Ariana Sellers

Since 2017, I’ve built my career around a deep passion for working with children and creating meaningful learning experiences. After earning a B.A. in Art Studio and an M.A.T. in Art Education from Coastal Carolina University in Conway, SC, I began exploring how art and education can come together to support young learners.

I started at the Rebecca Randall Bryan Art Gallery, making the arts more accessible to my university community. From there, I moved to the Metal Museum in Memphis, TN, where I developed creative, hands-on programs for kids and teens centered around blacksmithing and fine metalwork. This experience deepened my commitment to education and introduced me to the value of traditional craft as a tool for learning, confidence-building, and community connection.

In 2021, I relocated to western North Carolina to join Penland School of Craft, where I coordinated digital media and photography for the gallery, helping to share the stories of contemporary craft artists. While I loved being part of the creative community at Penland, I found myself missing the energy and joy of working directly with children. That pull led me back to the classroom, where I’ve always felt most connected. Most recently, I served as both a Floater and Afterschool Lead at Spruce Pine Montessori School, supporting young children through their daily routines and helping create a warm, curiosity-driven learning environment.

Regardless of the setting, my favorite part of the work has always been building relationships with children—helping them feel seen, supported, and excited to explore the world around them. I’m happy to begin a new chapter at Asheville Montessori School, where I look forward to nurturing a learning environment where children feel respected, confident, and inspired every day.

Outside of the classroom, I enjoy birdwatching, gardening, and spending quiet time at home with my cat.