Katye Newhouse
Instructor & Program Support | Prism Community Art School
With years of experience designing and facilitating accessible art spaces, Katye brings a deep belief that creativity is a learned skill — not a talent reserved for a few.
Katye’s work centers people who believe they are “bad at art,” as well as those who have been priced out of traditional classes or intimidated by academic art spaces. Their teaching style emphasizes process over perfection, confidence through repetition, and learning through making — together. Whether guiding first-time painters or seasoned creatives trying something new, Katye focuses on building trust, curiosity, and creative resilience.
In their role at Prism Community Art School, Katye serves as an instructor and right-hand support to the school’s leadership, helping shape curriculum, mentor participants, and maintain the welcoming, community-first culture Prism is known for.
They are especially passionate about intergenerational learning, inclusive classrooms, and treating art education as a form of care.
Outside the classroom, Katye maintains an active personal art practice and continues to advocate for accessible arts programming throughout the local community.
Kari Keller
Instructor & Director | Prism Community Art School
Kari Keller has been a resident of the Champaign–Urbana community since 2008, having originally grown up in the small town of St. Anne, Illinois. Her passion for art emerged at an early age and has remained a defining part of her life ever since. Kari is a multidisciplinary artist who enjoys experimenting with a wide range of styles and mediums, rarely confining herself to a single theme or approach.
In addition to her personal artistic practice, Kari is deeply committed to arts education. She has taught numerous classes in stained glass, acrylic painting, and mosaic art at various local venues, sharing both technical skills and creative confidence with students of all ages. Beyond the classroom, she operates a successful face painting business called "Kari's Occasions", bringing creativity and joy to festivals, private events, and community gatherings throughout the area.
Kari finds her greatest fulfillment when immersed in a new creative project or guiding others through their own artistic journeys. Teaching and creating are central to her identity, and she cannot imagine a life without art.