Welcome to Create & Learn 🎨

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We’re so glad you’re here! We’re a mother-daughter team sharing our favorite art projects, classroom stories, and creative ideas from our studio to yours.

Emmie Cooper(Left) & Tonya Cooper(Right)

👩‍🎨 I’m Tonya —mom to Emmie. I’ve worked as a graphic designer and photographer for many years (and still do!), but about 17 years ago I found my way into teaching—and completely fell in love with it. I’ve taught at a few private schools, and I’m currently at an accredited Classical Academy.

After a few years in Classical education, I can confidently say it’s where I belong. I love the way we focus on art history and the great masters—weaving together history, beauty, and purpose. You won’t find much pop art or trendy culture in our curriculum. I save that for Art Club, where we still get to dive into those fun, offbeat projects students love. Classical education has stretched me as an artist and pushed my projects further than ever before.

🧒 I’m Emmie — daughter to Tonya and proud co-teacher in our creative little corner of the world. I’m a graphic designer by trade and an art teacher by heart, leading art classes alongside my mom (who also happened to be my elementary art teacher!). She’s the one who first sparked my love for art, and now I get to pass that same spark on to the next generation by leading our preschool art classes, and it’s truly one of my greatest joys.

There’s something magical about watching young children light up as they discover the power of their own creativity. I love taking simple art projects and using them as a springboard to teach real artistic techniques and skills, laying the foundation for confident, capable young artists. Preschoolers are incredibly imaginative, and far more capable than we often assume!

When we’re not teaching, we’re usually busy on the homestead or in the studio, dreaming up our next set of resources and creative adventures.

Thanks for stopping by—and thank you for supporting Hope Creek Studios. We hope you leave here inspired, encouraged to learn, and ready to create something beautiful. 💛

— Tonya and Emmie

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