The Catalyst Academy and Junior Catalyst Academy
with Kristen Lanfrank, Amy Lepping, and Kate Okeson

The Catalyst Academy provides individual and contemporary art instruction to help motivated, creative, and innovative students advance their personal art practice through intensive studio art training.  The Catalyst Academy is designed to enhance the student’s fine art portfolio, and develop a supplemental portfolio for the competitive college application process. Admission is by portfolio review. The Junior Academy enrolls students ages 7 through 12, while the Academy is for students age 13 and up.

Kristen Lanfrank began her art education at SUNY New Paltz and ultimately receiving her degree from Montclair State University. She wanted to share her love for art, so she chose to be an art teacher. She has been an art teacher at Rumson Fair Haven Regional High School since 1998. Her unconventional mixed-media approach to her prints creates editions that represent strong feminine imagery enhanced with abstract design and color combinations. She also illustrates children’s books, and does commissioned paintings and murals.

Amy Lepping began her painting career at Westtown School in Pennsylvania, and the lessons she learned there never left her. She received her BFA from Mason Gross School of the Arts and then moved to California to attend CalArts. While in California, she started working with local schools and enjoyed helping students find their voice with art. She returned to Rutgers for her Masters Degree. She also received National Board Certification in art education. She has been an art teacher in NJ since 1999. Amy’s paintings have been part of numerous shows throughout NJ, and can be found in private collections throughout the country.

Kate Okeson is a book artist and high school art educator in Central NJ. Her work is primarily concentrated within book arts, words and text, the book as construct and print – be it hand or machine printed. She frequently uses objects that live in everyday context through use or experience as the glyphs that communicate the exploration of the boundaries and intersections of memory, geographic location, and personal history.

For information about the Catalyst Academy and/or the Junior Academy, call Kristen Lanfrank, 732-578-0074 or email klanfrank@hotmail.com