South Kent School is pleased to welcome Joanne Wasti to our Visual Arts department. A creative and dynamic educator and practicing artist, Joanne brings more than 20 years of experience in art and museum education to the Hillside. This winter and spring, she is offering Visual Arts courses to SKS students, further enriching and expanding the School’s Arts program. A Kent local, Joanne is also the Founder and President of Kent Curiosity Lab, a nonprofit dedicated to equity and access that provides arts and STEM enrichment for local public school students, expanding educational opportunities throughout the community.
Joanne’s teaching centers on inquiry-based learning, innovative curriculum design, and hands-on, experiential approaches that encourage curiosity, experimentation, and creative confidence. She brings extensive experience in teacher supervision, professional development, and building strong community partnerships. In the studio, her focus is on helping students develop their own artistic voice while embracing the value of process.
“Although I can teach technique, it’s just as important for students to find their own voice in visual arts and make many mistakes along the way. Art and design are all about process, and I hope students learn not just good studio habits and craft, but how to work through problems and design a truly unique piece of artwork.”
Outside the classroom, Joanne enjoys spending time outdoors, especially downhill skiing, and loves making things with her hands. She is also a certified master naturalist and works with birds in both rehabilitation and educational programs at the Sharon Audubon Center.
South Kent School is excited to have Joanne’s creativity, local perspective, and passion for process-driven learning as she supports our students and strengthens the Visual Arts program.
