Get to know Colleen!

Colleen Magnuson is a full-time art teacher in the Buena Regional School District, where she has been teaching K-5 art for about four years, with six years experience in middle school art. Colleen became an art teacher because she wanted to share her passion for art with others. She has always loved art since she was a child, and truly believes that anyone can find joy and pride in the creative process! 

Colleen has taught adult and other children’s classes, as well as an annual summer art camp at the Hammonton Arts Center. As a member of the Hammonton Arts Center, Colleen has participated in several of the art center’s monthly art exhibits. She has also sold some of her personal work and has taught independent private classes. Colleen has been commissioned to complete several other works of art, which include a mural, pencil drawings, paintings, and pet portrait drawings, as well as calligraphy and hand lettered signs, among other works of art. Colleen has also worked as a face painter and balloon sculptor. She beertends and creates some of the chalkboard signs at a local brewery in Hammonton, called Three 3’s. 

Colleen enjoys many different forms of art and loves exploring various media. Her art studio is just full of all different kinds of art supplies! However, Colleen’s favorite form of art for the past few years has been calligraphy and hand lettering. She has always enjoyed writing and loves transforming different inspirational quotes and words, names, and fonts into interesting and beautiful works of art. Colleen loves exploring and photographing nature, riding her bicycle and rollerblading, as well as practicing yoga and working out.

Colleen loves the town of Hammonton and enjoys being a volunteer member of the different community groups that are available, which include “The Hammonton Green Committee,” “Art Club Hammonton,” and “Hammonton Heart and Soul.” Colleen is also a collector of all things floral print, flowers, and butterflies. She is a butterfly enthusiast and has raised and tagged her own monarch butterflies in the summer and raises black swallowtail butterflies. 

Art is by far Colleen’s greatest passion. Colleen believes art is a universal language of self expression that has therapeutic qualities and endless possibilities. She also believes that art can offer a place to lose oneself, as well as a place to find oneself. Colleen hopes to inspire others to create through the exploration of various forms of art. Through experimenting and exploration, Colleen hopes that others also discover the joy of creating, whether it is to create something familiar or something completely brand new.

Colleen first offered Zentangle in March 2020 at our ‘Spring into Life Day Retreat"! She soon after created Zententional Yoga, sharing the combination of her love for yoga and meditative artwork! You can expect to have fun, feel refreshed and be creative in this unique offering!