AJ has been a part of the PWAT Colorado Springs family since the summer of 2014. “Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life” -Confucius. A Few Fun Facts about AJ; Great at improv and multiple accents but cant remember a joke to tell for the life of her. Left handed in her right mind. Gets tattoos instead of therapy. Is the epitome of an “outgoing-introvert”. Wings most things in life, including eyeliner.
Ben Bires grew up in Western Pennsylvania. Halfway through his twenties, he felt the need to pack up and move out of his small town. In 2016, he found a new home in Colorado Springs. He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania with a focus in drawing and painting. His adventures include scuba diving in the Caribbean, exploring the American West, climbing Machu Picchu and hiking active volcanoes in Nicaragua. Changes of scenery inspire his creativity. Now you can find him at the dog park with his dog, Fin.
Tall, dark, and happy to be here! I was born and raised in Houston TX. One of 14 silbings raised in love. Aiong with 6 dogs 12 cats 24 chickens, a pony 1 box turtle and 1 duck.I am a single father of 4 grown-ups. I am a people loving, music loving' horse riding gum chewing basketball playing food cooking caricature drawing hat wearing mural painting degree having, giant of a man. I am sporting a BFA (big fricking african) from Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX.
Jeresneyka (Jeh-Reh-Snay-Kah) Rose, known as Rizzo, is a self-taught visual artist and community advocate who originates from Brooklyn, New York. Being a first-generation American raised in Southeast Colorado Springs, Colorado, she thrives off of her creativity incorporated within the community. Rizzo’s main objectives are to promote multiculturalism, diversity, equality, and respect. This will allow her to support, positively influence and affect change for the community while continuing to grow as an artist.
Jess Preble is a native born Colorado artist with over 12 years of experience painting. She works with all mediums, ranging from acrylic to pencil, charcoal, pastel, and oil paint, and she professionally exhibits and sells oil paintings both locally and nationally. She enjoys fancy Japanese goldfish, old country and pop music, coffee, tiny house plants and all things Hello Kitty. She can be found working on her project car "The Princess Sprinter", loitering in the kitty adoption room at petsmart, or chatting in galleries at first friday. She is so happy to be here and to paint with you!
Kiersten was born in Denver, and is a Colorado native through and through. Although, due to her family’s military background she’s had the opportunity to call many places across America, “home.” However, for the past fifteen years, the Springs has had her heart. She’s completed the majority of her education here, and most recently has graduated from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in both psychology and criminal justice (and a minor in visual art too!). Currently, Kiersten is back at UCCS, pursuing her dream of becoming an elementary school art teacher. In regard to her creative background, she’s been making art since she was a child, and has had the honor of participating in many fantastic art programs, placing in competative shows here and there, and most recently has displayed her work in local eateries and galleries here in town. When she’s not learning, teaching, creating, or working, you can catch her kicking’ it wither her loved ones (especially her cat), roller skating, soaking up the sun outside, or cooking up her favorite breakfast item… omelets!
Krystal is a winter lovin native Coloradoan who you could run into on the slopes! With a background in LARP and RPG games, she is a well rounded nerd her lets her imagination fuel her creativity. Also a self taught artist whom loves to dabble in new mediums , but has found a happy place with acrylic paint. "Id far rather be happy than right any day" Dougles Adams