About ArtsClub

ArtsClub brings people together to learn about, discuss and create artwork. Our events are designed to harness the power of art to inspire new ideas, conversations and connections. Founded in 2018, ArtsClub now has studios in NY and DC and hosts hundreds of events every year. No experience is necessary to enjoy ArtsClub events — only a desire to express yourself and get to know others through the process of discussing and creating artwork.

We’d love to hear from you!

If you have a question, idea, or would like to book a private event, you can reach out to our team for a quick response. We’re here to make your experience seamless.

For general inquiries or questions about public events, reach out to ellie@artsclubstudios.com.

For private event bookings, reach out to cydney@artsclubstudios.com. For the fastest turnaround time, call 201-431-2353.

 

East Village Studio

311 East 3rd St
New York, NY

 

Dupont Circle Studio

1621 Connecticut Ave NW, 3rd Fl
Washington DC

The ArtsClub Team

Management

  • A woman with long brown hair and a black coat sitting on a blue sofa with a patterned scarf, smiling at the camera, in an indoor setting with shelves in the background.

    Jackie Dropp

    Founder & CEO

    Jackie is the Founder & CEO of ArtsClub, established in 2018. An art historian with a background in modern and contemporary art, she holds a Master’s from Christie’s Education and has worked with leading galleries, auction houses, and art fairs in New York and London. Inspired by her belief in art as a catalyst for connection and fresh thinking, Jackie founded ArtsClub to foster creativity, community, and new ways of seeing the world.

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  • Cydney Williams

    Chief Creative Officer

    Cydney leads ArtsClub’s creative development, shaping its artistic vision and programming. A painter and mixed media artist with extensive teaching experience, she studied Art Education at the University of Vermont, earned her Pre-K- 12 teaching license, and refined her practice under the mentorship of accomplished artists while deepening her work as an educator. In addition to her visual art practice, Cydney is a yoga teacher with over a decade of experience, and brings a holistic perspective to her work, emphasizing creativity as a powerful tool for expression, connection, and well-being.

    Contact

  • Portrait of a woman with short black hair, wearing a black shirt, gold necklaces, and smiling in front of a white background.

    Megan Nugroho

    Private Events Manager

    Megan is the Private Events Manager at ArtsClub Studios. A practicing artist specializing in drawing and printmaking, she brings a deeply creative perspective to her role. After spending time in Chicago for her Bachelors, Megan relocated to New York to earn her MFA degree from NYU Steinhardt. Her background spans gallery sales as well as teaching college-level studio courses in printmaking and drawing. At her core, Megan is passionate about supporting fellow artists and enriching people’s lives through the possibilities of creative endeavors.

    Contact

  • A young woman with long wavy blonde hair, blue eyes, and hoop earrings is smiling at the camera. She is wearing a maroon turtleneck and a black jacket, with a blurred city street background with colorful lights.

    Ellie Kurlander

    Events & Partnerships Manager

    Ellie is the Events and Partnerships Manager for ArtsClub’s New York and D.C. locations. She began her artistic career developing teen and youth programming at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, GA. She holds a B.A. in Art History and Government from William & Mary and has dedicated over eight years to working across museums, galleries, and artists’ studios. As an artist and an art historian, her work focuses on the intersection of contemporary art and activism. She is thrilled to help foster community, spark dialogue and inspire creativity at ArtsClub.

    Contact

  • A man with short hair and beard wearing a striped maroon, white, and gray shirt, standing against a plain gray wall.

    Fernando Pedroza

    Studio Manager

    Fernando is a multidisciplinary artist whose work delves into themes of mental health, identity, and sexuality. A B.F.A. graduate from Oregon College of Art and Craft, he blends diverse materials with intricate linework and color to explore the human psyche.

NY Art Instructors

  • A woman with long black hair wearing an orange and black patterned sleeveless top, sitting in front of a colorful, abstract art background that includes circular shapes, a tree branch, and vibrant painted clouds.

    Orange Li

    Studio Art Instructor

    Orange is a painter, jeweler and mixed media artist. She earned an M.F.A. from the School of Visual Arts, NY, and a B.A. in Economics from Soochow University. Her work draws from memories, dreams, and the intuitive link between body and psychology. She explores nature, time-space travel, herstory, and the relationship between art, spirituality, and storytelling.

  • A woman with long dark hair in a braid, wearing a black shirt and gray apron, standing in front of a pink and red abstract painting.

    Saba Farhoudnia

    Studio Art Instructor

    Saba Farhoudnia is an Iranian artist exploring the human experience through drawing, painting, language, and gesture. She holds degrees from the University of Science and Culture in Tehran and MICA in Baltimore. Her work has shown internationally, including at the Bronx Museum, Make Room LA, Fou Gallery NY, Art Market Budapest, and ART021 Shanghai.

  • Close-up of a young man with brown hair and a beard, wearing a black shirt, standing against a textured stone wall.

    Malte Saenger

    Studio Art Instructor

    Malte is an artist and photographer, whose work is built on research, travel, self-built camera systems and experimental analog photo processes. Malte has created award-winning artist books, is a DAAD Fellow and a recipient of the New German Photography Award. He holds MFAs from the Offenbach University of Art and Design in Germany and the California Institute of the Arts.

  • A person with a short, reddish-blonde buzz cut hairstyle, smiling and showing their teeth, wearing a white T-shirt, standing indoors with a blurred background.

    gryn aziza

    Studio Art Instructor

    gryn is a multidisciplinary artist focused on play, community, and collaboration. They have worked across disciplines including dance, performance art, and software engineering. Their art has been featured at the Venice Art Biennale, Moulin Belle in France and many other fine art world institutions. They earned a BFA in Contemporary Dance from University of North Carolina School of the Arts.

  • Owen Ward

    Studio Art Instructor

    Owen is a mixed media artist whose work draws inspiration from vibrant colors and absurdity. His kitschy, colorful creations are deeply rooted in his passion for queer culture. With a bachelor’s degree in Art and Visual Culture from Appalachian State University, Owen aspires to inspire others to create work that represents authentic human experiences.

  • Woman with dark hair in a gray pinstripe suit sitting on a brown armchair in front of a bookshelf, with one leg crossed over the other. The background includes decorative items such as a skull, a butterfly picture, a globe, and books.

    Hilary Fitzgerald Campbell

    Studio Art Instructor

    Hilary is a celebrated cartoonist and illustrator whose work has been featured in The New Yorker, The New York Times, and beyond. She has authored and illustrated several books, including Murder Book and Breaking Up Is Hard To Do, But You Could’ve Done Better, showcasing her ability to mix art with humor.

  • A woman with dark hair, wearing a black long-sleeve shirt, is smiling with her eyes closed while touching a rusted metal pipe or pole.

    Grace Jung

    Studio Art Instructor

    Grace is a multidisciplinary artist and designer working at the intersection of textiles, print, and sculpture. She studied Economics and Studio Art at UC Berkeley and Textiles at Central Saint Martins. Grace’s work reflects the regenerative and evolving nature of human connection.

  • A person with short dark hair, light skin, wearing a white T-shirt with colorful pattern, smiling and taking a selfie in an indoor setting.

    Sam Nobile

    Studio Art Instructor

    Sam is a New York–based mixed media artist and photographer whose work explores the intersection of image-making, movement, and contemporary culture. He received his BA in English and Art from Saint Mary's College of California. Deeply connected to New York’s storied skateboarding scene, Sam draws inspiration from the city’s energy both in and outside the studio.

  • A man with glasses and a beard wearing a blue cap and beige T-shirt standing with crossed arms, looking at something off-camera in an indoor setting.

    Luke Ivy Price

    Studio Art Instructor

    Luke Ivy Price is an artist whose work is rooted in storytelling, history, and craftsmanship. His art has been exhibited in New York, Miami, and North Carolina and is represented by Ki Smith Gallery. Luke’s creations are part of many prominent private collections.

  • A woman with short brown hair and large earrings poses against a colorful abstract background with a shadow cast on the wall. She is wearing a sleeveless white blouse with large black polka dots and high-waisted blue plaid trousers.

    Daniela Mayer

    Art History Instructor

    Daniela is an art historian and curator specializing in modern and contemporary art. She earned her Master’s in Art History from Hunter College and has taught at institutions such as Hunter College, the School of Visual Arts, and Sotheby’s. Daniela has also curated multiple exhibitions in New York and Senegal.

  • A small, curly-haired dog with a brown and white coat lying on a beige couch next to a colorful, abstract pillow.

    Matisse Dropp

    Mascot

    Named after Henri Matisse, our Matisse embodies the spirit of the Fauvist movement (a term derived from "les fauves" meaning "wild beasts" in French). Initially joining the team through familial connections, Matisse has earned his place, becoming a crucial and cherished member of the ArtsClub team. Matisse’s presence at events is by request only.

DC Art Instructors

  • Karlene Shippelhoute

    Art History Instructor

    Karlene is an art historian and serves as the lead educator for ArtsClub events in DC. Karlene earned a B.A in Anthropology and Near Eastern Civilizations from UC Berkeley and an M.A in Near Eastern Studies from Johns Hopkins, where she is currently completing her PhD with a focus on art and archaeology. In addition to teaching at a wide range of institutions, Karlene spent a last decade working on archaeological excavations in West Asia and North Africa.

  • A young woman with dark hair pointing at a holographic or digital image of a figure with a hooded jacket, set in an art gallery or exhibition space.

    Janina Anderson

    Art History & Studio Art Instructor

    Janina is a fiber artist and educator with an M.F.A. in Fibers from Concordia University and an M.A. in Studio Art and Art History from the University of Oregon. She has taught textile and printmaking courses at Concordia and Lesley University, with her work showcased in exhibitions across the U.S. and internationally.

  • A young woman with shoulder-length brown hair and earrings, sitting indoors in a room with wallpapered walls, a window with white curtains, and a potted plant in the background.

    Olivia Agate

    Art History Instructor

    Olivia is an art historian, painter, collections manager, and historical researcher who specializes in Modern European art. She earned her M.A. in art history from American University and her B.A. in art history from Muhlenberg College. She has worked at D.C. museums such as the Phillips Collection and the American University Museum.

  • Yasha Pourahmad

    Studio Art Instructor

    Yasha is an animator, painter, and musician in Maryland, specializing in watercolor, gouache, and mixed-media animation. Graduating with a B.A. in Studio Art from the University of Maryland in 2017, Yasha moved to Los Angeles, California to pursue a career in animation, working as a production coordinator on shows Duncanville and Grimsburg for Bento Box Entertainment. He is now back in the east coast and ready to share all he has learned from his adventures.

  • Shayla Manee Dhingra

    Studio Art Instructor

    Shayla is an intuitive abstract painter working across paint and mixed media, exploring diaspora, sensory experience, and mythology. She has led intuitive painting workshops and craft meetups since 2020, holding space for people to create and connect through hands-on process, and holds a BS in Media Arts and Design and Minor in Studio Art from James Madison University.

  • A woman with long, curly blonde hair, wearing glasses, a navy blue patterned dress, and a black watch, is smiling while peeking out from behind purple curtains.

    Perri Gross

    Studio Art Instructor

    Perri is a recognized visual artist and stand-up comedian. She studied fine arts and advertising at Ithaca College, Parsons School of Design, and the School of Visual Arts in New York City. She recently completed her Masters in Art Education at the University of Maryland, College Park and now works as an elementary school art teacher in Arlington, VA. In addition to visual arts, Perri has over a decade of experience in the stand-up comedy world, teaching and touring across the United States.

  • A woman with curly brown hair sitting indoors with warm lighting and a window in the background.

    Rachel Tanzi

    Art History Instructor

    Rachel is a museum educator with a background in art history and a passion for the stories art tells. She holds a B.A. in Art History from The Catholic University of America and an M.A., also in Art History, from George Washington University. She currently works in public programs at the National Gallery of Art and has previously held positions at the Smithsonian, Glenstone Museum, and Hillwood Museum.

  • Annika Papke

    Studio Art Instructor

    Annika is an interdisciplinary and multi-media artist living and working in Washington, DC who specializes in printmaking and painting. She is a graduate of The College of William & Mary with degrees in Art & Art History and American Studies. Her work reflects on the intersection between pop culture, technology, and the everyday.

  • A young woman with curly hair, wearing a striped navy shirt, jewelry, and a Donald Duck badge, smiling at the camera against a plain white background.

    Dinah Polhemus

    Studio Art Instructor

    Dinah is an artist, curator and art instructor who graduated from the School of the Arts Institute of Chicago with a BFA in Painting and Art History. Within her work she focuses and expands on topics of Americana, and American working class using her life experience as a compass.