Teaching Artist Stephanie McDonnell Joins Arts for Learning WNY as the Fall 2026 ArtWorks Teaching Artist
We are excited to welcome Teaching Artist Stephanie McDonnell as she joins the Arts for Learning team as the ArtWorks Teaching Artist this fall semester. Stephanie will lead a cohort of 10 ArtWorks Apprentices in a semester-long intensive focusing on clay.
Apprentices are high schoolers from the Buffalo area who will engage in two 12-week ArtWorks terms over the coming year. Through this program, Apprentices are paid to develop their artistry while also building important skills in problem solving, communication, leadership, responsibility, critical thinking, and collaboration.
Students attend three after-school sessions per week at the Arts for Learning office at the Tri-Main Center. Two sessions each week are devoted to the primary art form while the other session is utilized as an opportunity to hear from guest speakers in the industry, engage in professional develop, and build skills needed for success in any professional endeavors.
The fall session of ArtWorks begins on Monday, October 19th.
Hear from Teaching Artist Stephanie McDonnell below!
"My name is Stephanie McDonnell and I am a ceramic artist and instructor, small business owner, and new mom as of this year!
I have worked with clay for roughly 20 years (since first trying the wheel in high school) and it has always been a passion of mine. My small business has been in the works since 2018 and it has been a pleasure meeting so many in the community and giving back through teaching and sharing this joy with others. I absolutely love working live events and art festivals alongside my husband, where we have the opportunity to meet so many fun people; It is heartwarming to hear how much others are enjoying what I have to offer to the world through my art!
I am very excited to be a part of the Arts for Learning team and to see a program such as ArtWorks being offered to young students, as it is a program I would have loved to join upon graduating high school myself. Deciding whether or not to commit to the arts as a career path can be extremely intimidating, especially when making plans for college or otherwise. Many times I gave myself the extra push and confidence needed to accomplish this (even if I didn’t fully believe it at times), and I am excited to be able to be that support person for others who are also passionate about this field.
The curiosity, determination, and excitement that young individuals and artists have upon exploring the world and the vast opportunities that lay ahead professionally intrigues me. I had many visions and hopes for a career in the art world myself at a young age- some that seemed impossible at times- and with the right encouragement from a handful of others who saw that potential, I truly was able to accomplish my goals and dreams and continue to do so today. This was ultimately a deciding factor for me in continuing with my own schooling in the ceramic arts. I knew I wanted to not only expand my knowledge as an artist but to also share it and pass on that joy and knowledge to others; that was very fulfilling and rewarding to me. This is what I strive to offer through my efforts as a creator and mentor.
I love the incredible opportunity that ArtWorks provides in creating a safe space to help young artists develop their skill sets, while offering ways to realistically support their artistic endeavors alongside workshops in those fields. I am excited to be a part of the artistic community in Western New York because I know there are many others out there also excited to partake in the arts, who may not know where or how to begin, and I am grateful to be able to share my knowledge and to give back to the community in that way. I look very forward to meeting and working with everyone in the 2026-2027 program!"
To learn more about ArtWorks and the rest of our incredible roster of Teaching Artists, check out our website!
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