Our Instructors
John Armstrong - Founder, Owner, Instructor - Drawing, Painting, Voice
John's key objectives in founding the Open Arts Studio with his wife Lucy were to provide students with a classical foundation in music, visual, and performance arts while creating a safe, non-competitive, and enjoyable classroom atmosphere. He teaches the Open Arts Drawing Method, singing, voice-overs, and improv. He has a Bachelor of Music from Central Washington University and received his Master's degree in Music & Classical Vocal Performance from the University of Colorado. John has created and studied art since his childhood.
John teaches with passion and excitement to all ages but has a special talent with children. He encourages each student to build their drawing and painting skills with a fun manner that keeps the children wanting to learn more.
Peter Giardina A.K.A "PEKO" - Instructor - Guitar, Piano, Ukelele
Peter Giardina has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education from Youngstown State University in Ohio. He earned his Master's degree in Education Technology from City University. Peter has been working as a public school teacher for 15+ years and has a background in the Orff and Kodaly teaching methods. He has taught guitar privately for 20+ years. Peter has experience in many areas and styles of guitar, such as fingerstyle, classical, electric rhythm and blues, as well as rock. He has participated in many cover bands, tribute bands, and original bands. Peter is also a singer and songwriter.
Mikko Freeman - Instructor - Drawing, Painting
Mikko studied multimedia and fine art at the Northwest College of Art and Design with a focus on oil painting, as well as art history, business and philosophy at the Evergreen State College. For several years he recorded and performed music professionally while maintaining his passion for painting. While traveling in Europe he rediscovered traditional painting for himself after spending days studying Sargent, Leighton, and Waterhouse paintings in the Tate Britain. Deeply moved by these historic works Mikko decided to return to his artistic training in a traditional manner. He moved to Italy and studied classical drawing and painting at the Florence Academy of Art. Steeped in tradition, history and a community of burgeoning realists he began to develop his voice as a representational artist. Currently, Mikko lives, paints, and teaches in the Pacific Northwest.
Carrie Carriveau - Instructor - Ceramics
Carrie Carriveau is a Tacoma, Washington-based artist and ceramics instructor at Open Arts Studio. Carrie has been immersed in the art of ceramics for nearly 20 years. Working under the tutelage of professional potters from across the U.S., Carrie has experience in a multitude of ceramic styles, techniques, and alternative firing methods.
In addition to artistic practice, Carrie also teaches a variety of skill-building ceramics workshops to share her knowledge and passion for the medium and is dedicated to helping her students discover joy and fulfillment through their work.
Beck - Instructor - Kids Pottery
Hey, My name is Beck Brewer. I’m 23 years old and my love for pottery began in high school when I was 15. Outside of pottery, I enjoy camping, spend time with my family and I also love to cook. I’ve always had a passion for art and learning new things. I’m very excited to step into this role as a summer instructor and even more excited to meet all of you!
Rickey - Instructor - Kids Pottery
Rickey is a ceramics instructor with a background in education, earning his Bachelor's in middle school education from Central Washington University. With experience teaching hand-building and wheel-throwing techniques, he is always looking for new ideas to bring to the class.
Rickey found his love for the arts while working alongside local Ellensburg artists who gave him a deeper appreciation for the process of turning clay into personal ceramic pieces.
Rickey's goal is for students to acquire fundamental hand-building and wheel-throwing skills to incorporate their own personalities and styles into their creations. He meets students where they are at to teach a variety of ceramic techniques, no matter how much or how little experience they have.
Erin Latterell Burk - Instructor - Ceramics
Erin Latterell Burk is an artist, photographer, and longtime creative human who believes clay has a sneaky way of teaching us patience, presence, and how to breathe. A former art teacher turned professional photographer and studio artist, she has spent the last two decades helping people make things with their hands and feel more at home in themselves while doing it.
Her classes are rooted in strong foundations, with a healthy dose of curiosity. You'll hear her say, "Once we understand the foundations, we can begin to stretch them and make them into our own." Erin loves helping students slow down, get muddy, and discover that making art can feel both grounding and joyful.
She believes everyone deserves a place at the table, and works to create spaces that are affirming, creatively nourishing, and gently challenging in all the right ways.
When she’s not in the studio, she’s usually photographing humans around the world, chasing good light while listening to music and eating garden carrots, or enjoying her three kiddos.
Chef Jude Barnes - Instructor - Kid's Cooking
Chef Jude Barnes was born in Miami, Florida, and raised in the Atlanta area, where his love of cooking began at an early age. Coming from a family that included dairy farmers, a schoolteacher, and a Florida Everglades fisherman, he learned to appreciate where food comes from and the people who help bring it to the table.
His first job was at Waffle House, an experience that taught him how to work hard, stay organized, and keep a sense of humor in a busy kitchen. In 2014, he moved to California to pursue a fine dining culinary career and spent the next decade working in restaurants, catering, private dining, and food education.
Today, Chef Jude is excited to share his passion for cooking with young chefs. He believes the kitchen is a place to learn creativity, teamwork, problem-solving, and confidence. His classes focus on building practical skills while making delicious food and having fun along the way. Whether students are baking cookies, shaping pretzels, or trying a new ingredient for the first time, Chef Jude's goal is to help every camper feel successful and inspired in the kitchen.