Our classes and workshops are taught by an amazing group of volunteers who are passionate about their craft and excited to share their talents with others. These volunteer instructors are working artists and educators with years of experience. Consider working with us.

Current Workshop Instructors:

Maybelle Bennett, Fiber Arts
As the Director of Howard University’s Community Association and the former chair of the DC Zoning Commission, Maybelle Taylor Bennett, is always up for a challenge. While the Shaw neighborhood is not her neighborhood of residence she has shown a deep commitment to the community through her work and exemplary service. It was through this commitment that she learned about ArtSpace.

Maybelle got her start with fibers early in her life from her mom, Ruby Mills Bennett. Since then she has developed an incredible set of skills in the fiber arts. She has graced the ArtSpace program with something she loves to do…getting her hands tangled in thread and teaching others what she has learned. She has an incredible sense to detail and a special sensitivity to working with others who are realizing their creative potential. All of her students know her as the “take it out queen”. She can spot the slightest deviation from a pattern a mile away. Her attention to detail also means that she knows what it takes to intricately bring threads together. Therefore she is the first to praise each student for the success in each step of the project. She has not only taught students to do amazing work, but she has produced many masterpieces, as well. The fiber arts class often takes time for “show and tell”.

For 11 years, Maybelle has faithfully taught many, many students at ArtSpace. 11 years!!!! She has a knack for gathering “heavy” equipment and supplies needed to make a successful fiber arts program. She has remained dedicated thru the many changes and challenges of the ArtSpace program. Maybelle kept ArtSpace alive at times when it looked like the program might not survive. Watching her students succeed and grow in their own creative endeavors is what she is most proud of. But what is most impressive about Maybelle is the way she is able to weave and knit a community through her fiber arts classes. This community that she has helped to create becomes more important than completing a project


Kristian Whipple, Photography
Photographer | Educator | Optimist
For over 15 years Kristian has been involved in outdoor, in-school and out-of-school time education in both rural and inner-city settings. He uses photography as a visual journal to capture his travels, trials, triumphs and defeats, and most importantly, the growth of his young son. Kristian was the coordinator of ArtSpace for 3 years. He has also displayed work at Artomatic.

Youth Instructors:
Larita Massey, Photography
Larita is a fulltime photographer with her company My Level Productions. She works with the students of ABLE every day of the week, helping them develop their photographic eye using film and digital cameras. Larita’s projects with the students have included photo essays on the Shaw community, global identity, self-reflection, and individual perspectives on African American history. Larita and her students’ work has been showcased all over the city.

Lindsay Mulcahy, Elementary Art
Lindsay has enjoyed working with children in various settings and institutions for over 12 years. Her classes at New Community enable her to combine this experience with her passion for art. She strives to empower all students through art by enabling them to view themselves as talented and capable individuals. Lindsay is currently a full-time graduate student at George Mason University, working towards a Masters in Education. She provides fun and stimulating arts and crafts classes at NCFC on a weekly basis.

Curtis Dorseyy, Music
Curtis is a DC-based musician extraordinaire, working with drums, guitar and keyboards. Curtis works with the students of ABLE Monday through Thursday, helping the students with composition, music theory and history, as well as maintenance and repair of instruments.

Allison Gaston-Enholm, Middle school Art

Thanks to our past instructors:

Hope Hodges, Ceramics - Handbuilding

Eve Hennessaa, Ceramics - Wheelwork

Sarah Murphy, Ceramics - Wheelwork

Mark Stovell, Ceramics - Wheelwork

Paul Ryan, Cooking

Michael Wetterauer, Traditional Photography
Soulaf Abas, Watercolor

Maria Firmino-Castillo, Multi-Media Collage

Morgan “Maggie” Machledt, Bookmaking

Korin Leman, Book Making

Ashley Kesling, Traditional Photography

Terry deBardelaben, Ceramics - Wheelwork

Sarah Levin, Ceramics - Wheelwork
Joanie LaPorte, Multi-Media Collage and Holga Photography

Elise Derstine, Traditional Photography 
Young Hahn, Drawing

April Chambers, Book Making