ABOUT US

Each of our instructors is a highly qualified artist and a caring, creative individual who enjoy sharing the joy of art with students young and old. At MONART we each come from diverse backgrounds and with different experiences, but we all have been trained and strongly believe in the MONART Method and philosophy and in the importance of the arts in the quality of one's life and in the community.

Nancy Daniel, Owner/Instructor

I have considered myself an artist since I was a child.  Art was what I most enjoyed!  My passion for art brought me to Colorado after highschool.  I graduated from the Colorado Institute of Art and developed a successful career as a graphic designer.  As a freelance graphic designer, I was able to focus on raising my 3 young children and maintain a fulfilling career. 

As my children grew, I realized I was looking for something new and pursued ways to  share my passion for art with kids.  I discovered MONART and dreamed of owning my own studio.  My dream came true when I was personally trained by it's founder, Mona Brookes and opened Monart in Parker in 2005.  I am thrilled with opportunities MONART has brought into my life and consider myself privileged to introduce hundreds of children to art through my school, and look forward to working with future generations of artists for a long time to come!

Karen Casteel-Rodeheaver, Instructor

Art has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember.  I grew up in the Appalachian mountains of West Virginia, surrounded by family members with artistic talents; an internationally known gunsmith artisan, a textile artist, painter, sculptor, and poet. These people were my first artistic influences and remain as an inspiration for my love of handcrafts.

While earning a BFA in Graphic Design at Marshall University in 1988, I took my first clay class.  I had a deep desire to learn more about this fantastic substance.  I continued taking clay classes until graduating in 1991.  I began doing freelance design in Houston, TX, then working in sales & Interior Design.  After returning to West Virginia, I began studying at Marshall University Graduate School of Art, specializing in Ceramics.  Soon, I was exhibiting & selling work in West Virginia, Ohio and Virginia.

I now find myself living in this beautiful state, with a wonderful husband and two great children.  I am in a rewarding position with Monart, and I am thrilled to be teaching my passion for art to children and adults of our community.  I enjoy fostering creativity, without competition – which is possible every day at Monart.