The Creative Cafe

With more than 27 years of experience teaching Visual Arts at the high school level, including 20 years teaching AP Studio Art, I have dedicated my career to fostering creativity, artistic growth, and meaningful learning experiences for students. I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art with an emphasis in Drawing, Painting, and Design, as well as a Master of Arts degree in Drawing and Painting. In addition to teaching, I am also a full-time working artist, which allows me to bring current artistic practices, professional experience, and real-world perspectives directly into the classroom. Throughout my career, I have served in a variety of educational leadership roles and have led numerous artist-driven, hands-on workshops designed to inspire both students and fellow educators. I am also the Executive Director and Co-Creator of ArtConnectED, a teacher-led nonprofit organization committed to advancing visual arts education for young people. Through exhibitions, educational programming, and scholarship opportunities, ArtConnectED celebrates student artistic achievement, promotes innovation and mastery in learning, and helps connect students with post-secondary opportunities in the arts. In addition to my classroom teaching, I regularly present on a wide range of art education topics and facilitate hands-on workshops for art educators at both state and national conferences. These experiences have allowed me to collaborate with educators across the country while continuing to advocate for innovative, student-centered approaches to visual arts education.

I would describe my teaching style as student-centered. My approach to education is grounded in the belief that learning should be fun, so I work tirelessly to develop engaging, meaningful lessons and create a classroom environment that students genuinely want to be a part of. So far, that approach has paid dividends for both my students and myself. Watching students become invested, confident, and excited about learning is one of the most rewarding parts of teaching. For me, the saying, “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life,” truly rings true.

Being named the 2016–17 Illinois Art Education Association Teacher of the Year was an incredible honor, but one of my proudest “Shining Teacher Moments” has been co-creating the nonprofit organization, ArtConnectED, for visual art students across Illinois. What began as a passion project has grown into a transformative organization for Visual Arts education. Now entering our 13th year, ArtConnectED continues to advocate for the arts, foster innovation, and inspire the next generation of visual art students and art educators throughout Illinois.

I hold a Master of Arts in Painting and Drawing as well as a Bachelor of Arts in 2D Studio Art. My academic training provided a strong foundation in both traditional and contemporary studio practices, with an emphasis on developing a personal artistic voice. In addition to my formal education, I am a practicing artist, which continues to inform and deepen my understanding of process, materials, and creative inquiry.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCE: Savannah College of Art and Design, Summer Art Educator Forum, Savannah, GA 2024 Teacher Toolbox, School of the Art Institute Chicago, Chicago, IL 2023 Teacher Toolbox, School of the Art Institute Chicago, Chicago, IL 2022 Illinois Art Educator of the Year 2017 Mid-West Region Art Educator of the Year (NAEA) 2017 Selected to attend Savannah College of Art Design; Design Educator Retreat, 2016 Purchase Award, Beverly Art Center, 2016 Received (IAEA) Illinois Art Education Association Educator Grant, 2013 Received (IAEA) Illinois Art Education Association Educator Grant 2011 Selected to “Educators Artlab” at Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO 2011 Jurors Award; Purchase, “6th Annual Self-Portrait Show”, 33 Collective Gallery, Chicago, IL 2010 Chosen by Prismacolor for “Inspirational Teacher” feature on web site w/ NW art students 2010 Selected to “TICA” (Teacher Institute for Contemporary Art) by The Art Institute of Chicago 2009 Ecolab Grant Recipient 2005 2nd Place, Moraine Valley Community College Community Exhibit, Palos Park, IL 2004 3rd Place, All Student Art Show, Governors State University, Park Forest, IL 2003 Ecolab Grant Recipient 2003 Related Experiences Teacher Toolbox Workshop Presenter, School of the Art Institute Chicago, Chicago, IL 2024 Workshop Presenter, National Art Education Association Conference; San Antonio, TX 2023 Workshop Presenter, National Art Education Association Conference; New York, NY 2021 Workshop Presenter, Illinois Art Education Association Conference; Bloomington, IL 2021 Savannah College of Art and Design Summer Art Educator Forum, Savannah, GA 2019 Art Educator Workshop, CCAD (Columbus College of Art and Design); Columbus, OH 2018 Attended College of Creative Studies Art Educator Retreat, Detroit, MI 2018 Workshop Presenter, Illinois Art Education Association Conference; St. Charles, IL 2017 Workshop Presenter, National Art Education Association Conference; New York, NY 2016 Savannah College of Art and Design, Summer Art Educator Forum, Savannah, GA 2016 Artist Workshop with Jesse Reno, True Measure Gallery, Portland, OR 2015 Art Educator Workshop, MCAD (Minneapolis College of Art and Design); Minneapolis, MN 2015 Workshop Presenter, Illinois Art Education Association Conference; Lisle, IL 2014 Jesse Reno Painting Workshop, Pacific Northwest Art School, Whidbey Island, WA 2014 Workshop Presenter, Illinois Art Education Association Conference; Lisle, IL 2013 Educator Essentials Conference, Savannah College of Art and Design; Savannah, GA 2013 Co-Creator & Director, The Illinois High School Regional Art Exhibition, Chicago, IL 2013 Art Instructor, The Art Center; Highland Park, IL 2012 Art Educator Workshop, MCAD (Minneapolis College of Art and Design); Minneapolis, MN 2012 Educators Artlab, Kansas City Art Institute; Kansas City, MO 2011 Workshop Presenter at Illinois Art Education Association Conference; Bloomington, IL 2011 AP Studio Art Workshop, Columbia College; Chicago, IL 2011 Art Forum, Savannah College of Art and Design; Savannah, GA 2011 Mid West Region AP Studio Art Workshop, Triton College; Chicago, IL 2011 Creativity in the Classroom, Adobe Photoshop Basics, Illinois Institute of Art; Schaumburg, IL 2011 AP Studio Art Workshop, Columbia College; Chicago, IL 2009 Workshop Presenter at Illinois Art Education Association Conference; Lisle, IL 2010 Workshop Presenter at Eastern Illinois University “Media & Methods” Conference; Charleston, IL 2010 “TICA” (Teacher Institute for Contemporary Art), The Art Institute of Chicago; Chicago, IL 2009 Workshop Presenter at Eastern Illinois University “Media & Methods” Conference; Charleston, IL 2006 AP Studio Art Workshop, The Art Institute of Chicago; Chicago, IL EXHIBITION & AWARDS Teacher As Artists, Group Show, ARTSPACE Chicago, Chicago, IL 2024 8th Annual Art Educator Show, Bridgeport Art Center, Chicago, IL 2024 Teacher As Artists, Group Show, ARTSPACE Chicago, Chicago, IL 2023 7th Annual Art Educator Show, Bridgeport Art Center, Chicago, IL 2022 One Of A Kind Show, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL 2022 The Other Art Fair, Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 2022 6th Annual Art Educator Show, Bridgeport Art Center, Chicago, IL 2021 5th Annual Art Educator Show, Bridgeport Art Center, Chicago, IL 2019 Personal Art Exhibition, Hinsdale, IL 2019 4th Annual Art Educator Show, Bridgeport Art Center, Chicago, IL 2018 3rd Annual Art Educator Show, Bridgeport Art Center, Chicago, IL 2017 2nd Annual Art Educator Show, Bridgeport Art Center, Chicago, IL 2016 39th Annual Beverly Arts Center Competition, Beverly Art Center, Chicago, IL 2015 Teacher As Artists, Group Show, Skokie Public Library Gallery, Skokie, IL 2015 1st Annual Art Educator Show, Bridgeport Art Center, Chicago, IL 2015 Zhou B. Art Center, Volossum Gallery, 3rd Floor Gallery, Chicago, IL 2015 10th and Final Self-Portrait Show (Curators Choice), 33 Collective Gallery, Chicago, IL 2015 Identity Interpreted and Assumed: Self Portrait, Union Street Gallery, Chicago Heights, IL 2014 Teacher As Artists, Group Show, Skokie Public Library Gallery, Skokie, IL 2014 8th Annual Self-Portrait Show, 33 Collective Gallery, Chicago, IL 2013 High School Art Teacher Show, Illinois Institute of Art, Chicago IL 2013 MAD World, Union Street Gallery, Chicago Heights, IL 2013 New Works on Paper, Solo Show, Delicious Café, Chicago, IL 2012 Teacher As Artists, Group Show, Skokie Public Library Gallery, Skokie, IL 2012 7th Annual Self-Portrait Show, 33 Collective Gallery, Chicago, IL 2012 Community Exhibit, Moraine Valley Community College, Jack Olson Gallery, Palos Park, IL 2012 Turn It On It’s Side, NIU Group Show, Norris Cultural Center, St. Charles, IL 2012 High School Art Teacher Show, Illinois Institute of Art; Schaumburg, IL 2011 Phobia’s, Solo Show, The Baxter Room, Morton Grove Library, Morton Grove, IL 2011 Teacher As Artists, Group Show, Skokie Public Library Gallery, Skokie, IL 2011 6th Annual Self-Portrait Show, 33 Collective Gallery, Chicago, IL 2010 A Whole New Mind, Governors State University E-Gallery, Park Forest, IL 2010 Image, Attitude, Impression, Union Street Gallery, Chicago Heights, IL 2010 High School Art Teacher Show, Illinois Institute of Art; Schaumburg, IL 2011 Twisted, Solo Show, Gallery Uno Chicago, Chicago, IL http://www.artexhibitionlink.com/zilewiczcatalog.htm 2008 The Group Show, Gallery 33 ½, Chicago, IL 2006 Wonders, Solo Show, Tall Grass Gallery, Park Forest, IL 2005 Twisted, Graduate Exhibition, Governors State University E-Gallery, Park Forest, IL 2005 Moraine Valley Community College Community Exhibit, Jack Olson Gallery, Palos Park, IL 2004