The ArtSpace Faculty:

Arts Integration Team

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Josh Batenhorst (Arts Integration Team Lead/Theater Arts Teacher) grew up in Texas where he received his B.A. in Theatre Arts from Southwestern University. He moved to North Carolina in 2002  to work as a resident artist with North Carolina Stage Company. Since then he has continued to work in both the world of professional theatre and education. His theatre work has included directing multiple professional productions and founding his own theatre company - Bat & Horse Theatre Arts. In addition to working at ArtSpace since 2006, he has worked with the Lake Eden Arts Festival, NC Stage, UNCA, and Asheville Community Theatre. In addition, he  has done presentations and workshops on theatre-arts education and arts integration at multiple state-wide conferences and as a Teaching Fellow with A+ Schools of North Carolina.

Josh was awarded "Best Actor" by Southwestern University in 2001, and was a member of the university's "Not-So-Secret Senior Society" and Alpha Chi Honor Society. He enjoys good food, playing guitar, singing the blues, cracking puns and making new friends. Josh lives with his partner, Amber, and her two daughters, Kaiya and Jordan.

Josh can be contacted at 298-2787 ext. 623 or via email at josh.batenhorst at artspacecharter dot org.

Steve Lipe (Instructional Technology Facilitator) was born in Kittery, ME, but went to school in Fayetteville, NC. He earned his B.S. in Recreation Administration and M.A. in Communication Studies from UNC-Greensboro. He received his K-6 teaching certification from UNC-A and also has a M.S. in Library Sciences from Appalachian State. He joined ArtSpace in 2001. Steve has been involved in educational technology since he began teaching. He now helps students create 2-D and 3-D animations, stop-action (claymation) movies, computerized landscapes, as well as multimedia presentations, wikis and blogs.  Since 1999, he has reviewed software and Internet resources for the N.C. DPI, and continues to empower teachers and students become 21st century learners.

Steve can be contacted at steve.lipe at artspacecharter dot org or at 298-2787 ext. 610.

Cherie Holmes (Dance Teacher) is a native of Western North Carolina. She attended UNC School of the Arts and acquired her Theatre Arts Teaching License with honors from UNC Asheville . She has danced, studied, choreographed and directed dance and theatre performances throughout the Southeast. For many years she specialized as a trainer and educator for a consumer company. She joined ArtSpace in 2006.

Cherie lives in Asheville with her husband, Mark Sanborn, and their son, Tyler, an ArtSpace graduate who currently attends the UNC School of the Arts as a ballet major .

Cherie can be contacted at 298-2787 ext. 617 or via email at cherie.holmes at artspacecharter dot org.

Gwen Ottinger (Visual Arts Teacher) received her B.F.A. with a concentration in ceramics from East Carolina University. She then had a pottery apprenticeship in Baltimore, before moving to Asheville where she received her K-12 Visual Arts license from UNC-A in 2001. Gwen joined ArtSpace in 2003 and currently works part-time as a Visual Arts Teacher.

Outside of school, Gwen enjoys gardening, pottery, printmaking and mostly spending time with friends and her daughters, Cyra and Pearla, and her husband, Pete.

Gwen can be contacted at 298-2787 ext. 628 or via email at gwen.ottinger at artspacecharter dot org.

Katie Oaks (Music Teacher) was born in Winchester, KY, but was raised in Nolensville, TN. She received a Bachelor’s degree in both Music Education and Music Performance from Middle Tennessee State University and is licensed for instrumental, vocal, and general music grades Kindergarten through 12. She has specialized in music for early childhood education. After starting her teaching career in Tennessee, she moved to Asheville and taught at Hanger Hall School for Girls before joining ArtSpace in August 2008.

Katie lives in West Asheville with her husband, Eric. In her spare time, she enjoys watching old movies, playing cards, and alternative baking for individuals with special dietary needs, which she has done professionally. She also volunteers at the West Asheville food cooperative, Haywood Road Market.

Katie can be contacted at katie.oaks at artspacecharter dot org or at 298-2787 ext. 641.

Kristina Shriver (Visual Art Teacher/Teaching Assistant) was raised internationally and loves artistic styles from all over the world. She received a B.A. in Art Education and license in K-12 Art from UNC-Asheville. She began working at ArtSpace in 2008 and continues as a part-time Visual Arts Teacher and part-time Teaching Assistant.

She has made this beautiful area her home and loves cooking, silversmithing, dancing, and hanging out with her husband and two cats.

Kristina can be contacted at 298-2787 ext. 626 or via email at kristina.shriver at artspacecharter dot org.

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