The Art Lab Mission
Saugerties Art Lab is a not-for-profit organization working to provide free and low-cost art education and programs to
the youth of Saugerties and the surrounding areas. Art Lab offers programs with an emphasis on hands-on learning
techniques and creative expression. At Art Lab, we believe embracing the Arts builds stronger communities. Our
stated goals are as follows:
To provide artistic and academic opportunities for children and adults of all income levels and cultural backgrounds;
To encourage community growth by providing equal access to high-quality art, music and interdisciplinary learning experiences;
To offer independent teachers, artisans, parents and homeschoolers support, resources and classroom space;
To provide an art education resource for special needs students and at risk youth in a supportive learning environment;
Board of Directors
Katie Emerson-Hoss, President
Katie has worked for over 15 years as a teacher, trainer, consultant, and therapist with young children, their families
and the professionals that support them. She holds a Master’s degree from UNC-Chapel Hill in early intervention and
family support and is a NYS certified special education teacher. Additionally, she holds certification in infant/parent
and early childhood mental health from the Institute for Infants, Children, and Families of the Jewish Board of Family
and Children Services in NYC. Currently, she is teaching at SUNY New Paltz and pursuing her doctorate in Educational
Psychology at the University at Albany.
Jill Freiberg, Vice President
Jill attended Antioch College School of Visual Arts in Yellow Springs, Ohio and studied fine arts photography. For the
past 20 years she has worked as a chef, caterer and event planner. Additionally, for the past 10 years she has been
involved in animal rescue and dog training. In the 90s she was involved with Northside Center for Child Development
in Harlem. Jill currently lives in Woodstock, NY and is opening Picnics and Parties, her own catering business.
Johanna Hagelthorn, Secretary
Johanna is a childbirth professional currently raising her three children. She has a BA in Linguistics from Macalester College
in St. Paul, MN and a BS, RN from Rutgers University in Newark, NJ. She is also a certified Bradley childbirth instructor and
a DONA-certified labor support doula as well as a post-partum doula. In Saugerties, she is a member of the recently formed
group, Hudson Valley Birth Professionals, a group that strives to help pregnant women have an informed and empowering
birth. She is also an RN at Kingston Hospital in Labor and Delivery. Most recently, Johanna joined the PTA at L.M. Cahill
elementary where 2 of her children go to school and is co-chairing the Reflections committee.
Diane Congello-Brandes, Treasurer
Diane is a bookkeeper with payroll being her specialty. She received her Associates Degree in Business Administration with
honors from Ulster County Community College. Diane served on the executive board of the Mt. Marion PTA for four years;
the first two as treasurer and the last two as co-president. She chaired several committees such as Fall Fundraiser, Spring
Fundraiser, PTA Socials, School Tshirts; organized Donations for Dignity at the school, and volunteered for several other
committees as well.
Beth Humphrey
Beth is a Saugerties based artist who has been working with children for the past 20 years. Beth holds a BFA in printmaking
from Minneapolis College of Art and Design and Certificate of Craft in Surface Design from Oregon College of Arts and Craft.
She was an art and science instructor at the Science Museum of Minnesota, and a member of Up Front Art Artist
Cooperative in Kingston, NY. Beth is a nationally shown artists, now working as a freelance illustrator and is also the
chairperson of the Arts and Education Committee of the Mt. Marion Elementary School, which hires artists, writers and
performers to come to them for assemblies and residencies.
Katie Cokinos
Katie Cokinos is a filmmaker and mother of Lula and Niko. Since her graduation from Texas A&M
University in History/Philosophy in 1986, Katie has been involved in nearly every aspect of films; she has taught, produced,
programmed and written articles, as well as wrote and directed four short experimental films prior to her first feature
length movie, PORTRAIT OF A GIRL AS A YOUNG CAT, 2000. Katie was also the Managing Director of the Austin Film Society,
1990 – 1995. In 2003 she co-founded the Fort Green/Clinton Hill Cooperative, a daycare in Brooklyn, New York. Now living
in Saugerties, she is currently on the PTA of Lula’s school and co - chairperson of the Cahill Elementary REFLECTIONS
Program, an annual arts contest administered through the National PTA and writing a script during Niko’s naptime.
