Meet our new 2023 Training Class!
Silpa Baby: Silpa is a software professional and art has always been her inspiration as a kid. It was during the pandemic that she reconnected with her creative self. Besides art, she loves traveling and has an eye for interior design. As an Art Docent, she wishes to share her passion for art.
Izzy Delling: Izzy grew up in Germany where she became a teacher for math, German language and for art in joint missions with fellow teachers. She is looking forward to teaching and spreading her love of art again. A permanent ambition of hers is igniting sparks of passion in those who are still on the lookout for that something special.
Michele Grancell: Hello, my name is Michele (she/her/hers). I’ve been in the Los Gatos community since 2013, and my children attended Daves and Fisher. I was an active volunteer at both schools, most recently serving on the Fisher Music Boosters executive board. Through my childhood and early adult life, I was a performance artist with a focus on modern dance. Since about 2012, I have spent many wonderful hours supporting various children’s musical theater companies while my children took to the stage. I love the visual arts and enjoy learning about art history, process and content. I look forward to bringing art to the classroom and exploring it with the students of Los Gatos.
Mimi Kearns: Mimi Kearns is a California native and retired RN. She graduated from UC Berkeley and completed a 5 year botanical artist certification at Filoli Gardens. She has participated in state and local art associations as an oil painter (and other mediums) for 25 years with exhibitions in various museums and galleries.
She loves children and is anxious to share her enthusiasm for the creative process and art appreciation as a workshop helper.
Margaret Luo : Margaret is a local artist who recently moved to the Bay Area from Boston. Prior to becoming a full-time artist, Margaret was a data scientist working at a policy research company, focused on improving social and community well-being in the health industry. Margaret now is a self-taught oil painter who uses her inspiration from the natural world to bring her viewers into expansive landscapes. Margaret enjoys working with children and has been a tutor and swim coach. Margaret joined the Art Docents program to further her involvement in her local arts community. She values the importance of fostering an appreciation for the arts at an early age and is looking forward to meeting with her community!
Kathleen Magid: Kathleen was born in Los Gatos and she was 10 years old when Art Docents started coming to her classroom and made a positive impression. She was always surrounded with artists through her mom and developed an appreciation for art. Kathleen wanted to give back to the wonderful community by joining and volunteering as an Art Docent. She also loves working with children and is excited to enhance their lives through art.
Tim Nauss: Tim is a retired hospitality executive. He has spent many years working overseas in the Caribbean and Asia. Tim relocated with his family to Los Gatos this summer. He and his wife have two daughters, ages 11 and 13, that attend Fisher Middle and Los Gatos High. Both his daughters have a great love of art and are currently enrolled at the Marvegos School. Tim believes that art is a pillar in the educational process of children and is excited to join an organization devoted to that goal.Tim wants to be involved in the community and believes Art Docents is a great vehicle to help children learn about the foundational aspects of art. He is looking forward to participating in art presentations to the youth of Los Gatos as well as broadening his own knowledge of art history and its creative aspects.
Marija Palovska: Maria grew up in Macedonia and moved to Los Gatos in 2022 with her husband and 3 children. While in Macedonia, she graduated in architecture and began working from home as an artist after her first child was born. Maria specialized as a paper artist in 2D and 3D art and created mosaics and jewelry. She enjoyed working from home, as it allowed her to be with her children. When Maria and her family first arrived in Los Gatos it was daunting to be in a new country. She didn’t know anyone and just getting used to a new area and language was a challenge. Maria is excited to become an Art Docent as a wonderful way to reconnect with art, contribute to the community and meet new people.
Radhika Sinha: Radhika is a software engineer by profession and an artist by passion. Art has always been a great source of relaxation and creative exploration for her. She is more than happy to collaborate with Art Docents and share her passion for art with the community.
Priya Vijaykumar: Priya recently moved to the Los Gatos area with her husband and son. She is a Computer Science engineer and works in tech as a Product Manager. Priya loves traveling, hiking and exploring her creative side by trying out different activities. She is always looking for opportunities to give back to the community, especially kids’ education. The Art Docent program was perfect in that way allowing her to learn more about art while bringing what she learns to the children.
Niya Wu: I was born and raised in China, graduated with a BA in Art and Design, worked as a graphic designer in my earlier career, and later switched to marketing management. My family moved to the U.S. in 2018, and my daughter is a sixth grader. I am thrilled to be a part of the Art Docents because of my fascination with art and my willingness to make a positive contribution to both the school and the community.
Sherry Cohen : My name is Sherry Cohen and I am delighted to join the Art Docents this year! One of my greatest joys as a mother was exposing my children to various types of art. As a result my three teenagers all enjoy visiting museums and have an appreciation of various types of art from pre-French revolutionary art to modern art. It would be wonderful to incite a similar love and appreciation of art in other children as well. In addition to raising my three busy teens, I enjoy hiking, reading, improving my golf game and spending time with my family and beloved Black Labrador, Jack.