Our Team

Tanya L. Peters -

Founder

Click photo to learn more about Tanya!

Laura Fuller-Cooper, (Board Certified Art Therapist, Nationally Certified Counselor, Certified Life Coach, Supervisor for Art Therapists) -

Co-Founder/Executive Manager

  • Fun Fact - Laura is a certified Scuba Diver and enjoys gardening and international travel.

  • Instagram - @laura_merritt_studios

Click photo for more about Laura!

Sarah Tester, MS, LPC-IT, ATR-P

Art Therapist and Professional Counselor

Beauregard -

Certified Therapy Dog

  • Beau loves making people feel welcome and loved.  He enjoys eating non-food items, fetching tennis balls, and snuggles.

  • Beau jumps in circles when it's dinner time! He was born on Easter Sunday, 2022.

Josie Beck , BA -

Art Therapy Assistant

  • Josie’s favorite part of working with clients is watching their self-image improve through the strength-based, holistic approaches she takes to addressing client concerns through art. She is in her final semester of her master’s program to become an art therapist, and her favorite medium to work with (at the moment) is acrylic paint!

  • Fun fact - Josie loves watching basketball in her free time with her husband and her cat!

  • Instagram - @colorful.catharsis

Sara Skyles, BFA -

Art Therapy Graduate Intern

  • Sara holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree, concentrating in Illustration and English.  She is currently a graduate student at Mount Mary University in their Art Therapy Department Program. She has an affinity for children's books and storytelling but enjoys working with people of all ages.

  • Fun Fact: Sara raises butterflies and hopefully silk moths soon. She loves walks with her dog, as well as adventures in the backyard and surrounding areas to photograph animals, insects, and anything natural. 

  • Website - www.saraadlerart.com

Zara Dixon, MIAD Illustration BA ( May 2025) -

Service Learning Intern/Media Intern

  • Hello! My name is Zara I am a professional Illustrator, I am also skilled in animation and painting. I love to illustrate, this allows me to visually express my client's creative ideas, making them come to life. I strive to personally connect with my clients to create artwork they will love and cherish for a lifetime.

  • Fun Fact- I love Disney, I grew up going to Disney World every year!

  • Website - http://www.zararosearts.com

Lauren Blood, MIAD Communication Design BA (May 2025) -

Service Learning Intern

  • Lauren Blood is a graphic designer, writer, and multi-disciplinary artist from Kansas City, Kansas who relocated to Wisconsin to attend the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design and Marquette University, set to graduate in May 2025. Her work is fueled by her curiosity to combine physical and digital media, exploration of youth and memory, and the intersection of the art and business world.   

  • Fun Fact - In her free time Lauren loves to read non-fiction to expand her view of the world.

  • Instagram - @thelaurenblood

  • Personal Website - https://laurenblood.myportfolio.com


Jorge Vallentine, BS Kinesiology -

Musican/Studio Assistant

  • Hi, friends. My name is Jorge and I'm a musician and personal trainer working to spread the message that loving ourselves deeply can radically transform our lives for the better. My mission is to lead by example in that self-love and be a source of encouragement, empowerment, and inspiration for others, as well as create a sense of safety in my interactions with the people I meet.