The Team
Who We Are

Ahmed Ibrahim
Lead Artist/ Mosaics
Ahmed Ibrahim, a mosaic artist since 2000 and winner of the 14th International Mosaic Meeting in Chartres, France, is renowned for his belief in pushing beyond comfort zones to achieve artistic growth.
Ahmed contributed to large-scale mosaic projects with the Sabry Mansour team, including murals at Ahram Canadian University and Helwan University in Cairo. His mosaics are showcased in public spaces across the Greater Chicagoland area, both indoors and outdoors.
As a dedicated Mosaic Teaching Artist, Ahmed currently teaches at the Hyde Park Art Center and has previously instructed at The Chicago Mosaic School, The Art Center Highland Park, and The Stirling Hall Art Center. His work has been exhibited both nationally and internationally.
Ahmed holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mural Arts from Helwan University in Cairo, Egypt.
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Azadeh Hussaini
Multidisciplinary
Azadeh Hussaini is an Iranian-American visual artist, educator, and curator based in the Chicago area. She holds an MFA in Non-Figurative Painting from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco and a BFA from Azad Art University in Tehran.
With over two decades of teaching experience, Azadeh is dedicated to fostering artistic growth, guiding students in drawing, color theory, and composition. As an interdisciplinary artist, she works across installation, assemblage, and sculpture, exploring themes of identity, displacement, and social justice. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, earning recognition for its depth and innovation. Azadeh is passionate about mentoring artists and encouraging creative exploration through both structure and experimentation.


Jessica Mcilhon
Multidisciplinary
Jessica Mcilhon is a multidisciplinary artist specializing in textile design and ice dyeing. As the founder of Scoops Color Lab, she transforms garments into vibrant, one-of-a-kind creations through the art of ice tie-dyeing. She has a background in various artistic mediums and has her greatest passion for glass and textile dyeing. Her work explores resilience, joy, and transformation through color and texture. Jessica shares her expertise through YouTube tutorials and hands-on workshops, inspiring others to “chase happiness, wildly.”
Kajsa Meyer
multidisciplinary
Kajsa Meyer is a multidisciplinary artist and elementary art educator based in Chicago, with deep roots in Colorado. She holds a B.A. in Art with a focus on K-12 Education and Fine Arts from North Park University. Inspired by the beauty of the natural world, Kajsa’s work captures the movement, color, and energy of dynamic landscapes. While acrylic painting remains her primary medium, she has recently embraced textural papier-mâché techniques, adding depth and dimension to her artistic practice.
Beyond the studio and classroom, Kajsa is the co-founder of Arts & Eats, an innovative event business she runs with her sister. By combining hands-on craft workshops with curated culinary experiences, Arts & Eats fosters creativity, connection, and community in a lively, social setting.
Whether teaching, creating, or hosting, Kajsa is dedicated to making art accessible and inspiring for all, helping others uncover and express their unique artistic voices.


Lauren Yeager
Embroidery
Lauren Yeager is a textile artist with a passion for studying and preserving historical garments and embroidery. She earned her BFA in Fashion Design from Columbia College Chicago and has trained in traditional hand embroidery techniques with the Royal School of Needlework in the UK, the Japanese Embroidery Center in Atlanta, and Ecole Lesage in France.
Her experience includes working as a core team production assistant for visual artist Nick Cave, contributing to the creation of Sound Suits and installation pieces for museums and private collections. She later transitioned into a full-time teaching role with the San Francisco School of Needlework and Design.
Lauren has an extensive background as a freelance artist and designer, assisting in costume production for performances and exhibitions. Her work has received multiple awards for excellence in construction and embroidery, including DCASE individual artist grants from the City of Chicago. In 2024, she relocated her in-person practice to Chicago, focusing on growing her brand and sharing her expertise with new students.
Natalie Simon
Fashion Design
Natalie Simon is a Chicago-based textile artist with a deep-rooted passion for fiber arts, which began in childhood with her love for knitting. She explores the intricate relationships between fabric, geometry, rhythm, and color, incorporating these elements into her work through knitting, crocheting, and sewing. Her artistic practice is driven by a fascination with the intersection of textiles, mathematics, and music, embracing the rich interconnectedness of these disciplines.
With a strong commitment to education, Natalie brings her expertise and unique perspective into the classroom, guiding students through the technical and creative aspects of fiber arts. She encourages exploration and innovation, helping students develop a deeper understanding of design principles, materiality, and self-expression. Through her teaching, she fosters an appreciation for the artistry and craftsmanship of textiles, inspiring others to engage with fiber arts as both a creative outlet and a meaningful form of storytelling.
