Kaity Lacy Visual Art | is both an art educator and artist residing in the West Chester borough. She teaches children the joys of art and enjoys seeing the enthusiasm spark as the kids' excitement for their work grows . Kaity enjoys working primarily with two dimensional media, donating many of her colorful and expressive animal paintings to animal rescue organizations, thus helping these always cash-strapped nonprofits raise funds for their many medical cases. Before becoming a Teaching Artist at Darlington Arts Center, Kaity served as a humane educator across Pennsylvania and Delaware. Previously, she was a Visual Arts Teacher of middle and high school students. A certified art educator for students in grades K-12, you’ll often find Kaity’s works in local art shows, gallery walks and community art events. When she’s not painting, drawing or teaching, you’ll find Kaity spending time with her partner Kris, her family, their dog, Oakley and a host of shelter cats they continue to foster, caring for them until they find their forever homes. You can view some of Kait's works on her website Shelter Art or social media accounts at Etsy or Instagram.
Bea Kaplan (she/her) Ceramics, Painting, Drawing, Mixed Media, Printmaking | B.F.A., Carnegie-Mellon University, concentrations in printmaking and drawing. Bea has a range of experience in the art world including being an art teacher, gallery director, mural project coordinator, and therapeutic recreation program instructor. She has provided art instruction at multiple schools in the Tri-state region of Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey including Westtown School, Tower Hill School, Friends School of Mullica Hill, NJ; The Winchester Thurston School, Pittsburgh, The Carnegie, Museum of Art, The Children’s Room, Pittsburgh, and Allegheny County – Association for Children.
Erika Matyok Drawing, Painting | Erika is a Professional Artist and Art teacher. Her creative work is primarily inspired by nature and incorporates use of symmetry and relaxation techniques. Matyok exhibits and sells her art in the Philadelphia area and her murals can be viewed around the city and its surrounding suburbs. In addition to keeping an active painting studio, Matyok teaches Art full time to children at a private elementary school and offers workshops at local art centers for teens and adults interested in learning folk art style painting techniques and the meditative method of mandala making.
Tiye Pulley (he/him/his) Visual Art | Tiye is a multimedia visual artist from New Jersey. He is a 2019 Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art and Film & Media Studies from Swarthmore College and is a 2019 Thomas J. Watson Fellow. His work includes ink drawing, analog photography, filmmaking, and apparel design. Tiye currently lives and works in Philadelphia.
Jessica Rogers Visual Art | is a ceramic and painting artist originally from Sparta, New Jersey. She graduated with a B.A. in studio art and psychology from Providence College, and received her M.S. in secondary education from Saint Joseph’s University. She loves exploring all mediums, and is always finding ways to incorporate new techniques into her artwork. In her free time, Jessica enjoys cooking, being with family, going to the beach, and spending time with her cat Sadie. Jessica is so excited to meet the talented students here at Darlington, and to join a welcoming community that shares her love of the arts! She is looking forward to teaching within the beautiful art spaces and campus at Darlington, and working with students in a fun and creative environment!
Jennifer Roman (she/her) Visual Art | Jennifer has been teaching both visual and performing arts for over 20 years. She holds an M. ED in Special Education and Pennsylvania certification in Art K-12 and Special Education. Jennifer taught ada
pted art and music to both school age students and adults with significant special needs for close to 15 years, as well as typical and gifted children and adults in community centers, after school programs, and arts organizations. Currently she works as a contract teaching artist at the Delaware Art Museum and the Darlington Art Center. When she is not teaching Jennifer is an active in community theater, as a musical theater performer and costume designer. As an artist she is deeply inspired by world cultures and mythology, responsible stewardship of the earth’s resources, and color and texture, and loves working in textiles and mixed media.