Bad Dog Arts Staff

Michael Morgan (Moonbird) - Co-Founder/Co-Director
Moonbird (his art name) was educated in drawing, painting, and creative writing at the University of Utah and is well known for his multiple talents in graphic design, illustration, watercolor and acrylic painting. Moonbird is responsible for the design, layout, and production of the Bad Dog Website. His greatest passion is helping young artists utilize more of their imagination.  In 1998 Moonbird was recipient of the Entrepreneur of the Year Award for the State of Utah from the Small Business Association.

Victoria Lyons - Co-Founder/Co-Director
Victoria Lyons received her BFA from the University of Utah where she studied printmaking, drawing, and painting. Victoria, who belongs to the Ojibwa Tribe, has become well known for her mask making and draws artistic inspiration from the land, animals, and cultures from around the world. Victoria leads painting, sculpting and drawing classes for children, specializing in mask making, paper mache, sculpture, printmaking, mosaic, ceramic tile, and fused glass artwork. She emphasizes the life changing benefits of creating art and co-directs the Art Programs at Bad Dog Arts.

Erika Cespedes - Programs Manager
Erika is an award-winning photographer and arts educator. Ever since she can remember art has been a part of her life, she participated in art festivals, competitions and other art programs. She attended Art Universities in Fort Lauderdale, Chicago for her under-graduate in commercial and fine art photography and attained her MFA in photography at the Academy of Art University in California. Her work has been exhibited in several galleries and museums throughout the United Sates.
Erika has taught a variety of art programs through museums and galleries adapting her lessons in Spanish and English. Her classes involve risk youth, terminal illness patients, LGBT teens, immigrant children, adults, seniors, k-12 and higher education students. 

Kaylie Gage - Art Teacher
Kaylie is a graduate from Utah State University with a BFA in Painting and Drawing. She graduated summa cum laude with minors in Art History and Psychology. In school, she earned top marks in all of her painting and drawing courses for the depiction of a large range of subjects in various styles and media.  During her time at Utah State she also had the opportunity to study printmaking, graphic design, color theory, and sculpture. She enjoys working with kids.

Michaela Velarde - Art Teacher
Michaela received a BFA in Drawing & Painting from the University of Utah in May of 2014 and began as an instructor for BDA in June. Her goal is to provide an arts learning experience for students that both engages and challenges them to think critically, problem solve, and reflect. She excels at helping kids connect art with science & literature. Through the arts, students can explore new perspectives, embrace mistakes, and experience their own creative process with a sense of playfulness.

Oreo - Resident Bad Dog
I'm not really bad, just cool! I twirl and twirl before breakfast and dinner.  I come from the Pomeranian Breed, but you should know I am also a twirling double sandwich cookie dog that brings joy, laughter, and peace to our space. Kids fall in love with me! Woof!
My favorite saying is from Franz Kafka..."All knowledge, the totality of all questions and answers, is contained
in the dog."