Gainesville Creative Kids provides a necessary outlet where children can express themselves through the arts. Our role is to respect and nurture each child as an intelligent, unique, whole person. Our belief is that each child should be at the center of their experience, allowing them to explore, imagine, and create, while building self-esteem.
To allow children the freedom to be themselves, feel inspired and empowered, and to be a force of change in their community and world through art.
Heddy Vernon
Graduated from UF's college of Journalism with a minor in Theater. She
worked with the Boston public school system helping to integrate
technology into the classroom. She has been involved in community
theater here in Gainesville since 1991. She currently travels to high
schools across Florida, giving presentations with Monster.com's Making
It Count program. Heddy is excited to be one of the founders of
Gainesville Creative Kids and looks forward to seeing it grow into a
unique and beautiful community arts program.
Beth Hunter
Graduated from UF's college of Exercise and Sport Sciences with a
specialty in fitness and wellness. She has been interested in movement
and music her whole life. She loves to play the guitar and sing
especially with her children. She is inspired to be leading classes for
Gainesville Creative Kids and looks forward to meeting everyone.
Angela Habeck
Has her degree in Elementary Education and is a trained child care
provider. Angela's love of art has been passed down through her family
from her grandparents, avid painters, and her father, a photographer.
She has taken many courses in the arts and has traveled to Washington
D.C., New York, London, and Paris to visit some of the world's finest
art museums. Angela is proud to be able bring her passion for education
and the arts together
Marcy Hairston
Moved to Gainesville to attend college and then accidentally never left (she loves it here!). In 2004, she graduated from UF with a major in English and a minor in Art History. A former special education teacher, Marcy is now a stay-at-home mom (job description: part-time clown, comedienne and magician) with her own business--Three Monsters Photography. She's married to a man named Charlie, who has red hair and a wicked sense of humor. She has three sons—Jack, Finnegan and Skylar-- and is not trying for a girl. She loves art, literature, horses, squishy new babies, feather pillows, tiny tea sandwiches and laughing until she cries. She has very much enjoyed her teaching stints at Gainesville Creative Kids and is looking forward to another rockin' session!
Jessica Charapata
Has been involved in theater and the arts for almost 15 years. She has
acted both regionally and off off broadway in New York. She was also a
professional actor in Chicago where she primarily did commercials and
film work. She has studied voice, dance, theater and writing and holds
a Fine Arts/Fiction Writing degree from Columbia College. She also has
a background and interest in holistic healing and energy healing. She
has a 2nd level Reikii degree and also a certification in Energy
Healing and meditation.in the GCK program.
Joy Steiner
Graduated from Penn State Unversity with a BS in
Horticulture. She is an artist of many forms other than plant
cultivation, and has been involved with dance, tap, and theater for
most of her life and is currently finding her singing voice. She hopes
to be a synchronized swimmer one day. Joy values children and is
excited to share in the creative and artistic expressions with the
children that she gets the opportunity to spend time with.
Emilyann Offutt
Is currently pursuing her bachelor's degree in Theatre with a minor in
Music Theory from the University of Florida. A songwriter since she was
eight, Emilyann was very excited to more thoroughly explore her art
through acting and musical theatre classes during her high school
years. She is thrilled to share her enthusiasm for the arts with the
community and is honored to contribute to the GCK program.
Leslie Tharp
Is a recent graduate of UF, Leslie has received a bachelor's degree in
Fine Arts with an emphasis in Sculpture. Exiting an educational program
and entering a new one, she hopes to share her passion for the arts by
inspiring our next generation of creative kids.