Using Art as a Catalyst to Engage, Teach and Inspire
Our organization was founded on the core belief that creativity is essential to learning and personal well-being. It’s not about making everyone a great artist, it really comes down to giving the public access to opportunities that allow them to experience art from others, take ownership of their ideas and express themselves without fear.
Preferred Pronouns: She/Her
Kate Warren
I founded Art120 in 2010. because art empowers people, and everyone deserves to find their inner strength. I rely on my 20+ years in marketing, graphic design, arts event management, and visual art to develop educational programs and create art events that connect people from different backgrounds and abilities. Through partnerships with area schools and fellow organizations, Art120 has been able to reach over 12.000 people each year, and has allowed Art120 to help a few of our students and extend their careers to schools such as The Art Institute of Chicago, and Warren Wilson College. We hope to further help more students by taking on students in the near future.
Preferred Pronouns: She/Her
Sadaf Iqbal Khan
My passion is to serve society through art. I have earned two Bachelor’s degree’s—focusing on Fine Arts (painting) and Textile Design (weaving). As an artist, I am always looking to develop new skills and find new applications for my work. My experiences includes working overseas for about a year in the opening of a clothing outlet; I helped in the building up of inventory and setting up of the team of textile designers. After that I was able to further my skills while serving, for ten years, as a lecturer in textile design at renowned Karachi universities. Currently I work as an artist with the non-profit Art120, and I also run the after-school art club for the upper and lower elementary at Annoor Academy. Sadaf is managing cultural education and outreach for Art120’s jingle truck program.
Meet Our Art120 Teacher Artist’s
Gaz Gazzola
Gaz Gazzola is a licensed and insured scenic carpenter and metal fabricator. Her passions run deep for upcycled/salvaged art, kinetic public sculptures and being an inspirational catalyst for artistic growth in the community. Gaz has a healthy obsession with sharing her knowledge and experience but she knows she will also always be a student. "I'm an ever expanding ball of energetic information and I have this visceral calling to inspire."
Preferred Pronouns: She/They/It
Ondina Aguirre
Mexico native Ondina Aguirre has a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Sculpting with an emphasis in Metalsmithing from The University of Houston. She also has an Associate’s degree in interior design and acquired knowledge from photography, ceramics, and life drawing classes at a community college. After networking at an Artcar event in Houston, Texas, Aguirre joined this year’s 2024 summer Urban Artbike program on a mission to inspire students to use art as a motivation to complete their education just as it did for her. She aspires to spread her creativity through “creating something fresh out of something old with found objects”.
Preferred Pronouns: She/Her
Meet Our Interns!
DeAsia Powell 2022-Pressent
My name is DeAsia Powell. I am 19 years old, and a native of Chattanooga, Tennessee! I graduated from East Ridge High School, and am currently studying Entertainment Journalism and Audio Production at Middle Tennessee State University. My 3rd year working as a communications intern at Art120 has allowed me to interact with various forms of art from many cultures; acquiring early career experience and transferable skills in the communications, media, and business fields.
Preferred Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Anthony Nguyen Present
Hi, my name is Anthony Nguyen. I am 16 years old and an upcoming Junior at Lookout Valley Middle/High School. I like playing sports, learning languages (right now specifically Spanish and a bit of Korean), playing video games, and mostly creating art. I have been drawing for most of my life and hope to major in and have a career in graphic design.
Preferred Pronouns: He/Him
Our Previous Interns
Laila Smith 2015-2022
Laila Smith was born and raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She is interested in fiction writing, and is working on a collection of poetry. She has work in vol. 6 of The Oakland Arts Review, and hopes to see her writing in many more publications. Laila is going into her final year at Warren Wilson College, and is studying Creative Writing. She hopes to go into a career in journalism and/or professional editing in the future.
Preferred Pronouns: She/Her/They
Preferred Pronouns: He/Him
Ivan Warren
Hello! My name is Ivan Warren, I am an Industrial Design student who traveled here all the way from H-Town (Houston). I am passionate about everything creative and have been involved in art since the day I could hold a pencil. I like to dance in my free time, and hope to pursue sustainability and accessibility design in the future. My goal at Art120 is to share my design knowledge and help people get creative to accomplish their visions!
Preferred Pronouns: She/Her
Katlyn kelly
Katlyn is an incoming sophomore starting fall semester with a major in Bio-chemistry. She will attend Warren Wilson College where she will be a beginner RA/mentor for incoming black residents. She is a nature lover and enjoys learning from all kinds of beautiful people! One day she hopes to inspire people to look for change in a better world.
Tory Battle
Hello everyone, my name is Tory Battle. I am a upcoming sophomore at CCA (Center For Creative Arts). My major is technical theater and I enjoy playing video games. I'm also currently working on my upcoming clothing line as well planning to create my very own nonprofit organization.
Preferred Pronouns: He/Him
Olivia Beck
My name is Olivia Beck. I am an upcoming Junior at Soddy Daisy High School and a clarinet in the Trojan Marching Band and Wind Ensemble. I love photography, reading, music, and nature. I am a hard worker and a great listener. I have a younger brother and a dog named Pepper. I plan on going to a 4- year college and do something that makes a difference in the environment and society.
Preferred Pronouns: She/Her
Mariah Laux
Mariah Laux is a senior at Signal Mountain High School. She is active in Model United Nations, National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, and more. She is the captain of the climbing team and has won awards in foreign language and math. She loves to learn, and is interested in science and politics. Mariah hopes that her work with Art 120 will teach her skills about becoming a better communicator and learning to creatively problem solve while having fun with a team.
Preferred Pronouns: She/Her
Mya Toney
My name is Mya Toney. I am a upcoming senior at Ooltewah High School, planning to go to East Tennessee State University majoring in psychology. I love to paint and draw and learn new things, especially about us humans, and how the mind works. One day, I want to be a motivational speaker, looked at as a leader, that inspires others to be great.
Preferred Pronouns: She/Her