Instructors

Each of us brings a unique perspective, and we’re united as practicing artists by a shared commitment to thoughtful making, creative exploration, and fostering meaningful connections through art.

Kosuke Kawahara

Kosuke is a New York–based artist originally from Japan, where he first studied graphic design before transitioning into painting and drawing through a self-driven practice. He received his MFA in Painting and Drawing from Pratt Institute and has been part of The Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts studio program since 2021.

Kosuke sees art as an intuitive, non-verbal language—one that allows us to express what words often cannot. His teaching style is warm, supportive, and rooted in exploration, encouraging students to learn by doing, stay curious, and trust their creative instincts. He believes everyone has the potential to be an artist and looks forward to helping each student discover their unique voice.

Artist / Painter

Joan Hacker

Joan is an interdisciplinary artist and instructor at Artuta, originally from Seattle. She began her creative journey in the 90s through experimental music, performing in bands as both a singer and instrumentalist. She later moved to New York City, where she studied drawing, painting, and photography at Sarah Lawrence College and earned her MFA from Columbia University, focusing on sound installation, video, and writing.

As an instructor, Joan brings an open, exploratory approach to art-making, encouraging students to experiment across mediums and develop their own unique voice—and she’s always in search of great Indian food.

Artist / Photographer / Musician
Artist / Game Designer

Jerry Chan

Hi there! I am Jerry Chan, a Hong Kong drawing and animation artist based in New Jersey. I focus on comics drawing and hand-drawn animation. I completed my MFA at Pratt Institute in New York and my BFA at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. I am interested in telling stories in an alternative and subtle way which can give room for audiences’ imagination. I have also curated a few group exhibitions in Hong Kong concerning experimental comics.

I recently started my career in game development with my friends while I am responsible for visual design. This experience has reinforced my knowledge of storytelling, animation making and drawing skills. I am still hungry for some innovative narrative building discovery! Let’s find it together, shall we?


Nazil Efe

Artist / Sculptor / Interdisciplinary Artist

I’m an interdisciplinary artist with a background in architecture and an MFA from Pratt. Being half Turkish and half Cypriot, I center inclusivity in my teaching by introducing students to global art traditions beyond the Western canon. With my background in architecture, I also bring an interdisciplinary approach connecting art with space, scale, and form. I hope students leave my classes feeling curious, confident in their creativity, and inspired by the many ways art can be made and understood across different cultures.

When I’m not teaching, you’ll find me in my New York studio, where I explore water, memory, and the unconscious. I’m an artist member at the Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts and an AIM Fellow at the Bronx Museum. Beyond the studio, I find joy in watching the gentle drift of forms, such as the quiet movement of jellyfish and lava lamps.


Artist / Collage and Soft Sculpture Artist

Jessica Lee

Hi! I’m Jessica, a collage and soft sculpture artist originally from Los Angeles. I work behind the scenes at Artuta, editing and creating blog content. I hold a B.A. in Studio Art from UC Riverside and an MFA from Parsons. I began in photography but shifted to soft sculpture and collage, drawn to working with my hands. After moving to New York, I returned to collage on a smaller scale. My work includes hand-cut paper collages and sewn soft sculptures, inspired by memories, photographs, and vintage toys—exploring themes of preciousness, longing, loss, and softness.

I believe art is an extension of ourselves—a way to express what words can’t. I’m grateful for my creative practice and love supporting the arts, and I hope Artuta students find as much joy in making as I do.