Charlie Hickman was raised in the mountains outside Boulder, and is currently the elementary art teacher at St. Vrain Community Montessori School. He is a graduate of Fort Lewis College in Durango where he studied art and education, earning a state teaching license and a BA in Art. His art experiences include volunteering with an art rehabilitation studio in Russia; Joining their summer camp for five years to teach watercolor painting, mural making and clowning with children living in the orphanage system.

Charlie believes that children are capable of creating strong expressive art that empowers their voice and facilitates emotional growth. His lessons lean into real techniques and methods used by artists, while celebrating experimentation and unexpected results. Embracing a contemplative approach to creation, he leads children to listen to the quiet voice of inspiration, allowing it to guide the hands, to express the mind and spirit.