Employee Bios

Linnea Fitterer

Fitterer is a dedicated art worker providing expertise in public art planning, creative place-keeping, and nonprofit program management with a devotion to ethical community practice, art education, industry safety, and cross-sector collaboration. She received her bachelor’s degree in Art History from Minnesota State University Moorhead in 2014 and a master’s degree in Social Practice Art from the University of Indianapolis in 2018. In addition to leading the Office of Engagement at AAC, Fitterer is also an Adjunct Professor in AAC’s BFA and MAAE programs.

Avery Plummer

Avery is a writer, artist, publisher, and community advocate. She is the creator of nymph(o), an award-winning LGBTQ+ magazine that educates about and represents the queer community through a sex-positive lens. A leading principle in Avery’s artistic practice is the act of archiving, and she strives to preserve cultural moments by collaborating with a diverse range of other artists. Avery has a passion for personal and professional development and specializes in grant writing and program management.

Brevyn Fleming

Brevyn is a 2018 alum of the AAC.  Having studied illustration and creative writing, she is working on several stories including a webcomic.  She’s extremely passionate and will happily talk about whatever book, game or show she’s currently obsessing over.

Dani Tellez

Dani has been a Cincinnati native since 2000. She is an AAC Alum with a focus in Art History and Painting. When not in the office, she enjoys time with her husband going to concerts, cafes, museums and hanging out with their cats.

Megan Martin

Megan has taught academic and creative writing since 2005. She is the author of two collections of experimental prose, NEVERS and Sparrow & Other Eulogies, and serves as prose editor for the literary journal and small press Coast/No Coast. She holds a BA in English from the University of Iowa and an MFA in Writing from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Natalie Koking

Natalie is a writer, content marketer and arts advocate. She moved to Cincinnati in 2016 after receiving her M.F.A. in Film from Ohio University, where she also obtained a B.A. in English/Creative Writing in 2011. A storyteller at heart, Natalie is passionate about writing fiction and nonfiction, bringing stories to life on screen, helping brands harness the power of their narrative, and reporting on the artistic and cultural work of Cincinnati’s creative class. Her work can be read in Cincinnati Magazine, CityBeat, Venue Magazine and Dramatics. She previously worked in marketing at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park and owned a freelance content marketing business. She lives in Norwood with her husband, Brandon; their baby, Lennox, a mischievous cat, Gatsby; and plenty of plants, who are all named as well.

Katie Brenner Wolf

Katie is a Midwest based conceptual artist and photographer, and an AAC Alum. She received her MFA at the University of Cincinnati DAAP, and a Graduate Certificate in Women’s Studies. Katie utilizes still photography, installations, video and sculpture to create dynamic environments, interaction and introspection for viewers. She is an experienced college and community level educator, and arts program manager. Katie’s work has been showcased regionally, including the Contemporary Arts Center in Cincinnati, OH.

Frances Hutchinson

Frances has worked in Higher Education for 21 years. She has a Masters Degree in Organizational Leadership. On top of being the new Director of Financial Aid at the AAC, she is a professor and teaches Advertising and Marketing. She enjoys reading books, hiking, and traveling with her family. Her favorite vacation destination is anywhere with a beach. She loves helping people and her goal is to provide the best Financial Aid services to the student body at the Art Academy of Cincinnati.

Elaine Watson Dean

Elaine comes to us as an experienced accounting specialist and will be handling student financial accounts and payments along with other accounting duties in the business office. In her leisure time she enjoys time with family and friends, volunteers at church, walks in the park, dancing, attending various concerts, performing arts play, musicals and traveling.

Dylan Robinson

An experienced designer and illustrator operating out of downtown Cincinnati, Dylan Robinson has dedicated a troubling amount of his brain towards remembering inane comic book trivia, and is capable of putting both feet behind his head, much to the horror of onlookers.

Rose Emory

Business Analyst Specialist. I am a highly motivated, positive individual with great organizational leadership and communication skills achieving success in Fortune 500 corporate roles, business ownership and community leadership by combining broad business acumen and talent for bringing diverse people together around shared interests. Customer service master and efficient problem solver, and experience with project management work.

Denise Brennan Watson

A native of South Texas, Denise Brennan Watson was a member of the Coastal Bend English Riding Association and King English Riding Association. Denise holds a Master of Arts in Philosophy, and she completed a double major in Philosophy and Journalism with a minor in English. She loves words and culinary arts.

Linda Kollmann

Linda spent 25 years in northern Ohio before moving down to Cincinnati and raising her two kids here.  She has worked in HR for 10 years and loves getting to interact with employees on a daily basis.  Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her blended family, especially her grandchildren.

Alex Tellez

A native of Texas, Alexandria grew up in a military family and lived on the East Coast until moving to Cincinnati in 2000. Alexandria began studies in Business at Cincinnati State after graduating from Oak Hills High School. She began her work at AAC in summer of 2014 in Community Education’s award-winning Camp Art Academy program.

Markus Cook

Markus Charles Cook is an award-winning filmmaker born and raised in Cincinnati, receiving his degree in Media Communications from Asbury University 2017.  He owns and leads creative direction for the video production house MonCharle.  When he's not on the clock, you can still typically find him behind the camera, working on his own narrative film projects. Or gaming his brain cells away with his friends.

Rick Wolhoy

Born and raised in Eastern Kentucky, Rick earned his BFA from nearby Marshall University. Making his way to Cincinnati by the Ohio River, Wolhoy received an MFA at the University of Cincinnati School of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning. Prior to leading the facilities department at the AAC, Rick held the position of Assistant Director of Academic at the University of Cincinnati focusing on the instruction of sculpture, as well as managing the MFA graduate studio facility. While owning and operating Rick Wolhoy, LLC he specializes in a wide variety of design and fabrication throughout the greater Cincinnati region.

Tab Bloom

Tab is a graduate of Purdue University with a bachelor of science degree in Accounting. He has worked at Midwest Financial and Pricewaterhouse-Coopers. He lives in the Mariemont area with his wife, Tina and daughter, Josie.

Dutana D

Dutana D is a Minneapolis raised and Cincinnati based artist. She graduated from the Art Academy of Cincinnati in 2022 with a BFA in design and a minor in creative writing. Dutana’s work utilizes synthetic hair which is culturally and socially connected to black bodies in hopes to shift the gaze of contemporary spaces while simultaneously combating black erasure. When she’s not in the office she’s most likely attending to her plant babies.

Ian Hayes

Ian is a video and sculpture artist based in Cincinnati, Ohio who earned his BFA from the AAC in 2023. He primarily creates art from older analogue technology such as tube televisions, VCRs, and cassette tapes and is always experimenting with this older technology to discover unique ways to utilize it in unconventional ways.

Kyle Woosley

Kyle graduated with a master’s degree and bachelor’s degree in Journalism from DePaul University and Eastern Kentucky University respectively. Prior to his time at AAC, Kyle worked a variety of positions, including marketing for a legal services provider, teaching English in Madrid, and writing for a handful of local newspapers. He’s a huge movie buff, enjoying everything from the latest comic book blockbuster to Spanish cinema. On top of this, he’s a writer, reader, painter, and yogi.

Erika NJ Allen

Erika is a Guatemalan-born artist and first generation college graduate. The attained a BFA in photography from the AAC in 2020 and an MFA in ceramics from Cranbrook Academy of Art in 2023, following a non-traditional path.

Maddy McFadden

Maddy is an artist, published writer, teacher, advocate, and loving aunt. She designs art to represent and uplift marginalized voices, challenge societal failings, and to encourage comfort and community. Maddy has years of experience supporting the LGBTQ+ community, as well as victims and survivors of sexual assault. She was recently a Care Coordinator at United Way and is the Creative Director of a local LGBTQ+ art magazine. Her favorite creative practices are sculpture, installation, painting, and poetry.

Sylvia Pinto

Sylvia is a California-born and first generation college graduate. Proudly representing the rich tapestry of her heritage with Salvadoran and indigenous roots. She has a BA in psychology and Art History from the University of San Francisco and a Masters in Clinical Social Work from Boston University. A compassionate social worker, breaking boundaries to empower change. When not flying high as an aerialist or scaling cliffs as a rock climber, you can find her on the yoga mat.

Stuart Hemmert

Stuart is a Cincinnati transplant. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 2010 and has worked in a myriad of positions that include Apple products, higher education, or IT in some amalgamation for the past 15 years. Fun facts: he has a creative writing certificate in poetry and is conversational in German. Hobbies include hiking, camping and most thing geek. He looks forward to seeing all the brilliant creations students produce during his tenure.