Meet Our Instructors

Christine Thornton is the owner and founder of Hello Art Studio. She has a BFA in Art Education from the University of Illinois. She was an elementary school art teacher in Mt. Prospect D26, then a SAHM and children’s book illustrator after her kids were born. She taught art lessons out of her house for many years, then opened Hello Art Studio for kids in 2019. Since then she’s hired a team of teachers and expanded into the space next door to better serve this thriving creative community. Now Christine teaches Weekly Classes for ages 7-14 (Multimedia Art and Drawing Skills) as well as Parties, Workshops and Mini Camps.

Lauren Chaharbakhshi is a former science teacher turned art educator. Ms. Lauren has been part of the Hello Art Studio team since we opened in 2019. She specializes in working with young children and developing our Little Artists curriculum for ages 3-6. She also teaches abstract paint pouring and fiber arts.

Lori Ann Greidanus has 20 years of teaching experience with a background in reading and art. She creates and teaches our Art Start classes for ages 5-7. Ms. Lori Ann is thrilled to be a teacher at Hello Art Studio.

Tara Schile has a background in theater, education and art. At Hello Art Studio, Ms. Tara teaches Workshops and Mini Camps. She specializes in coming up with creative ideas that kids love.