Hello and welcome! 

Kaitlin Roney-Blaine and Chris Blaine created Art Center based on the belief that art empowers a community, and unites people through the sharing of group learning experiences. Kaitlin and Chris are a married team, with five children (and two dogs), living in West Irondequoit. It was their shared passion for art and teaching that first brought Kaitlin and Chris together.

Both Chris and Kaitlin hold a MS in Art Education, with over 25 years of combined experience in the field. Chris holds a PhD in Cultural Art History, with a focus on Norwegian Stave Churches and Viking Art. Currently, Chris is researching and writing a book on the topic of the World League of American Football.

Kaitlin has been working as an art teacher, gallery director, and free lance portrait and mural artist over the years. She has shown her art both internationally and locally, and received the Arena Group Award for one of her etchings at the 63rd annual Rochester-Fingerlakes Exhibition at the Memorial Art Gallery. Kaitlin has also written many children’s plays, and directed many children’s theater arts productions. At this time, Kaitlin is working on transforming some of her plays into children’s books.

Together, Kaitlin and Chris have attended art conferences in Canterbury, England as both presenters and exhibiting artists. They have been running successful summer art camps in the area for the past eight years.

We are confident that you will find a program or event that is right for you or your family at Art Center, and look forward to meeting you soon!

visit Kaitlin’s website HERE

visit Chris’s website HERE

Melissa Olson

Melissa moved to West Irondequoit in October 2018 from Florida, where she was an art teacher for many years. She is an interdisciplinary artist, and shows her paintings, jewelry and other creations in the Rochester area. Melissa holds a BFA from the University of South Florida, and a degree in Computer Animation/Digital Media from Full Sail University. Melissa enjoys spending time with her daughter and husband exploring Upstate NY, painting, traveling, reading, coffee, and creating small sculptures. We are so lucky to have her at Art Center!

Jessica Lowell

Jessica is returning to Art Center for another summer of camp! She graduated from St. Bonaventure in the spring of 2022 with a BS.Ed in inclusive childhood and early education, with a focus on math and science. She spent the 2022-2023 schoolyear teaching Kindergarten for the St. Louis Public School District, in St. Louis, Missouri. In the past, Jessica worked at summer camps in the Hudson River Valley, and has always wanted to work with children. Jessica loves to be outdoors and can often be found on the hiking trails, biking, running, or skiing. She has played lacrosse her entire life, and enjoys helping her students discover their strengths.

Claire McCluskey

Claire is a local freelance artist, filmmaker and musician. She earned her BFA from Ithaca college, and lived in NYC for several years before returning to her hometown of Rochester, NY. Claire is an activist, independent filmmaker, and passionate about bettering our community. One of her recent projects involves documenting the stories and aiding local people who are houseless.

Currently Claire works for the Memorial Art Gallery as part of the Extended Learning Curriculum program. She currently teaches private art lessons at Art Center, and supports a variety of programs as needed. Claire is an asset to the Art Center team!

Rileigh Mull

Rileigh is a graduate of Bishop Kearney High School who loves art, the outdoors and creating. She has helped Art Center with summer camps, Kids Night Out and some classes.

Bios coming soon… Payton Carrol, Lea Necheles