Monica and Jay are excited to be owners of Children’s Art Classes in Fairfield, Connecticut. They have two young children, Luke (2.5 years old) and Sonia (10 months old), as well as a 12-year-old chocolate lab named Chip.
Monica is a graduate of The Rhode Island School of Design, where she majored in Textiles. Her work earned her a Fulbright Grant to Poland and allowed her to explore sociopolitical influences on contemporary Polish textile art. This experience led her to pursue an interdisciplinary graduate program in Eastern European studies at the University of Bologna in Italy, where she earned an MA degree. Monica previously worked at a consumer products marketing company in Connecticut, managing the product development of jewelry and handbags, and grew into a senior manager role within the Human Resources department. She recently stepped back from her corporate job to spend more time with their young children. She brings all her skills and passion to Children’s Art Classes as an owner and teacher!
Jay has been a commercial underwriter for banks in Boston, New York City, and Connecticut (where he works now). He holds an MBA from the University of Notre Dame and a BA in Economics and International Relations from Boston University. Though visual arts were never his strong suit (it all went downhill after his third-grade art teacher said his strawberry drawing looked like an apple), Jay is a classically trained singer (first tenor) with extensive experience singing in church choirs, college a capella groups, and chamber music groups. He shares Monica’s enthusiasm for the arts, both as a key component of a well-rounded individual and as a passion that can be carried into adulthood.
Monica and Jay firmly believe that art equips children with invaluable life skills. The ability to translate abstract ideas into tangible (or audible) works of art leads to creative problem solving in all areas of life. At a time when children need more creative outlets than ever before, they are thrilled to offer kids a safe space to learn, explore, and create. Monica and Jay would not be who they are without a handful of dedicated and supportive arts teachers and their hope is to pay it forward to a new generation of students through CAC Fairfield!