Ambassador
“The opportunity to learn the ARTEFFECT Unsung Heroes curriculum is exciting especially when instruction is on a national platform involving educators with broad exposure and experience. I would like to learn about new trends in contemporary art that explore new approaches of storytelling… to learn from other art educators and discuss new approaches in art-making that depict stories of Unsung Heroes."
Jill Kokesh is a native of Fort Pierre, South Dakota. She began her career as a photojournalist working in the late 90’s covering politics and local news in Central South Dakota. An opportunity to teach art at the Lower Brule Sioux Indian Reservation in 1999 set in motion a career in art education that has spanned 18 years. In 2000, she relocated to Denver, Colorado, where she taught art at Humanex Academy. She continued her education in web design and digital photography by earning a degree in Multimedia and Web Design from the Art Institute of Colorado and an Educational Fellowship toward a Master of Arts in Digital Photography from the Savannah College of Art and Design. She also worked closely in the River North Arts District showcasing emerging artists at The Meadowlark and organizing opportunities for inner city youth to experience and exhibit artwork in summer festivals in downtown Denver. In 2008, she was awarded the Colorado Art Education Association Educator of the Year/Alternative School for her work with special needs students and inner-city youth artists. In 2013, she moved back to her hometown and is currently an art instructor at TF Riggs High School in Pierre, South Dakota. She was the 2011 Art Educator of the Year by the Colorado Art Education Association.
