Joy Leising grew up in the Midwest and has lived in Portland since 1997.  Leising has an undergraduate degree in Sociology/Anthropology and Gender Studies from Lewis & Clark College.  Leising has worked in many areas that support positive social change throughout her life.  She has also spent time studying and researching social change and gender issues in Zimbabwe.  This experience influenced her to search for ways to increase positive change in her own community.  Leising has been an active member on the Zimbabwe Artist Project Board (ZAP), since 2002 to the present and has had experience in writing grants, acquiring funding, organizing events and performances with groups including the Gender Symposium, TACS and CHIYSAP Theatre Arts group in Oregon.  Leising also has run recreational programs and taught tennis for adults and youth through private organizations and the Mittleman Jewish Community Center.

Prior to opening the studio, Leising has worked as a Case Manager with the Boys and Girls Aid Society of Oregon, in the Stabilization and Assessment Program.  In this setting she worked with youth ages 11-17 years of age (both males and females).  Leising’s role in this setting supported youth to receive the services they need to be successful, using individual counseling and problem solving skills.  In this work, youth are able to develop better coping mechanisms and work through difficulties that may be hindering them from being fully successful in life and daily functioning. Leising also has experience working with parents, families, foster parents and other community support agencies in Portland and Clackamas.  In addition to this work Leising is also a trainer for Non-Violent Crisis Intervention, certified through the Crisis Prevention Institute. Leising hopes to continue to use her knowledge and skills with youth at The 100th Monkey Studio through offering art and social skill building groups to youth and adults that struggle with behavioral and mental health issues.

Leising’s passion to partner in this business venture comes from her commitment to her community and creativity. Leising has always been a creative individual in her personal and professional life. From more formal photography classes in College to exploring new art forms in her basement in North Portland. Leising is excited to share her artistic skills through teaching classes at The 100th Monkey Studio as well as begin to share her own art work with the community. In addition to creativity, Leising’s goal in starting the 100th Monkey Studio was to be able to create a positive & safe community space that supports people thru art on many different levels.   One that is more than just a business, but a community resource that is able to offer services to non-profits, lower income artists, women, children and men.  She hopes to provide people with a community space that anyone can access and feel creative while also learning from one another other.

Beth Ann Short MA, ATR comes from the Great Lakes region, living in both Michigan and Ontario throughout her youth.  Short attended Alma College for her undergraduate degrees, double majoring in Art and English.  She moved west in the early 90's.

Short has a Masters in Art Therapy from Marylhurst University and is a nationally registered Art Therapist (ATR) with the American Art Therapy Association.  Short has also shown her art nationally since the 90's, but has been making art since she was a small child.

Short worked in Portland, OR in community mental health for about eight years before politics severely changed the climate of community mental health cutting services for people in Oregon and throughout our nation.  Short has experience in working with groups, families and individuals.  Her clinical background specializes in Art Therapy, although Short has also been trained in traditional verbal methodologies, Family Therapy, Sand Tray Therapy and PhotoTherapy.  Since 1997, Short has had work experience in medical, outpatient, inpatient, juvenile justice, school-based settings and with at-risk youth while providing these services.  Short has also provided in-service presentations and sat on panels to inform community groups about Art Therapy.

Drawn by artist Celina Hernandez