About
Connect the Dots Art Studio enlists local artists and community members to work together on projects that align with the values and aesthetics of MarinArts. The projects are led by award winning art educators Barbara Libby-Steinmann and Anna Rochester (co-founders of Connect the Dots Art Studio), who together have over 30 years of experience in art and museum education at University of Chicago’s Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures, the Shedd Aquarium, the Exploratorium, and at Bacich Elementary School.
Barbara Libby-Steinmann
Barbara Libby-Steinmann (she,her) lives with her husband in San Geronimo, California. She was born and raised in Switzerland. Barbara, holds a B.A. in Visual Merchandising and Illustration and a Visual Arts teaching credential. She is National Board Certified and has been working in visual arts education for two decades. Barbara has received county and statewide recognition for her teaching excellence and curriculum design. She is a leader in advocating for arts integration in schools and bringing art making opportunities to her community. Her artwork has been published in editorial and community events such as “Hearts in San Francisco” and her paintings and drawings have been cherished by private collectors in the United States, Canada and Switzerland.
Anna Rochester
Anna Rochester (she,her) received her B.A. in Art Education from the University of Oregon and her M.A. from the Art Institute of Chicago. From 1996 to 2010 she worked in Museum Education departments at world class institutes from the Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures at the University of Chicago to the Shedd Aquarium and, then at the Exploratorium in San Francisco. Her work focused on leveraging museum collections and hands-on practices to enrich K-12 curricula, exploring the interface between artistic and scientific ways of inquiry. Since 2014, She has lived in Kentfield with her son, husband and dog. For Anna, art making remains both a way to represent the world and its abstractions, and a vehicle with which to engage with artists and students motivated by similar aspirations. Her latest project with the California Society of Printmakers involved working on an artist book called “Confluence”, in conjunction with Print Houston. Anna is thrilled to be the co-curator of the Marelli Window Gallery in San Rafael, which has been a shoe repair business for over 100 years!
The Dynamic Team
Anna Rochester and Barbara Libby-Steinmann
Barbara Libby-Steinmann and Anna Rochester met in 2014 when Anna’s son entered Barbara’s art program at Bacich Elementary School in Kentfield, California. Anna volunteered in Barbara’s classes and helped her organize and install indoor and outdoor schoolwide student and community art installations. A friendship developed and many artistic collaborations and curated events followed.
During the pandemic the dynamic team recognized the importance of integrating art into schools’ curricula and people’s daily lives to enhance life and learning. In collaboration they developed the Community ArtsKitchen YouTube channel to deliver hands-on art making activities for all ages. Barbara and Anna addressed social justice topics through a series of thematic videos expressing emotions and feelings through art. These videos continue to be used by teachers and parents to spark a conversation about social justice and show how art making can be used as a tool to express feelings and emotions.
Mission
We harness the transformative power of visual arts to raise awareness, inspire positive change, and facilitate meaningful conversations. Our mission is to foster balance and peace, promote communication, and engage in discourse on social and global issues, driving positive experiences and change in our communities and beyond.
Vision
Our vision is to create an inclusive space where the beauty and power of art transcend barriers, driving a movement towards a more balanced, peaceful, and connected world.
Future Vision
We have irresistible ideas to elevate Connect the Dots Art Studio to a one-of-a-kind entity for fine arts in Marin County and beyond. We are excited to fulfill our personal and professional dreams to take on this exciting task for positive change through the arts. Together we will wonder, stumble, make mistakes, and continue to learn while never forgetting to have fun along the way!