Alexis Decosimo, Summer Art Therapy Intern
Alexis Decosimo was born and raised on top of a mountain in Chattanooga, TN. She grew up in a large Southern/ Italian family with many art influences. Her grandmother and uncle are strong artists in the community, so some of Alexis's greatest memories are watching them create art. Her late grandmother taught her the importance and art of making clothes and knitting. She is highly influenced by Appalachian art and culture from her childhood and time spent in Asheville, NC, where she attends college. She is currently one semester away from an undergraduate degree in Art Therapy at Brevard College and is looking to come to graduate school in Portland. She enjoys making clothes, knitting, baking, painting, sculpting, drawing, mountain biking, kayaking, and hiking. Her belief is that art can be healing and used as a second language.

Mackenzie Sipiora, Summer Art Ed. Intern
My name is Mackenzie Sipiora. I currently attend Seattle pacific university and am studying sociology and art. I have grown up taking art classes and going to art camps and have a passion for the fine arts. I love working with a variety of mediums and I love to teach and also learn from Others. I have worked at different Summer camps and youth groups in the past and love working with kids! I am so excited for the growth and experience that this summer will bring.

Ellie Holzemer Russell, Summer Art Ed. Intern
I'm an avid crafter, artist, and designer with a passion for teaching and inspiring others, especially children. My goal at 100th Monkey is to use my creativity and experience with kids to explore art therapy and education at new levels. I firmly believe that everyone is creative! My hope is for children to sustain their creative confidence through their tender years and into adulthood and to enjoy the process of making art rather than the product itself. I have a BA in Communication from Augsburg College in my native hometown of Minneapolis, MN. I'm a graphic designer, a performing fiddle player, and former preschool teacher. I like to practice my Spanish. You'll often find me in my basement sewing studio or camping with my husband and dog.

Cotey, Troy   Summer Art Ed. Intern
I decided early in life that i wanted to find adventure and fight dragons. Around the age of 15/16 I began hopping freight trains as an unintended result of this pursuit and continued to do so for the next five years. After that my life became an unsuccessful chain of events poorly thought up to reacclimatize myself to living in the "real world". through all of this I realized that the one constant thing throughout my life has been a need to create and to explore myself through this creation. Thats where art school comes in. I am currently enrolled at PNCA as a Contemporary Animated Arts major, and i have a strong interest in exploring the realm of art therapy and art education. I look forward to learning with you all.

Jennie Gartner, Summer Art Ed. & Curatorial Intern
Bachelor’s Degree from Bradley University in Art History, Minor concentration in Ceramics.   

I have been fortunate enough to experience gallery management and studio courses through school, a summer internship with Bradley University Gallery and a six month internship with McKenzie River Pottery, Washington, Illinois.  I came to Portland to continue learning about the world of art.  So far I have truly enjoyed working with The 100th Monkey Studio as I help curate the gallery, manage the art boutique and get out into the community with First and Last Thursdays, First Fridays, Art Spark and more.  I hope to use this internship opportunity to further my education of running an art business, developing upon my strengths, working on my weaknesses, and finding my own direction.  I hope my travels will lead me towards giving back to my community through running a ceramic studio, supporting local artists, and welcoming the public to learn and enjoy art.

Katy Meacham, Spring  Curatorial Intern
Katy is from Baltimore, MD and has lived in Portland for two years now. Katy graduated from Skidmore College with a BA in English Literature and Studio Art. Katy is an active artist with a studio in the South East but plans on pursuing a career as a curator and maybe owning her own gallery one day. She decided to get involved with the 100th Monkey because of her love for art and interest in the studio’s space as a community resource to spread art and creativity. She works as a server in downtown Portland and loves being active, the outdoors traveling and good food.

Kaley,  Summer Curatorial Intern