Teaching Staff

Instructional Staff

Sascha Newell, Instructor & Director

"Ms. Sascha" is an Artist, Founder and Executive Director of Fine Art Starts. She has a BFA in Visual Art and a Master's Degree in Teaching. She has taught fine art to children and adults since 1997, and was one of three nominees for the 2021 Art Educator of the Year Award for the state of Oregon. Sascha teaches Art full time at Jesuit High School, directs Fine Art Starts, and has taught as a Professor of Art Pedagogy in the Master's Education Department at George Fox University for three years (teaching teachers how to teach Art). She has a blended family of five children and loves making art in nature.

Nina "Neo" Manning, Instructor

"Ms. Nina/Neo" grew up spending hours in the Fine Art Starts studio, attending years of art classes, has several years of assisting and teaching for Fine Art Starts at various schools, and will graduate this year with a Bachelor's degree in game design and animation from Pacific NW College of Art. They enjoy making art and spending time with their two cats, Inky and Penny and their crested gecko named Barnaby.

Jorie Helwig, Instructor & Studio Manager

"Ms Jorie" is a multidisciplinary artist, specializing in ceramics. She holds a BFA in Photography, and an Associates of Applied Sciences in Interactive Media and Web Design. She worked as a Teacher’s Assistant and a Lead Tutor for college art courses. She has taught many media including photography, lino cutting, printmaking, knitting, and most recently handbuilding and wheel throwing. After working in the tech industry as a software engineer and technical writer for the last 14 years, she is excited to be teaching and creating as an Artist educator.
Jorie is the Fine Art Starts Studio Manager in Raleigh Hills. Please direct any studio-related questions to her at: [email protected]

Adam Strickler, Instructor

"Mr. Adam" is a husband and a father to 3 boys, one of which is a student at MITCH. He is an Artist who specializes in traditional media such as ink, paint and clay sculpture. During his college years he focused on sculpture and mixed media. He has 5 years of volunteer art instruction with elementary school-aged kids and is looking forward to a rewarding experience teaching with Fine Art Starts!

Zaza Jeffers, Instructor

Alexandra ("Ms. Zaza" ) Jeffers has a degree in Graphic Design and teaches for the Fine Art Starts after-school program during the school year and part time during the summer Art Camps. She has experience teaching a range of ages, from children through adults. She has studied many art mediums, including drawing, painting, and calligraphy. She is a mom to a 2-year old boy.

Emma Craft, Instructor

"Ms. Emma" is an enthusiastic teacher with a Bachelor's of Art, with an emphasis on sculpture and ceramics. She has completed murals, taught summer art camps, and loves to practice her creativity through clay, paint, bookmaking and crafting. When not creating new pieces, she enjoys reading mystery, and fantasy novels. She loves to spend time with her husband Tanner, going on hikes, watching shows, and baking him delicious desserts.

Edgar Arellano, Instructor in Training

"Mr. Edgar" is a bilingual visual artist inspired by community, nature, and the small details of everyday life. He has collaborated with local organizations and businesses across Portland on creative projects, using both English and Spanish to connect and communicate with diverse audiences. Edgar has a background in visual arts and design, and continues strengthening his artistic and educational training through community-based work and ongoing professional development. He is excited to share his love for art with students at Fine Art Starts. For him, teaching means encouraging children to try new things, express who they are, and discover that in art there are no mistakes—only new discoveries.

Laura Schick, Studio Instructor

"Ms. Laura" teaches mathematics at Jesuit High School by day, and the rest of the time she is a multidisciplinary artist and maker, working in clay, textiles, leather, wood, basketry, and most recently stained glass. She fell in love with the pottery wheel in 2022 and her favorite thing about teaching is helping students develop their confidence, voice, and passion for whatever subject or medium they're working with! This summer Laura was a guest potter at the Clay and Pottery camp.
When not teaching or making, Laura spends time with her family and volunteers with her therapy dog, Greta, (who some of the summer Art Camp participants might meet)!

Studio Assistants / Summer Staff

Emma "Rocky", Summer Camp Staff

Emma (camp name "Rocky") is a second-year college student and graduate from Jesuit who studied Art for 3 years under Ms. Sascha. They love all art medias, and is particularly good at sculpting. They are a certified lifeguard and taught swimming to kids for several years. This is their third year at Art Camp and are so excited to be back working with the campers again.

Hayden "Meadow", Summer Camp Staff

Hayden (camp name "Meadow") is a Jesuit High School graduate (and AP Art student) who studied Art under Ms. Sascha for four years. She's experienced in many media, particularly enjoys digital art and character design, and plans to study game design at NYU. Hayden has been a committed classroom assistant for the past two years in the after school program, and looks forward to returning to Art Camp this summer as an Instructor in Training. She's excited to get to know this summer's campers!

Chris "Cat", After School Assistant and Summer Camp Staff

Chris (camp name "Cat") is an AP Art Student and senior at Jesuit High School. She loves spending time with friends and family and is active in theater. One of her favorite parts of working with after school classes and campers is introducing them to new art skills and watching their creativity grow. This is Chris' second school year helping in the after school program, and 2025 will be her second year on summer Art camp staff.

Simon "Edwin", Summer Camp Staff

Simon (camp name "Edwin") graduated from Jesuit High School. He took four years of Art with Ms. Sascha, including AP Art his senior year. He likes to use pen and ink, and likes to explore with wet media different types of papers. He is a fan of collectable card games including Pokémon and Magic: The Gathering. He is excited to make his Art Camp debut this summer hopefully catching ‘em all (at the “Trainer’s Haven” Pokemon-inpired week), with some art along the way.

Inclusion

Every child’s life and diverse experiences are respected. Our goal is to ensure that students are truly seen, valued and feel a sense of belonging and safety during times of creation and sharing.

Engaging Instruction

We place the best-matched instructor with the course being offered. Our instructors are valued for their artistry, experience and time.

Community

Students feel a sense of community during camp times, art shows and the support they receive from peers and leaders.

Find our Policies HERE.