Constance Grayson

Exec. Director

Constance Grayson is both an artist and a practicing attorney having practiced many years in family law dealing with issues involving children. In Kids Place Lex, she is able to combine her legal experience with her art in creating an opportunity to demonstrate how involvement in the arts can have a lifelong positive impact on youth.

Hope Soch

Director of Art Education

Hope Soch is an art educator as well as being a professional artist herself. She has over 30 years experience teaching art in elementary schools. Her passion lies in encouraging youth to explore their creativity and develop their potential through art.

Michelle Newby Armstrong

Guest Artist/Instructor

Michelle Newby Armstrong is an art educator who has taught art in the Fayette County School system for over 31 years. Michelle is one of the guest artist instructors for our Passport to Art series. She enjoys sharing her knowledge of art techniques and art history with the young artists at KidsPlaceLex.

Gloria Artehaga

Guest Artist/Instructor

Gloria Artehaga is originally from Colombia but is a U.S. citizen who has lived in Lexington, KY, for 28 years. She spent 20 years as an art, culture, and Spanish teacher at Maxwell Elementary School before retiring two years ago. Gloria is recognized as a Kentucky Crafted Program artist and actively participates in the Art on the Town program in Lexington.

Debbie Blair

Guest Artist/Instructor

After winding down a long, meaningful career in the Thoroughbred industry, Lexington resident Debbie Blair turned her considerable energy to her other passion -- art.  A self-taught artist, her work reflects her life experiences.  She has traveled internationally for work and play, drawing on those experiences for inspiration for her art.

 

Enrique Gonzalez

Guest Artist/Instructor

From the Venezuelan Amazonian Rainforest, he draws inspiration from the world around him, translating everyday beauty onto canvas with his modern impressionist style.  Known for his equine art, Enrique's portfolio also includes landscapes, portraits, and much more.  His art has been displayed in many prominent galleries around Lexington.  Enrique is also a muralist. A believer in the importance of community involvement, he volunteers his time and donates art to many local organizations and charities to fundraise. Enrique is also a local musician and the lead singer of No Rulez Banda and the Big Maracas.  He is based in Lexington, KY.

        

Mercedes Harn

Guest Artist/Instructor

Mercedes Harn is originally from Lima, Perú. She has been living in the United States for the last 15 years. She has a Master degree in Mass Communication and a Master in Education. She has displayed work at Fusion Gallery and the Passion of Latino Art 2, at the Lyric Theater and at the Latino Blend.

Marty Henton

Guest Artist/Instructor

Marty is a retired art educator and arts administrator. She has served on the board of directors of Very Special Arts Kentucky, the Bell Court Neighborhood Association and the Kentucky Art Educators Association.

Chris Huestis

Guest Artist/Instructor

Chris Huestis has exhibited his artwork nationally. He participates in Lexington's Art on The Town in Tandy Park and has participated in many local art venues. He currently teaches Art at BCTC.