Instructors

Elle Miller is in their fourth year of teaching, bringing creativity and community engagement to art education. They hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education and have taught in both Chicago Public Schools and Appleton School District, gaining valuable experience across two distinct urban and suburban educational settings. Having lived in Appleton, Wisconsin, Chicago, Illinois, and St. Paul, Minnesota, Elle brings diverse regional perspectives and an understanding of different community contexts to their work with students.

Beyond the classroom, Elle has deep roots in community arts programming. While living in Wisconsin, they helped organize, run, and care for their hometown’s annual Carved Pumpkin Display—a beloved community event that has been run by their family for over 26 years and continues today. This hands-on experience with large-scale community art events demonstrates Elle’s commitment to making art accessible and engaging for the broader public, a value they bring into their educational practice.

Elle’s combination of formal art education training, diverse teaching experience, and dedication to community-based art events positions them as an educator who understands the importance of connecting artistic practice to community engagement and celebration.

Mandy Stringer brings 21 years of teaching experience to her work in art education. She holds a Master of Arts in Fine Arts from Regis University with a concentration in Ceramics. Her teaching career has spanned multiple schools across Colorado and Minnesota, including Rangeview High School in Aurora Public Schools, Denver South High School, Aspen High School in the Aspen School District, and PiM Minnesota.

Mandy is an active member of the Minnesota Artists Guild and maintains a vibrant professional arts practice outside the classroom. At Forma Clay, she serves in multiple leadership roles as Gallery Boss, Community Partnerships coordinator, and Market Organizer, while also facilitating Raku and surface treatment workshops. As a business owner, she operates Lulu + Co, demonstrating her entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to the arts.

Her dedication to advancing her craft is evident through her participation in prestigious arts residencies at the Kansas City Arts Institute, including an Animation residency in 2013 and a Ceramics residency in 2022. These experiences have deepened her technical expertise and creative vision, enriching the knowledge and skills she brings to her students.

Having lived and taught in both Minnesota and Colorado, Mandy brings diverse regional perspectives and over two decades of experience connecting students with the transformative power of visual arts and ceramic practice.

Sarah Swimmer is in her second year of teaching, bringing a rich and diverse background in arts, education, and youth development to the classroom. She holds a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Minnesota and a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art and Classics from Grinnell College, combining pedagogical expertise with deep knowledge of both visual arts and classical studies.

Before transitioning to full-time teaching, Sarah worked extensively with young people in various capacities. She served as a production supervisor with Cookie Cart, where she guided youth in entrepreneurial and workplace skills, and worked as an early literacy coach with Minnesota Reading Corps, supporting early childhood literacy development across Minnesota communities.

Sarah’s professional arts practice is both active and multifaceted. She spent over two years as glazing and bisqueware department manager at a local production pottery studio, developing technical expertise in ceramic arts. She continues to work on commission as a muralist’s assistant and freelance artist, bringing real-world artistic experience into her teaching. Additionally, Sarah founded and runs Minus Hall, an experimental/ambient music and art market series, demonstrating her commitment to fostering creative community spaces and supporting emerging artists.