Our Art Center
What makes Creative Outlets Arts Center unique is our focus on Wellness. We believe that art and artmaking is an integral part of our mental health and we aim to teach the community how to use it! It is our goal to engage the community in art making and display by not only providing classes and resources, but an exhibition space as well. We want our community to see value in art making as well as the reality that they, themselves can be a practicing, exhibited artist in our community!
Meet our Board!
These fine ladies make Creative Outlets Arts Center possible!
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Anjali Wells
President
Anjali Wells received her Bachelor's in Fine Arts and Masters of Art Education from the University of Maryland, College Park. Anjali also has a Post Graduate Certificate in Equity and Excellence in Education from McDaniel College. She has been a Highly Qualified Art Educator for Montgomery County Public Schools since 2013. Anjali has worked with multiple community organizations to develop and implement arts education programs that focus on student wellbeing. Anjali has been recognized by the Maryland Art Education Association as a 2021 Career Art Educator of the Year for MCPS. Anjali currently serves on the MCPS Fine Arts curriculum team, is the arts chair for the Councils on Teaching and Learning in MCPS, the Treasurer for MAEA, and is the president of Creative Outlets Arts Center where she seeks to bring wellness based arts education to the Laurel community.
Christee Edelen
Vice-President
Christee Edelen received her Bachelor's in Fine Arts and Masters of Art Education from the University of Maryland, College Park. Christee is a mixed media artist and elementary art educator based in Laurel, Maryland. She has over 10 years of professional teaching experience, and over 15 years as a trained visual artist. She has expanded her skills and love for art through her many visual arts business ventures, including Christee's Paint Parties and Custom Letters. She currently serves as the Regional Representative for MAEA, and Vice-President of Creative Outlets Art Center. She hopes to influence many young artists and entrepreneurs when it comes to following their artistic interests and dreams.
Megan Alodie
Secretary
Megan Alodie is a yoga instructor and visual artist who creates contemporary explorations of the mandala style through hand-painted canvases and murals, graphic design and henna art. Her artistic journey began about six years ago in New York working vendor markets and local art galleries. Traveling to Atlanta, her journey evolved into commission work, murals and henna tattooing. She has now made a home in Maryland, expanding her journey with teaching and educating her elaborate style with both children and adults.
Rachel Landale
Treasurer
Rachel Landale is a Project Management professional with 6 years of non-profit operations and project implementation experience. Since graduating with a BA in International Affairs and a minor in Anthropology from Washington College, Rachel has been a Project Manager at Aid to Artisans/Creative Learning Inc. Founded in 1977, Aid to Artisans creates economic opportunities for artisan groups around the world where livelihoods, communities, and craft traditions are marginal or at risk. With field experience in countries worldwide, Rachel specializes in effective knowledge management, monitoring & evaluation, strategic communication, and corporate and project finances. Rachel is passionate about empowering individuals in the artisan sector to provide economic opportunities, preserve culture and ensure sustainable impact.
Michelle Faulkner-Forson
Board Member
Chicago native Michelle Faulkner-Forson received her B.A. in Photography with a minor in Art from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale and her MA/MFA in Community Arts from the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore. Michelle is always in search of tools to add her creative toolbox. In her search, she was granted multiple scholarships from the Baltimore Improv Theater’s Diverse Voices fund and has completed the improv education curriculum. Prior to the pandemic, Michelle regularly performed on the Baltimore Improv Group theater’s main stage with improv teams: Big Monsters, Baltimore Tastemakers, and Sneakerwave. She is also a comedic writer, actress, and is skilled in video production. She has produced several satirical videos and aspires to amplify the stories of black culture.