Staff
Artistic Director
Where did you grow up?
Austria
What kind of artist are you / art do you do?
Social practice, environmental art, sculpture
What do you like to do in your free time?
Getting inspired by kids, art. Hiking, skiing, knitting, and cooking.
Monika Wuhrer (she / her) is the founder and artistic director of Open Source Gallery and KoKo NYC. Originally from Austria, she received her MFA in sculpture from the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna. Monika founded Open Source Gallery and its education wing in 2007. She is the mother of 3 boys and realized that education in New York City is missing programs that encourage kids to play, explore and build without the standard supervision parents and other programs provide, but by letting kids assess their own risk, while still being supervised and kept safe. Monika has exhibited in the US, Norway, Austria, Italy, Thailand, Finland, France, Switzerland, and Japan.
Education Director
Where did you grow up?
Charlotte, North Carolina.
What kind of artist are you / art do you do?
Someone who enjoys art but doesn’t really make any!
What do you like to do in your free time?
Walk my dogs, read, travel
Christie Hodgkins (she / her) is KoKo NYC’s Education Director. She received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Columbia University and started her career in the field of education as a Teach For America corps member in New Orleans. Christie has coordinated public programs for kids + families at Battery Park City Parks Conservancy and served as the Executive Director of Youth on the Edge…of Greatness in Detroit. Most recently, Christie worked at CAMBA where she developed and scaled up youth development programs ranging from early literacy and elementary/middle school after-school programs, to summer camps and college access + prep programs. Christie believes deeply that all kids should have access to KoKo’s unique programming and is excited to bring KoKo to more communities across NYC.
Programs Administrator
Where did you grow up?
Upstate New York
What kind of artist are you / art do you do?
Drawing and textiles, but I have a broad definition of drawing
What do you like to do in your free time?
See live performance, listen to podcasts, visit museums
Mary Rynasko (she / her) is KoKo NYC’s Programs Administrator. She joined KoKo NYC in June 2024. Before joining the KoKo team, Mary worked with international nonprofits and foundations, oversaw operations of a boutique baking company, and managed a screenprinting studio. Mary graduated from Skidmore College with a degree in Studio Art and Sociology.
Our Teaching Artists
Adrian
Where did you grow up?
Los Angeles, California
What kind of artist are you/ art do you do?
Sculpture, 16mm Filmmaking, and Printmaking
What do you like to do in your free time?
Bike, watch films, visit galleries/museums, make playlists, read, and meander.
Alex
Where did you grow up?
San Francisco Bay Area, Northern California
What kind of artist are you/ art do you do?
I collage, write, and send homemade cards to friends and family.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I love taking dance classes, especially if they have a live accompanist!
Asha
Where did you grow up?
Washington, D.C.
What kind of artist are you/ art do you do?
I love to draw and see myself as an illustrator but have recently been exploring textile arts and am excited to see where that goes.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I like to walk when the sun is out and listen to audiobooks (especially mystery novels by Agatha Christie)
Asia
Where did you grow up?
Poland
What kind of artist are you/ art do you do?
Painter and social practice artist
What do you like to do in your free time?
Bike, run, travel, see new places, meet new people meditate, learn, & grow 🙂
Clara
Where did you grow up?
Brooklyn, NY
What kind of artist are you/ art do you do?
Drawing and sculpture
What do you like to do in your free time?
Dance, bike, go to the beach, cook, read, picnic, laugh
Deepti
Where did you grow up?
I’m from India! I grew up partly in India and partly in Saudi Arabia though!
What kind of artist are you/ art do you do?
I’m an illustrator, muralist and sculptor. I work across a wide variety of media, including digital and traditional illustration, and clay and papier-mache sculpture. Whether I’m crafting giant animals and plants out of paper mache, making whimsical clay sculptures or creating illustrations to bring a story to life, I find great happiness in using my hands to create. I hope that my work helps viewers connect with the childlike wonder and enchantment within themselves.
What do you like to do in your free time?
Read, cook yummy food, spend time with friends+fam, watch live music and theatre 🙂
Freddy
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Miami Florida as a first generation Cuban immigrant and always had a taste for the dramatic.
What kind of artist are you/ art do you do?
I studied to be a film director but these days I spent my time running roleplay games focused on nuanced emotional narratives!
What do you like to do in your free time?
I often can be found enjoying a sunny day with a cup of cafecito surrounded by my three cats! La vida can be good!!
Gerado
Where did you grow up?
Brooklyn, Southern California, Puerto Rico, & New Orleans.
What kind of artist are you/ art do you do?
Visual Arts usually, mixed media on paper, some digital, I love building as well.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I like breaking (dancing), illustrating, watching movies (stories), singing, cards & board games.
Hadar
Where did you grow up?
Israel
What kind of artist are you/ art do you do?
I’m a conceptual artist working in mixed media. Mainly creating small scale sculptures.
What do you like to do in your free time?
Go to art galleries, cooking, and read.
Hannah
Where did you grow up?
Atlanta, GA
What kind of artist are you/ art do you do?
I am a theater artist! I perform in many different capacities, including as a deviser/performer in experimental theater projects, in Film & TV projects, and creating clown/character bits for variety formats. I’m a founding member of an improv team called Milk Run, the new clown ensemble called WüfPak, and the experimental theater collective called CHILD. This summer I head to Edinburgh Fringe Festival to perform in a month-long run of a play, followed by a world-premier of an original show at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival this September.
What do you like to do in your free time?
In my free time I love biking, laying in hammocks, being outdoors, swimming in bodies of water, hiking, writing music, singing in a choir, seeing live music and performance, gardening, practicing qigong, meditating, dancing, and many other things!!
Moein
Where did you grow up?
Tehran – Iran
What kind of artist are you/ art do you do?
Digital art, jewelry, music
What do you like to do in your free time?
Walking in the city
Oliver
What kind of artist are you/ art do you do?
A little bit of everything! Drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, fiber, drag, costume, makeup, installation, anything else I have the opportunity to try! I like things that are tactile, multisensory, interactive, community-centered.
What do you like to do in your free time?
Depending on the day I find myself on hiking trails & in moshpits & home with my beloved kitty Mr. Bubbles
Sam
Where did you grow up?
NY, Brooklyn, Park Slope
What kind of artist are you/ art do you do?
Graphic design, gardening
What do you like to do in your free time?
I love to work in the garden, work on photoshop and play badminton with my friends.
Spaghetti
Where did you grow up?
In and out of areas in Brooklyn but mostly around The Lot – it has changed a lot since I grew up here.
What kind of artist are you/ art do you do?
I participate in performance art and like to sing from time to time. But do not pet me during my act. Thanks.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I like to eat and test out new furniture. I also enjoy walks; I am constantly looking for inspiration.
Wally
Where did you grow up?
Brooklyn, New York
What kind of artist are you/ art do you do?
Poetry
What do you like to do in your free time?
I like to study history, walk dogs, and picnic in Prospect Park.