Chris Babcock, Founder, Head Art Instructor
Chris Babcock a published children’s book author, illustrator, professional portrait painter, art instructor, and parent to her adult child, Mookie.
While attending The School of Visual Arts in New York City in 1991, Chris achieved a significant milestone by selling her children’s book titled No Moon, No Milk! to Random House and Scholastic. Since its international release in 1993, No Moon, No Milk! has sold over a million copies and was honored as one of the top ten children’s books by the New York Times.
Using royalties from No Moon, No Milk! starting in 1996, Chris launched her painting and drawing instruction as well as commissioned portrait businesses. Over the years, she refined her teaching methods at several schools, including Pioneer Montessori in Sun Valley, Idaho; Rio Grande School in Santa Fe, New Mexico; Convent and Stuart Hall Sacred Heart Schools in San Francisco, CA; The French American International School in San Francisco, CA; St. Joseph’s Sacred Heart School in Atherton, CA; Marin Montessori in Corte Madera, CA; and Ross School in Ross, CA.
Through referrals from her students’ parents, Chris expanded her reach across the United States with custom portraits of children and families. In 2009, inspired by her child Mookie, Chris established her storefront art school, Chris Babcock Art. When Mookie turned 22, Chris Babcock Art evolved to be the non-profit organization it is today; Chris Babcock Art Prep.
Kristen Gundlach, Board of Directors, Secretary
Kristen Webster-Gundlach is a dancer, painter and generally multi-faceted human working at the intersection of Art, medicine and spirituality. She’s currently working as an RN in the public health sector serving the houseless, pregnant population.
Previously an MFA student at SFAI before its tragic closing, she has completed collaborative mural projects for MOMA and the Manifest Differently project in Clarion Alley, as well as serving as an Artist mentor for both Industrial Design Outreach and Artivate in SFUSD High Schools. from Los Angeles, she holds dual degrees in Psychological studies and the Science of Nursing. She is completing her MFA through the California Institute of Integral Studies.
Dav1 Task, Textile instructor
Dav1 (pronounced Dah-vee) is a textiles artist, performer, farmer, and fashion stylist. Dav1’s foundation for skill sharing comes from their extensive experience in farming across the US with small-scale organic productions growing nutrient-dense food and teaching children in the communities about plants and soil health. At the root of their teaching practice and expertise is a reverence for the land, materials, global citizenship, and generations prior.
Currently, as a Textiles major and writing minor at California College of the Arts, they focus on the ecology of clothing, analog and digital weaving, natural dyeing, mechanical knitting, plus the historical allegory of cloth and clothes. They are ecstatic to share their passion for weaving with the students at Chris Babcock Art Prep.
Dav1 has been mentored in Textiles under Josh Faught, Deidreck Brackens, Kat Karnacky, Erin Algeo, and Lynda Grose- all major influencers in the contemporary field of craft and theory.
Dav1 has worked as an artist assistant with Vallerie Mallorie on live body castings for Burning Man. They are part of a 'dragonfly-positive resistance performance art' project with Hannah Kahn, circus educator, and Christina Lewis from the Clown School of San Francisco. Dav1’s relationship with performance fosters a sense of wonder, joy, and creative expression with all whom they interact with.
Dav1 is trained in Restorative Justice, Non-Violent Communication, and has over 4 years of experience as a YMCA camp counselor, plus they have embarked on numerous leadership training with Outward Bound.
Dav1’s passion for connecting with young artists is bridging generational gaps through the wonderful world of weaving, which ultimately is an act of slowing down, connecting with the threads of our minds and bodies to create functional, sustainable, fine art together, making our world a better place.
