Claire (Clem) Merkle

Art Instructor

Clem (she/her) is a professional artist and art educator located in New York City. Art instruction and mentorship has been extremely influential in the development of Clem’s artwork and artistic career, and her participation in arts education has become closely enmeshed with her studio practice. Clem’s personal art studio practice is primarily focused on oil painting, and she is passionate about creating visual environments with paint that immerse and interrogate viewers.

Clem cultivates an inclusive environment for learning in every classroom she teaches in. She believes that creating art can be a deeply reflective experience and is a way to express one’s inner-world, even when parts of oneself may have not yet been accessed or understood. Clem is dedicated to ensuring that her art classes provide a compassionate place and space for all of her students to explore themselves and what matters most to each unique individual. As an art educator, Clem invites students to think curiously and critically about their own artwork, and she encourages safe, connective and open discussion about the overall journey and surprises that arise through creative expression.

Clem’s experience teaching in art studios spans a wide range of age groups and skill levels. Clem has specific expertise in teaching inspiring general art studio, painting, and photography classes. Clem is originally from Upstate, NY and moved to New York City to study and receive her Bachelor of Fine Arts, with a minor in Art History with a specific concentration in 20th century French and German artists, from The Cooper Union. Clem was a leading educator at The Cooper Hewitt’s Saturday Program for four years, where she shaped creative minds and spirits. Clem’s paintings have been included in multiple group exhibitions in art galleries in New York City, and she is the recipient of the Laura Miller Margolius Memorial Prize.