Jo Fitsell has taught art and developed integrated art curriculum for all ages, from preschool to seniors. Whether it is creating an installation piece aimed at community building, or helping participants tell their individual stories and dreams through mixed (fiber/paper/stitch) media, the goal is always self-expression, often involving connection to nature and full of mindfulness. She has mastered making complicated textile and paper rendering techniques useable for different age groups so all students are both challenged and experience success. The love of fiber and the meditative act of slow stitching or mark making is explored and sets the tone and safe environment for opening up and trusting intuition. She has worked for Denver Public Schools, the Art Students League, and Art Street. Her rich and vibrant art quilts have been purchased by medical offices, homes and office buildings including Kaiser Permanente, Denver Seminary and the Lowry Skilled Nursing Facility.
Rewarding collaborations with young people have included making saleable silk scarves with first time offenders; a colorful, abstract wall hanging for the Denver District Attorney’s office; creating a translucent marbled mural for a public school building and a batik and marbled project for The Children’s Hospital Clinic in Littleton. Find Jo on Instagram @Artbyjofitsell. See Jo’s resume for details.