are familiar and comfortable working with various abilities and ages, and are experienced in adapting their instruction and techniques to reach all learners.

GET TO KNOW OUR TEACHERS

Alison Lee

Art has been a constant in Alison’s life ever since her mother inspired her to follow her dreams. She went on to study at Sierra Nevada College where she achieved a BFA in Printmaking, as well as a Masters of Arts in Education. After college, Alison mastered the art of picture framing by working in an art gallery and frame shop in Incline Village. She went on to be a visual arts educator for 20 years focusing on nurturing her students’ creativity. In 2023, she transitioned to becoming a creative art coach and developing her small business, Earth Studio Arts. Alison strives to support everyone’s individual creative journeys through her passion for art.

Anastassia Manoussova

Anastassia was born and raised in Moscow, Russia. She graduated with a master’s degree in arts and education from the Teachers University of Moscow and began teaching. She then became a curator at the Museum of Musical Culture of Moscow and developed her skills as an artist, her work belonging to many collections throughout Europe. Anastassia moved to California in 2002, teaching art in local schools, giving private lessons, and showcasing her work in galleries. Anastassia’s execution of her subject matter, be it contemporary, still life, or landscape shows a deep understanding of the classic arts and culture that is so much a part of her. Her artistic ability is combined with her vast education and knowledge of art history, technique, and culture.

Carol Brown

Carol Brown has a Certificate in Printmaking at the Glassell School of Art at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, Texas, and a B.S. degree in Clothing & Textiles from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma. She was accepted in an intensive, three-week graphic art workshop, ‘Back to Basics’, during the summer of 2008 in Basel, Switzerland. Carol works from her studio in Reno, Nevada, and has received several grants from the Nevada Arts Council. Her work is in several private and public art collections. She and has expanded her medium from Japanese Woodblock Printing (mokuhanga) to creating hand-made paper art installations and teaching workshops in mokuhanga printmaking and paper-making.

Cheryl Johnson

Cheryl has a Master’s in Education and is a National Board Certified Teacher. She recently retired from the Washoe County School District where she taught K-4th for 35 years. She is skilled at integrating art across all facets of academic curricula, with a particular passion for weaving together art and literacy.

Desi Barrett

Desi studied at Truckee Meadows Community College before moving on to Portland Community College and Portland State University. She has extensive experience teaching art at a variety of schools, art museums, and community arts organizations.

Galina Milton

Galina is from Lugansk, Ukraine, but spent much of her childhood admiring the culture and art of Kyiv and St. Petersburg. She has a Masters of Fine Arts specializing in figurative painting, and her favorite subjects to paint are the subtle moments that define people in their daily lives. She teaches part-time at Truckee Meadows Community College, Lake Tahoe Community College, and Arts For All Nevada in Reno, striving to nurture the next generation of artists.

Hazel Hamilton

Coming Soon!

Heather Boni

Heather has a master of Fine Arts in Dance with a specialty in Arts and Community Engagement from Florida State University. She studied dance in France and Italy. She worked as an Arts Integration Specialist for the Orange County Charter Schools and was the Director of the 21st Century Project., both in Orlando, Florida. She later served as a Teaching Artist for the Smith Center for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas, NV.

Julia Flippo

Julia is a graduate student in art at the University of Nevada, Reno who works primarily in graphite and charcoal, but has spanned across many mediums including sculpture, collage, printmaking, watercolor, and acrylic. While Julia was born and raised in Sacramento, California, she has deep family roots in Reno, where she also obtained her Bachelors of Art in drawing at UNR. Julia is advocacy-driven, believing that drawing is an inherent part of being human, thus she encourages others to discover and embrace their unique individual artistic sensibilities.

Karen Hayes

Karen earned an Advanced Placement Art Scholarship and received her B.A. and M.A. in the metropolitan Los Angeles area. She taught K12 through University-level Fine Arts classes. She enjoys recreational painting instruction, creating custom graphics, and especially unique projects like Trompe L’oeil murals.

Karena Elise

Karena is a self-taught abstract painter, fine art photographer, and singer. After exploring mediums throughout her life, she found a home in abstract painting. Its freedom, movement, and expressive qualities mirror her own values in life.  Karena holds a certification in song-leading and enjoys sharing her love of music with anyone who wants to learn. With Arts for All Nevada, Karena is excited to bring large-scale abstracts to adult students and to bring her skills to plant the seeds of creativity in children.

Lorna Denton

Lorna has Degrees in Arts in  Art and Design from several universities in the UK, including West Surrey College of Art and Design, Middlesex University, and Portsmouth College. She was The Head of the Art Department at St. Luke’s School and Oakmead College of Technology before coming to Reno. Since 2001, she has been an educator with Arts for All Nevada and Sierra Fine Arts Foundation. She continues to do commissions in Reno, the UK, and Canada.

Mark Tyler

Mark is a retired teacher with a Masters degree in Special Education. He has been interested in art his whole life, having taken art classes from high school through adulthood. Before becoming a teaching artist with Arts for All Nevada, he taught special education for 34 years. Mark's skill as an artist spans across various mediums, including watercolors, pastels, pencils, printmaking, acrylics, and more. He loves providing art instruction to individuals with disabilites.

Melanie Hoen

Melanie Hoen is a French-American multimedia artist with a Bachelor's Degree in Art and Design. Influenced by a strong interest in High Fantasy, cinema, and storytelling, she decided to major in illustration and animation. After graduating, she relocated to Reno where she eventually started working at Arts for All Nevada's offices. Later on, she transitioned to a Teaching Artist position and has since then taught classes to many students in the Reno community. Melanie has had a strong passion for the arts from an early age and enjoys creating in a variety of mediums, including digital art, traditional drawing, painting, and sculpting. She loves to help her students tap into their own passions and refine their technical skills while keeping the learning process open, playful, and fun.

Monica Pang

Monica is a dedicated art educator/teaching artist with a strong passion for fostering creativity and artistic expression in learners of all ages. With a background in Human Development and Family Science, she understands how art can be a powerful tool for personal growth and community engagement. Monica is committed to creating inclusive and inspiring environments where students can explore different mediums, develop their skills, and express their individuality. She promotes a lifelong love of learning by designing dynamic experiences that spark curiosity and imagination. Her approach, whether through hands-on workshops or educational content, is grounded in empathy, innovation, and a deep love for the arts.

Patty Lassaline

Patty Lassaline is a multi-media artist with a Bachelor of Fine Arts.  She majored in ceramic arts and continues to create art as a professional, selling her pottery, cards from paintings, and beadwork. Patty finds great joy in offering a judgement-free atmosphere as an art teacher. She enjoys assisting others in finding their own inner artist while expressing themselves with play and fun in every project.

Sophie Ralston

Sophie is a visual artist and musician/singer-songwriter inspired by human quirks, nature, and all things whimsical. Born and raised in Reno, Nevada, Ralston spent many free-time hours of her youth drawing and was awarded the Muriel Goodwin Corbett Art Scholarship. After obtaining a B.A. in anthropology with a minor in art (digital media) from UNR, she self-released two original music CDs and performed in the U.S., Canada, England, and Australia. Current mediums of interest include watercolor, photography, and upcycled plastic.

Suellen Turman

Suellen has enjoyed the exploration of teaching art to students of all ages throughout her life. She began teaching in Oregon, where she received tenure at Western Oregon University. She moved to Reno and shifted her focus to being a foster/adoptive mother. In Nevada, she taught in community colleges and the Coral Academy of Science, where she retired in 2023. Her drawings and paintings explore the human condition through symbolic abstraction, figures, and portraiture. She also pursues interests in sculpture, printmaking, dance, words, gardening, and hiking.

Vivian Olds

Vivian has a Masters in Arts Education from Lesley University, and a B.A. in Theater from UNR. Vivian loves inspiring her students to follow their creative spirit in all forms of art, and she is an owner of the art gallery Desert Light Arts. She has received several honors and awards including a Fulbright Memorial Fund Scholarship and several Nevada Arts Council grants.

STAFF

GET TO KNOW OUR STAFF AND BOARD

JACKIE CLAY

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

FRANCESCA FRADIANNI

PROGRAM MANAGER

eva lerud

During the school year K-12
"arts in education" coordinator

Iva Maurin

Communications & Community Outreach Coordinator

VOLUNTEER BOARD OF DIRECTORs

Jean Nichols, President

Joyce Thompson, Vice President

Glennis Bishop, Secretary

Daniel Maffett, Treasurer

Mara Langer

Kendall Nolan

Leah Whittler

If you are interested in joining the Arts for All Nevada Board of Directors please send a letter of inquiry to [email protected]

PARTNERS

marshall r. matley foundation
robert z. hawkins foundation
bretzlaff foundation

SUPPORT US

As a community-based organization, Arts for All Nevada depends on support from individuals, corporations, foundations, and organizations across Nevada. Our partners make it possible to provide arts opportunities to all and to preserve and maintain the historic Lake Mansion.