Emily Dyrek, Lead Teaching Artist

---

Emily Dyrek is a multidisciplinary artist, licensed PK–12 visual arts educator, and TCGC’s Lead Teaching Artist. 

Based in Chicago, Emily brings a strong background in both classroom teaching and community-rooted creative practice, with experience working with young people across Chicago and New York City. Emily holds both a Bachelor of Science in PK–12 Visual Arts Education and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art from Indiana University Northwest, where she graduated with Honors Distinction. She currently holds Illinois State certification in Visual Arts and has previously held teaching licenses in both New York and Indiana. Her professional experience includes teaching visual arts across PreK–8 settings in Chicago Public Schools, serving as a Visual Arts Teacher in North Lawndale and Pilsen, teaching in Title I schools in the Bronx, and working as a Teaching Artist through AmeriCorps Artist Year. She has also worked as a summer camp instructor, student mentor, behavioral interventionist, and after-school arts leader. Across these roles, she has developed a teaching approach that is grounded in creativity, collaboration, social-emotional growth, and culturally responsive practice.

As an artist, Emily’s work is rooted in mixed media, painting, found materials, and the process of sourcing and recontextualizing everyday objects. Her practice explores identity, storytelling, and accessibility, and reflects a belief that meaningful art can emerge from the materials, memories, and environments people already carry with them. She has exhibited work in both solo and group exhibitions, including at the Bridgeport Art Center, One Art Space Gallery in Tribeca, and Indiana University Northwest’s Gallery for Contemporary Art. She is also a ceramics member at Share Floor Ceramics Studio in Chicago and has participated in public art and beautification projects in both Indiana and New York.

At TCGC, Emily brings together the strengths of both her studio practice and her teaching experience. She is especially committed to creating youth-centered spaces that feel welcoming, imaginative, and grounded in care. Her work with young artists emphasizes experimentation, confidence-building, artistic voice, and the idea that creativity can help young people understand themselves, their neighborhoods, and one another more deeply. She is excited to help shape programming that is accessible, joyful, and meaningful for the communities TCGC serves.