Paula Tarango

President/Director/Workshop Leader/Direct Instruction

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Paula Tarango has been a guiding force in Art Corps for over 35 years and currently serves as the organization's President. Her journey began at the very inception of the program, when her own child was in kindergarten. Alongside Kathy Peterson, Paula helped develop what would become a vibrant and enduring arts education initiative that has touched countless lives across generations.

With a focus on early elementary grades—transitional kindergarten, kindergarten, and first grade—Paula brings her passion, expertise, and creative spirit into the classroom. Her years of experience have made her a mentor to volunteers and a beloved figure among students.

One of Paula’s greatest joys is seeing parent volunteers rediscover their creative spark during workshops. She believes that art not only nurtures children's development but also reawakens the artistic voice that lives in all of us.

She is especially drawn to Impressionism and Abstract art, appreciating the emotion, movement, and color found in these styles.

Paula's legacy in Art Corps is one of inspiration, innovation, and deep-rooted dedication to the belief that art belongs to everyone.

Lisa Collins

Workshop Leader/ Direct Instructor

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After retiring from a long and fulfilling career as a classroom teacher in the Poway Unified School District, this Art Corps educator was recruited to bring her passion for teaching into a new, creative setting. For the past year and a half, she has been sharing her love for art with students and parent volunteers alike.

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One of her favorite parts of teaching with Art Corps is witnessing the surprise and pride students and parents feel when they see their finished pieces. There’s often a moment of realization—when they step back and admire their work—where they truly see how much they’ve learned and accomplished.

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Her artistic inspirations include Monet and Van Gogh, artists known for their expressive use of color and line. She’s particularly drawn to the emotion and movement in their work. If given the chance to spend an hour with any artist, she would choose Dale Chihuly. His ability to manipulate glass into large-scale, vibrant installations fascinates her, and she admires both the beauty of his art and the technical skill it takes to work with such a challenging medium.

Anita Edmondson

Director/ Workshop Leader

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Anita has been a dedicated Art Corps teacher for 14 years, but her journey began over two decades ago as a parent volunteer when her children were in kindergarten and first grade. The moment she heard our school was launching an art program, she didn’t hesitate to jump in—and she’s never looked back. She still treasures the artwork her kids created with Art Corps all those years ago!

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Anita finds great joy in working with both children and adults. She’s constantly inspired by the creativity of young minds and deeply values the enthusiasm, dedication, and curiosity of our parent volunteers. Many come to Art Corps with no prior art or teaching experience, but like the students, they grow and learn tremendously. As we love to say: everyone is an artist! Anita believes that art has the unique power to build confidence, forge connections, and bring joy to people of all ages.

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Anita’s favorite modern artists include Matisse and Miró. But if she could spend an hour with any famous artist, it would be Andy Warhol—an experience she imagines would be one of the most fascinating and unforgettable hours of her life. His bold approach to art and culture continues to intrigue and influence her work in the classroom.

Julie Pearce

Workshop Leader/ Direct Instructor

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Julie Pearce has been a devoted part of the Art Corps family for an incredible 26 years. Her journey began as a parent volunteer in her son’s 2nd grade classroom—what started as a simple desire to be involved in his education quickly transformed into a deep and lasting passion for art education and community engagement.

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Over the years, Julie has taught students in grades UTK through 5th, bringing creativity and confidence into classrooms across all levels. As both a Workshop Leader and Classroom Instructor, as well as a Director, she has inspired countless students and supported parent volunteers, sharing not only techniques and lessons but also a love for artistic expression.

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Julie finds her greatest joy in the smiles, hugs, and spontaneous expressions of wonder she receives from her students. Their enthusiasm reminds her every day why she continues to teach. To her, those moments of connection are the most rewarding part of the work.

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Her favorite artistic styles are abstract and impressionism—she is especially drawn to their expressive and emotional qualities. If given the chance to spend an hour with any artist from history, Julie would choose Vincent Van Gogh. She is deeply moved by his artistry and intrigued by the complexity of his life, finding inspiration in his heartfelt letters to his brother Theo.

Michelle Hoagland

Director/ Workshop Leader, Direct Instructor

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Michelle has been part of Art Corps for three years, but her journey with the program began much earlier. She first got involved in 2007 as a parent volunteer, despite having no formal background in art or teaching. Much of what she knows today, she credits to the guidance and support of the dedicated Art Corps Workshop Leaders. This foundation sparked a deep appreciation for the power of community-based learning and creativity.

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One of Michelle’s favorite aspects of the program is watching parent volunteers grow. She finds it incredibly rewarding to see them gain confidence—especially those who initially doubt their artistic abilities or their capacity to lead a project. She also loves working directly with students, witnessing their excitement as they explore new materials and embrace the concepts presented to them.

 

A passionate fan of modern art, Michelle is especially drawn to bold, expressive styles. If given the chance to spend time with any artists, she would choose Henri Matisse and André Derain. Their summer in Collioure, France in 1905—where they experimented with vibrant color and sparked the Fauvist movement—fascinates her. She’s particularly intrigued by how they felt when critics dismissed their groundbreaking work by calling them “wild beasts,” and admires their fearless creativity.

Linda Van Vark

Workshop Leader/ Direct Instructor​​​

 

Linda has been a dedicated part of Art Corps since 2000, beginning her journey as a parent volunteer in her children’s classroom. What started as a way to support her kids' education quickly blossomed into a deeper passion for arts education. Over time, her role evolved, and she became a teacher within the program, sharing her love of art with students and families alike.

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For Linda, one of the most rewarding aspects of teaching adults is watching them transform—many arrive at workshops doubting their abilities, only to leave with pride and a renewed belief in themselves as creative individuals. When it comes to teaching children, she’s inspired daily by their boundless imagination and fearless expression. Watching their ideas come to life in vibrant, unexpected ways is what makes every classroom experience so fulfilling.

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Linda is especially drawn to the expressive beauty of Impressionism. Her favorite artists include Van Gogh, Matisse, and Monet—visionaries whose bold colors and emotional depth continue to influence her approach to art and teaching.

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If given the chance to spend an hour with any artist, Linda would choose Pablo Picasso. She’s fascinated by his evolution as an artist and would love the opportunity to explore his creative process, discover what truly inspired him, and understand how he viewed his own artistic legacy.

Rachel Kaas 

Director/ Workshop Leader

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Rachel’s journey with Art Corps began over 15 years ago when her now 21-year-old started kindergarten. What began as a simple desire to be involved in her children’s education grew into a lasting connection with the program. Over the years, she taught and assisted in classrooms throughout elementary and middle school for all three of her children, eventually stepping into a leadership role as the volunteer lead at their middle school.

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When her youngest moved on to high school, Rachel joined Art Corps as a teaching artist, leading hands-on workshops and Family Art Nights—continuing to share her love of creativity with students and families.

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She finds the most rewarding moments are when hesitant participants leave feeling proud of what they’ve created. “In today’s fast-paced, screen-filled world,” she says, “it’s a joy to help people unplug, get a little messy, and reconnect with their creativity.”

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Rachel’s favorite artist is Jasper Johns, whose bold use of collage, color, and symbolism inspires her. If she could spend time with any artist in history, it would be Mary Cassatt. “I’d love to hear what it was like to pursue art as a woman during the Impressionist era. That kind of courage is timeless.”