OUR TEAM

Rachel Boschman, Program Coordinator & Instructor

Raised in an artistic home where imagination was encouraged, Rachel often wondered why almost every child paints, draws, or colours something creative all the time but almost no adults do.  She decided to make it a goal to keep that creative joy alive in the children that she knew so started teaching kids in her community how to sculpt.

When Rachel found out about Clay for Kids, she knew that it was the perfect career choice!!!  Not only teaching something educational and on curriculum, but also reminding children how to reach into their own imaginations and express themselves with their clay and glass pieces.

“I love how children sometimes start out doubting that they can make something amazing, but by the end of the class, they have fallen in love with their own piece, and claim it to be the best one they’ve ever seen”.  Rachel loves to inspire her classes and hopes that they will take that love of creativity with them as they march into adulthood.

Jennifer Ross, Instructor

Jennifer earned a certificate in floral design from Olds College in 1989 and spent 25 years in the floral industry.  Looking for a career change Jennifer joined Clay for Kids in 2015.  It was a perfect fit, the opportunity to work with children while still allowing her to be creative.  “I’ve always loved working with my hands and getting dirty.  I took pottery classes several years ago and fell in love with it but the time restraints of raising young children didn’t allow me to continue.  Now that my children are grown and moved away I have time to rediscover my love of pottery”.
“Seeing the excitement in their eyes as I watch a child transform a ball of clay into a beautiful piece of art is very rewarding”.  Every day is an adventure, a new school, a different project and enthusiastic kids to work with.

Jennifer Tomkiw

Jennifer Tomkiw, Instructor

Jennifer is a former elementary school teacher of 15 years, always interested in fine arts, she pursued a variety of art mediums during her career as a teacher. While her children were still at home she took evening classes studying a variety of art mediums at the North Mount Pleasant art centre in Calgary. During that time she acquired the skills and knowledge to become an artist with acrylic painting being her favorite medium.

Jennifer has enjoyed painting commissioned landscapes from her home studio and eventually went on to work in a studio teaching kids and adults a variety of art mediums. When she discovered Clay for Kids she knew it would be a perfect fit! Jennifer has always known that the arts such as pottery, encourages fine motor skills, problem solving abilities and can be used effectively to understand other subjects such as reading, writing, math and science.

“In art there are no mistakes, only discoveries”

Brenda Scott

Brenda Scott, Instructor

Brenda has been using her creativity and passion as an educator of children and youth for over 20 years. When she began her early work at a local non-profit as an educator within Calgary and rural classrooms, she realized her passion for teaching!

Brenda has enjoyed various roles as an educator throughout her career and can easily adapt her instruction to suit various ages and abilities. She uses her creativity and enthusiasm to always make learning fun and has engaged kids in learning a variety of topics, including hands-on skills, music and movement, drama, arts and crafts.

Brenda has seen the benefits that involvement in the arts can provide, including increasing self confidence, stress reduction and pride in learning new skills. Brenda is excited to join the Clay for Kids team and bring the fun and excitement of clay and glass fusion to children and youth in Calgary and surrounding areas!

CONTACT US IN CALGARY

TEL: 1-403-281-4882
EMAIL: calgary@clayforkids.com

SNAIL MAIL:
132 – 250 Shawville Blvd SE, Box #150
Calgary, AB T2Y 2Z7

Office hours Monday to Friday 8:30 – 4:00pm

OUR MISSION

To celebrate art, develop new artists, and bring a fun clay and glass fusion experience to people of all ages.

Create with us!