MEET THE TEAM

Our Team

  • Ali

    Ali

    Ali Spittler is a mom of 2, a licensed elementary teacher, and loves neon yellow and milk duds way too much. She is the cofounder of Pencil Box Art Studio, and is passionate about creating a space for kids to get messy and build their sense of self. Teaching kids is her happy place!

  • Brynn

    Brynn

    Brynn Grover is a mom, long-time teacher, and cofounder of Pencil Box Art Studio. She loves ice cream, school supplies, making art, planning parties, collecting children’s books, and baking pie. When not at the studio, you can find Brynn chasing around her 3 cool kids, designing something on her computer, or exploring a new place with her family.

  • Krisanne

    Krisanne

    Krisanne Knudsen is an art historian and museum educator who lives in American Fork with her husband and three bright, inquisitive children. She loves going to art museums, collecting children's picture books, and talking with families about the world's most remarkable artists. She shares her passion for art history and art education on Instagram at The Making Table.

  • Alyson

    Alyson

    Alyson Bowthorpe is a veteran preschool teacher of 22 years, a children’s librarian, and grandmother to 9 awesome kids. She loves books, art, and creating meaningful play-to-learn experiences for children. When she’s not teaching or running the library at her school, you can find Alyson working in her garden, painting, and enjoying time with her family. She is so excited to join the Pencil Box Team and continue working with her favorite people: preschoolers!

  • Marshawn

    Marshawn

    Marshawn Merkley is a mom, a music therapist, a trail runner, and a collector of world instruments—smitten by wanderlust. Her approach to teaching music is deeply rooted in celebrating and embracing the diversity found in each child, creating a safe, holistic, play-based environment for children to be curious, creative, and courageous, making their musical journey just as unique as their personalities.

    Marshawn and her three kids love to travel, hike, kayak, bake, and value experiencing the world around them with a curious sense of exploration. She is thrilled to join the Pencil Box Art Studio team and share her love of music.

  • Ali

    Ali

    Ali Dangel is a student at the University of Utah obtaining her BFA in art teaching. Her favorite art medium is ceramics and loves showing kids that everyone is an artist! In her free time, you can find her snuggling her cat, Olive, and spending time with family.

ABOUT PENCIL BOX

We love children and believe they are magic! We are excited to work alongside your child through process art as they explore empathy for themselves and others. We truly believe that the purpose is in the process, not the finished product.

Our classes will provide an environment where there’s no wrong way, and children can build self-esteem and joy. As experienced teachers, we know your child will feel loved, seen, and discover a profound delight for process art.

We can’t wait to see you!