Saratoga Springs, UT

Ryan Simmons

ryans@childrensartclasses.com
801-960-3261

Ryan started his art career animating on feature films while working at Dreamworks and Warner Bros studios. His animation skills contributed to the films Quest for Camelot, The Road to El Dorado, Spirit and The Iron Giant.

His animations have won many awards and his art skills have been used in TV commercials, online games, collectible cards and embroidered logos.

Ryan has been a guest art instructor for many secondary schools, colleges, businesses and conventions. He taught animation for nine years at Utah Valley University where he helped students use their art skills to bring characters and stories to life!

Beckie Ludlow

bludlow@cac.art
385-204-3307

Beckie realized she had a passion for art when she tried painting for the first time in 4th grade and has been painting ever since. She graduated in art education at BYU and taught K-6th grade elementary art for 3 years. She loves oil painting, colored pencil, graphite drawing, and experimenting with different types of art. Her happy place is turning on music and spending hours painting in the studio. When she’s not making art, she’s playing piano, watching movies, and spending time with family.

Beckie loves working with young artists to increase their passion for art. Her objective is to cultivate a space where students are eager to engage with art, fostering creativity that allows them to focus wholeheartedly on building skills and developing their voice. She looks forward to continuing learning, pursuing creative interests, and creating more artwork in the future.

Billi Hatfield

bhatfield@cac.art
360-969-2383

Billi moved to Saratoga Springs in 2024 after completing her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Prior to that, she and her family lived in Pensacola, Florida, where her husband completed his twilight tour in the U.S. Navy after 28 years of service. During their many military moves around the country and overseas, Billi wore many hats—including owning and operating her own hair and nail salon while stationed in Japan.

Billi has always been an artist. Whether creating works of art with hair, painting masterpieces in miniature scale on someone’s nails, or crafting her latest endeavors; bold 60″×40″ alcohol ink creations, her love for art knows no bounds. Now she has turned her passion to teaching, where she brings the same creativity, warmth, and attention to detail that have defined her artistic journey.

Billi believes that everyone has an artist within them waiting to be discovered. Her classes focus on building confidence, fostering creativity, and creating a supportive community where students feel empowered to explore their own artistic voice. When she’s not teaching, you can find her experimenting with new techniques in her studio or exploring the beautiful and varied landscapes of Utah for inspiration.

Janille Weaver

janilleweaver@yahoo.com

Janille has had a passion for art all her life. She finds art inspiring and very relaxing. She looks for new art ideas, loves to learn and challenges herself often with new art projects.

Janille has taught art of multiple mediums at Ascent Academy in Lehi, UT with the Great Artist Program (GAP), to all ages of children K-6th grade, for more than 8 years. She loves to watch the incredible masterpieces that the children create. She also teaches art to her own children at home. She believes that art can improve self-esteem, build confidence, teach important life skills through all varieties of art, and that everyone is an artist and can create beautiful and amazing art.

Janille enjoys singing, playing her Theremini, caring for her indoor and outdoor plants, and spending time with friends and with her husband and 4 children.

Jared & Christina Hansen

Jared & Christina are excited to be owners of Children’s Art Classes in Saratoga Springs, UT.

Jared is an Idaho native and USAF veteran.  Christina is a native of Colorado.  They were married in 1999 and following many adventures in the Air Force and Defense Department they settled in Saratoga Springs in 2016.

After many years of public service they have recognized the need to nurture our children’s self-directing, creative natures in a world that needs more ‘creative problem solvers’ than ever before.  More lead, less follow.  More create, less repeat.  Let’s let our kids become what they’re meant to become!

They have three children who all love to create and are super excited to give kids a first class art opportunity in the Saratoga Springs area!