Hannah Hope Harthoorn is based in Des Moines and originally from Dallas Center, Iowa. She holds a BFA in Drawing and Painting from Drake University. Her artistic focus lies in illustration and portraiture, blending technical expertise with emotive storytelling. She has taught at the Des Moines Art Center and various local studios, driven by a deep-rooted passion for art education. Beyond her studio practice, Hannah is pursuing her dream of becoming a certified art educator, driven by a desire to inspire creativity in students of all ages. Her dedication to both her artistic craft and nurturing young talent reflects her commitment to enhancing the cultural fabric of her community.
Brian Frederiksen received his BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago with a focus on printmaking and ceramics. Brian began his career working for Charles Jahn Pottery in Chicago. While working for Charles he was his assistant in producing dishware utilizing multiple processes in creating unique pieces that were purchased by local restaurants and multiple wholesale outlets. Brian then moved on and spent more 19 years working for Dahlquist Clayworks and RDG Planning and Design, where he managed the creation, manufacturing, and installation of public art and historical restoration pieces. These pieces can be found across the United States and Canada. During this period he also taught ceramics and managed a studio with over 20 artists. He taught hand-building, throwing, glaze mixing, and a variety of other clay techniques. Brian has taught classes at the Des Moines Art Center including Families and Clay, Beginning and Advanced Throwing, Teen Arts Academy, Intro to Drawing, and Advanced Open Studio. From 2020 to 2022, Brian owned Petware Pottery, a wholesale pet bowl business. In 2023 he started Frederiksen Press where he creates relief prints and sells his pieces at art shows throughout the Midwest. Brian’s experiences throughout his professional endeavors have helped him to hone his creative eye and assist artists with valuable feedback throughout their process.
Gary Hoff always had a penchant for drawing from a young age, finding joy in both the process and the praise that followed. More than just a pastime, drawing served as a tool for learning about how things functioned. Guided by the precision and structure of graphic arts, including drafting and commercial drawing, he achieved a college-level diploma in product illustration while still in his mid-teens. However, it was a pivotal gift of oil paints during adolescence that set Gary on the path to becoming a professional painter, igniting a lifelong passion for creating art. As the internet gained popularity in the late 20th century, his interest in writing dovetailed with his artistic pursuits, prompting him to launch a blog dedicated to art and ideas. Here, he not only shared his thoughts but also showcased his evolving body of work (https://www.papillary.blogspot.com). Gary Hoff's artistic style is best characterized as contemporary realism, grounded in traditional materials and principles which form the foundation of his creations.
