Thank You!
Our 2026 Character Design programs are sponsored by:
Support for our Creative Workforce Development programs is provided by:
Milton & Sally Avery
Arts Foundation
Creative Art Works' programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. Creative Art Works' creative workforce development programs receive support from the Leroy Neiman and Janet Byrne Neiman Foundation, the Lily Auchincloss Foundation, the Milton & Sally Avery Arts Foundation, the Pinkerton Foundation, and the William Talbott Hillman Foundation. This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.
Our People
Teaching Artists
Syr-Ivan Bennett, CAW Teaching Artist
Dani Coca, CAW Teaching Artist
Joey Jiménez, CAW Teaching Artist
Paul Varano, CAW Teaching Artist
Madeline De León, Program Coordinator & Substitute Teaching Artist
Kevin Claiborne, Program Manager
Staff
Karen Jolicoeur, Executive Director
Ian Newton, Director of Finance and Administration
Riki Sabel, Senior Manager – Teaching & Learning
Donna Manganello, Senior Program Manager
Kevin Claiborne, Program Manager
Madeline De León, Program Coordinator
Clair Vogel, Development Manager
Scott Lucas, Manager of Marketing & Communications
EJ Meehan, Finance & Administration Coordinator
Paola Gonzalez, Development & Communications Coordinator
Work-Based Learning Coordinators
Carol Sun, Work-Based Learning Coordinator and CTE Leader
Manhattan Early College Academy for Marketing and Media Arts (MECA)
Francesca Moore & Danielle Palumbo
Urban Assembly Gateway School for Technology
Joyce Soberal Lopez, Work-Based Learning Director / School Counselor
Information Technology High School:
Thomas Poon, Work-Based Learning Coordinator
Chelsea CTE
Visiting Professionals
Marcy Pritchard
Vice President of Production New York, Titmouse
Marcy Pritchard is an esteemed children’s entertainment executive and production management veteran with over 25 years of experience in the animation industry. She currently serves as the Vice President of Production for the New York studio of Titmouse, the award-winning independent animation studio behind hits like Big Mouth, The Legend of Vox Machina, and Star Trek: Lower Decks. In this role, Marcy oversees day-to-day production operations, manages client relationships for New York-based projects, and leads the strategic growth, training, and expansion of the local production teams.
Hyesu Lee
Illustrator & Educator
Hyesu Lee is a dynamic New York-based illustrator and muralist celebrated for her warm, playful, and community-driven visual storytelling. Her distinct style focuses on capturing the joy of everyday life and fostering connections through public art. In addition to collaborating with a diverse range of international commercial clients and publications, Hyesu is a dedicated educator. She frequently shares her expertise as a guest speaker and mentor for youth art initiatives, including Creative Art Works' Character Design internship program. She operates her independent practice out of Brooklyn, New York.