Art Space is part of Inner Circle Creative Arts Therapy, offering therapeutic art experiences to the community. Our practitioners lead group sessions and also provide individual and small group support. Come explore the healing power of art with us!
Becky Johnson MPS, ATR
Founder CEO of ART SPACE and Inner Circle Creative Arts Therapy
As an Art Therapist and professional Artist, I dedicate my work to uncovering what is hidden within our unconscious selves through the power of the art making process. In my Art Therapy practice in all of its capacities, I strive to help individuals of all ages harness the transformative power of art for healing, growth, and enjoyment. I firmly believe in the creative process's ability to guide us through the liminal spaces that exist between the known and unknown, skill and instinct, fluidity, and control. In this journey of creation, we cannot hide from ourselves; the choices we make while engaging with art reflect how we navigate our lives. I trust my clients to be the authorities on their own interpretations and meanings in their art, as I take on the role of a supportive guide, collaborator, teacher, fellow artist, or whatever role the session may call for. I love this work, and believe in it wholeheartedly.
With over 18 years of experience, I began my journey as a teaching artist in schools, eventually working my way in various community and clinical settings as a professional Artist and Art Therapist. My educational path includes an undergraduate degree in Art Studio from UCDavis, followed by a Master's degree in Art Therapy and Creativity Development from Pratt Institute in New York, which I completed in 2011.
Since returning to the Sierra Nevada foothills in 2014 with my husband, I have embraced the roles of mother to three, while balancing my commitment to making Art Therapy and intentional therapeutic art making accessible. My passion for this work has only deepened with my experience, fueling my passion to connect with and uplift those I serve through the healing power of creativity.
Janelle Marcione
Teaching Artist/ Art Studio Specialist
Janelle is a dedicated educator and accomplished artist with over a decade of experience inspiring and nurturing young minds. With a rich background that includes roles as a nanny, art teacher, preschool educator, and student worker in the Sierra College Art Department, Janelle brings a well-rounded and compassionate approach to teaching and mentoring.
Currently, she serves as a teaching artist with Art Space and is the Program Director of Pleasant Ridge School District, and preschool teacher. She is also a trusted childcare provider, offering occasional babysitting and support to multiple families in our community.
A passionate visual artist, Janelle specializes in painting and sculpture, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Studio Arts from California State University, Sacramento (2021). She has a special knack for finding unusual and upcycled materials for art-making, and is always on the hunt for fun, unexpected supplies at thrift stores, estate sales, and anywhere creativity can be sparked. Her inventive approach encourages students to see artistic potential in everyday objects and to think about art in new, exciting ways.
Janelle is equally passionate about supporting young people in discovering who they are in the world. She is deeply committed to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and anti-oppressive environment in all of her work, and is a proud ally to people of all intersectional identities and life choices.
Residing in Alta Sierra, CA, with her husband, Janelle continues to empower the next generation of artists and creative thinkers through hands-on learning, thoughtful mentorship, and a wholehearted love for the transformative power of art.
Sarah Lafayette
Teaching Artist
Sarah is a local parent and freelance illustrator whose creative work spans everything from band posters and nursery décor to children’s books and murals. Working across a wide range of mediums, Sarah brings imagination, versatility, and heart to every project.
She has taught cartooning as part of the middle school curriculum at Nevada City School of the Arts and has also shared her love of cartooning and drawing with many younger students during aftercare hours. Her presence is beloved by the children—who often line up with excited requests for her to draw everything from unicorns to action heroes. Like a walking coloring book machine, Sarah brings characters to life on the spot, sparking joy and creativity wherever she goes.
In addition to her art instruction, Sarah has assisted in Transitional Kindergarten classrooms and is known for bringing smiles with her whimsical face painting during Friday aftercare.
Sarah has also worked as a paraprofessional, supporting individual students’ learning and well-being by teaching and encouraging healthy coping strategies, social skills, communication, and emotional regulation. She finds deep fulfillment in helping kids overcome challenges and is continually inspired by their resilience, strength, and creativity.
Raised in a family of artists, Sarah has always viewed art as a vital tool for processing emotions, self-regulation, and personal expression as well as a powerful way to communicate and connect with others. Her passion for both art and child development shines through in every aspect of her work.
