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!

Chloe Smith is a muralist & visual artist based in Rochester, NY. She has been working on a commission basis since 2012, and has created over 70 murals throughout upstate NY, as well as working as a street chalk artist for public & private events. Her work has been featured in Life in the Finger Lakes Magazine, Canvas Rebel Magazine, and Citi Newspaper. Her work combines portraiture & natural themes, drawing from life's meaningful human encounters, the natural world, and passion for gardening & environmental stewardship. She is also the founder of 490 Farmers, a Rochester community garden & urban farm.

Artist Statement:

“My passion is to honor & nurture the potential of forgotten or underappreciated physical spaces through thoughtful artistic attention. A guiding focus throughout my work is to restore dignity & vitality to the malnourished urban landscape, to add value and new kinetic energy to forgotten spaces by creating pieces that evolve and take on a life of their own once the seed of revival has been planted in them. This includes painting nature-inspired murals, building a community garden, and working with youth to explore and develop their nascent creativity.”

Riley Mull is a graduate of Bishop Kearney, and has always loved art and working with children. She has been working as a teacher assistant during school break camps and hosting birthday parties at Art Center for the past three years. Riley is a wonderful, energetic, and creative presence and we are so happy to have her on our team!

Bio coming soon… Lea Necheles