Sarah Jenkins founded Hand-Drawn Hearts with a clear, ambitious vision of creating a community space that celebrates the intersection of fine art and emotional development. With over fifteen years of experience as a professional illustrator and a double degree in Fine Arts and Child Development, Sarah brings a unique, dual-focused blend of technical mastery and pedagogical expertise to the organization. She is deeply committed to the idea that every child is an artist by nature and that her role is simply to provide the tools, the space, and the encouragement for that artist to emerge with confidence. Sarah oversees everything from curriculum development to community outreach, ensuring that every single program aligns with our core mission of care and creativity. Her warm, approachable, and deeply empathetic nature makes her a favorite among students and parents alike, as she treats every family that enters our studio as an extension of her own.Before founding Hand-Drawn Hearts, Sarah traveled the world as a freelance illustrator, working with NGOs in multiple countries to bring art education to marginalized communities. These experiences taught her the universal power of a pencil and paper to heal and empower. When she returned to Seabrook, she knew she wanted to build something permanent that combined her love for her hometown with her passion for the arts. Sarah is also a published author of several children’s books that focus on creativity and self-acceptance. She continues to maintain her own artistic practice, often sharing her latest sketches with her students to show them that learning never ends. Her leadership style is one of collaboration and inspiration, constantly pushing her team to find new ways to reach and support our community.

Michael Chen is a true master of the pencil and a deeply dedicated mentor to our teen and adult students. He holds a prestigious Master’s degree in Traditional Drawing and has spent the last decade teaching at various high-level art academies before finding his true home at Hand-Drawn Hearts. Michael’s teaching style is characterized by a rare balance of rigorous, old-world technical training and a gentle, modern, and encouraging spirit. He believes that anyone, regardless of their starting point, can learn to draw beautifully if they are given the right guidance and the permission to be patient and kind with themselves. His extensive portfolios are a testament to his precision and passion, and he takes immense pride in watching his students gain the confidence to tackle complex artistic and life challenges. Michael is also responsible for our specialized workshops in portraiture and anatomical drawing, where he helps students master the complexities of the human form. Michael’s philosophy is that “drawing is a way of thinking,” and he often challenges his students to look at the world with the eyes of an explorer. He is particularly adept at helping students overcome the “plateau” that often happens in intermediate artistic development, providing the technical breakthroughs they need to reach the next level. Outside of the studio, Michael is an avid plein air artist, often found sketching the Seabrook coastline at dawn. He brings this love of nature into the classroom, encouraging students to find inspiration in the world around them. His dedication to his craft is contagious, and he has a unique ability to make even the most difficult technical concepts accessible and exciting for his students. Michael is not just a teacher; he is a lifelong student of the line.

Elena Rodriguez brings a vibrant, infectious energy and a wealth of experience in early childhood education to our younger classes. She specializes in creating sensory-rich, multi-dimensional art experiences that help toddlers and young children develop their fine motor skills, spatial awareness, and emotional vocabulary simultaneously. Elena believes that art is the first and most authentic language of a child, and she works tirelessly to ensure that our “Little Hearts” program is filled with joy, exploration, and genuine discovery. Her background in therapeutic art allows her to expertly support children who may be struggling with social or emotional challenges, using drawing as a safe and effective tool for communication and healing. Elena’s classroom is always a place of laughter, wonder, and profound growth, where every messy, experimental stroke is celebrated as a significant milestone in a child’s development. Elena is also a specialist in “process art,” where the focus is entirely on the experience of creating rather than the final result. This approach is vital for young children, as it builds their confidence and encourages them to follow their curiosity. She often incorporates storytelling and music into her sessions, creating a holistic environment that stimulates all the senses. Elena is also a strong advocate for parent-child art sessions, believing that creative play is one of the best ways to build a strong bond. Her expertise has made her a sought-after speaker at early childhood education conferences, but her heart remains in the studio with her “Little Hearts.” Elena’s ability to see the world through the eyes of a child makes her an invaluable asset to our team and a hero to our youngest students.

David Thompson is the essential bridge between our studio and the wider Seabrook community and beyond. With a background in nonprofit management, public relations, and a lifelong, deep-seated passion for community service, David ensures that our programs are both accessible and impactful. He coordinates our vital partnerships with local schools and organizations, manages our robust volunteer program, and organizes our large-scale public art events. David is a firm believer in the power of art to transform neighborhoods, revitalize public spaces, and bring people together across cultural, social, and economic divides. His organized, proactive, and visionary approach ensures that our community projects run smoothly and that our mission of “art for all” is realized every single day. David’s enthusiasm for our mission is contagious, and he is always looking for new, innovative ways to share the story of Hand-Drawn Hearts with the world. David’s work often involves securing grants and sponsorships that allow us to offer scholarships to students in need. He is a master of logistics, ensuring that our “Arts in the Park” festival is a success year after year. But more than just an administrator, David is a connector who genuinely cares about people. He spends much of his time listening to the needs of the community and finding ways for Hand-Drawn Hearts to meet those needs. Whether it’s organizing a mural for a local shelter or setting up a pop-up gallery at the library, David is always on the move. He believes that every community deserves a “heart center,” and he is dedicated to making sure Hand-Drawn Hearts is exactly that for Seabrook. His work ensures that our impact is felt far and wide, making art a central part of our town’s identity.