Sarah Catlin (she/her), Executive Director

​Sarah was born and raised in Springfield, Missouri, and relocated to Columbia from South Carolina in 1999 to work on a Ph.D. at the University of Missouri, focusing on women writers of the American South, folklore, and film. For the last decade she balanced raising kids and volunteering on non-profit boards and commissions, including Ragtag Film Society, CARE@Paquin, Citizen Jane Film Festival, YAAL Rock! (CoMo Girls Rock!), the Chamber of Commerce Women’s Network, and the Downtown Columbia Leadership Council. She has been a volunteer on-air programmer at KOPN 89.5 FM since 2007. Sarah is happy to be feeding her passion of providing opportunities to underserved communities through her work with Access Arts.

Kenna Weber (she/her), Director of Operations

​Kenna holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design and Commercial Art from William Woods University. She has worked as an Interior Designer in St. Louis and later served as a Senior Interior Designer at the University of Missouri Residential Life for over 20 years, where she was the lead designer of 16 facilities. Kenna also worked as a Project Manager at MU Healthcare before retiring in 2023. Outside of work, Kenna has contributed to the community by teaching art units for 4H, serving as a Scout leader, and teaching through Columbia’s adult education and Parks and Recreation. She is passionate about the arts and enjoys quilting, jewelry making, and creating nature collages. Kenna is also a Certified Aromatherapist with products featured at local businesses and runs a Furniture restoration business.

Andrew Ludwig (he/him),

Ceramics Studio Manager, Clay Artist & Instructor

​Andrew Ludwig grew up in St. Louis, but has spent the better part of a decade here in Columbia. He got his start in clay here at Access Arts in 2021, and immediately fell in love with the medium. Andrew is excited to take the next step as a potter with the organization where his journey began! His functional ware is characterized by geometric forms and contrasting colors, while decorative pieces often feature the chaos and spontaneity of raku.

Marina Cano (she/her),

Fiber Studio Manager, Weaving Artist &Instructor

​Marina G. Cano is a fiber artist from El Paso Texas, with a MFA in Visual Studies from the University of Missouri in Columbia focusing on weaving, fiber sculpture and installation. Cano’s work is guided by personal experiences as a mixed Mexican and American woman living in and out of the U.S Southwest Mexico Border. Cano wraps and binds religious icons, sentimental objects, and raw materials to create a personal narrative that speaks to the amalgamation of religions and bi-cultural aesthetics within the borderland region. Her work has been featured in the Greater Denton Arts Council’s 37th annual Materials: Hard + Soft International Contemporary Craft Competition and Exhibition and in the Surface Design Association’s “Interplay” exhibition at The Dairy Barn Art Center. Cano is a recipient of the Verna Welfekammer Art Doctoral Fund, the Windgate University Fellowship partnered with Arrowmount School of Craft, and a Studio Assistantship with the Penland School of Craft. In 2019, she earned a BFA in Fibers from University of North Texas.

McKenzie Birdsell (she/they), Youth Programs Coordinator

​​McKenzie is an educator and multidisciplinary artist from Kirksville, MO. She enjoys exploring a wide range of media and techniques, both in her art practice and with her students. Her primary focus areas are fiber art, painting, and printmaking. McKenzie is currently a student at Columbia College, pursuing a Bachelor of Art and K-12 Art Education Certification, and is an active member of the Missouri Art Education Association. McKenzie has professional experience working with individuals with disabilities of all ages and is passionate about bringing quality art education to everyone. She is excited to build her presence in the community and continue to enrich the lives of others through the arts.

Our Talented Instructors

Christian McKinzie (he/him), Ceramic Artist & Instructor

Christian McKinzie found a passion for ceramics while pursuing a degree in Nursing at the University of Missouri, Columbia. He completed his BSN in December 2022 with a Minor in Fine Arts. He is a retired Army Medic and RN at the University ED. His ceramic work focuses on wheel-thrown vessels, consisting of mostly functional items. His past work has been focused on the unique colors and textures created by high-temperature atmospheric salt/soda firings. He is excited about this new opportunity to work with this organization and see where the journey takes him.

Emily Smith (she/her), Weaving Artist & Instructor

​Emily Smith is a multimedia artist from Colorado and (more recently) Virginia, with a B.A. in Heritage Studies and a minor in Studio Art from Randolph College. She has worked in painting, stitch, natural fibers, and dyes since childhood. Formerly the collections manager for the Randolph College Natural History & Archaeology collections, Smith is currently a graduate student at the University of Missouri, pursuing an MFA in Fibers with an emphasis on natural dye processes, spinning, and weaving. Many of her fibers and dyes are foraged from her immediate environment. Smith received the Windgate University Fellowship to study needle felting at the Arrowmont School of Craft. Emily is passionate about the revival and reinterpretation of traditional crafts in contemporary, community-based arts. She exhibits work at MU and at Columbia Arts League.

Kate Dodig (she/her), Spinning Instructor

​​Kate moved to Columbia from Las Vegas in 2021 and apprenticed under Carol Leigh Brack-Kaiser. She is a multimedia artist who loves to spin, felt, weave, forage, and dye. She loves to share her knowledge of art history, fiber arts, and natural materials. She is now teaching the spinning classes at Access Arts and participates in community events with the Columbia Weavers and Spinners' Guild.

Bee Brookes (she/her), Youth Programs Instructor

​Bee is an artist and teacher from Columbia. She earned her BFA with concentrations in ceramics and sculpture from the University of Missouri in 2007. After a long break, she went back to school and earned her Masters in Art Education from Columbia College in 2020. Bee has taught art in public schools from preschool through high school and workshops for kids and adults. At home, you will find Bee hanging out with her daughter, hand-building clay, sewing costumes, or catching up on her favorite sci-fi shows and audiobooks.

Much of our programming and other offerings are possible not only with the staff members listed above, but also due to the wonderful artists we have in attendance through our Artist in Residence program. Check out our current resident artists at the link below.

We're hiring!

Year-Round Adaptive Aides This position is for year-round adaptive aides. The position is very fluid with work being available as students with needs register for classes. Aides may be needed for adult weaving, spinning, clay or children's classes and camps. Aides are needed for support of a variety of students, visual or physical impairment, neurodivergent, etc.

Schools Out Teacher

This position is temporary and seasonal. There are 13 Schools Out days for 2024-2025 school year. Applicants ideally will be able to teach all 13 days of Schools out, though we will entertain applicants who are available for fewer days. An additional week of teaching during our Spring Break camp is also an option.

We have multiple positions open for morning and afternoon. Each shift is 5.5 hours with an hour of overlap to accommodate some prep/cleanup time mid-day. Teachers work 7:30 am - 1 pm or 12 pm -5:30.