About Us
Dot and Line Art Studio's name originates from our thinking about a well known quote by the artist Paul Klee: "A line is a dot that went for a walk." It encompasses our teaching philosophy of learning through play, experimentation, reflection, and engagement. Kate and Branden started Dot and Line Art Studio in Summer of 2021 with a belief that everyone of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds can share in the journey of learning and exploration through the visual arts. They live in Mt. Lebanon, Pittsburgh, PA with their 10-year old son, who loves to design, build, and make big messes.
Kate Gugliotta
Kate, a native Pittsburgher, returned to the city after 14 years living and teaching art in New York City. Prior to moving back to Pittsburgh, Kate designed the art curriculum for the Gillen Brewer School and was their head art teacher for 11 years. Kate also worked in the education departments at the Whitney Museum, Museum of Modern Art, and the Noguchi Museum. Most recently, Kate served as the Lower School Visual Arts teacher and Chair of the Visual Arts Department at a private school in Shadyside and taught in the graduate art education department at Moore College of Art and Design. Kate’s research in education has been featured in several publications and has presented at many conferences and led professional development workshops, both in the United States and internationally. She is a graduate of Teachers College, Columbia University and holds a MA in Art Education.
Branden Koch
Branden, born in Cleveland, Ohio, lived and worked in New York City for 14 years prior to moving to Pittsburgh. A practicing artist, Branden has shown his work nationally in several group and solo exhibitions, with features and reviews in many in-print and online publications. As an art educator, Branden has worked with students from a variety of backgrounds and abilities. He has taught locally at The Mattress Factory, The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, The Winchester Thurston School, and works with several private students. Branden currently teaches Design in The Fine Art and Design Department at Chatham University, has recently served as Part-Time Lecturer at The Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, and as Mentor for MFA candidates at Lesley University Art + Design, Cambridge, Massachusetts. He is a graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Art and The Milton Avery School of the Arts at Bard College, both with concentrations in Painting. Branden recently attended Interlude Artist Residency in June, 2022, and has had a solo exhibition of his work at Bunker Projects, Pittsburgh, PA in November, 2022.
Jill Buda graduated college in 2019, with a BA in Community Art from Wheaton College, Illinois. Since then, Jill has been serving the Pittsburgh area as an arts educator in several different communities and neighborhoods. Jill has had the pleasure of teaching art at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh and the Carnegie Museum of Art. Additionally, Jill was the art teacher at a private school in Moon Township, as well as an arts educator at several nonprofits and small
businesses in the area. When Jill isn’t making or teaching art, she enjoys cooking new recipes, reading, and spending time with her family and friends.
Taylor Mezo (Lead Ceramics Educator) is a ceramic artist from Illinois, currently living in Pittsburgh PA. She works primarily in sculptural and functional ware, using red earthenware to create vessels utilizing a mixture of wheel throwing and hand building techniques. She is inspired by Retro fashion, flora and fauna, Lisa Frank, classic cars, drag performers, mid-century modern furniture, and even cartoons from the 90s. Her work ranges between fun and functional objects to decorative wearables.
Check out Taylor's work on her website : https://www.tayloramezo.com
Cam Houghton (Studio Assistant) is a sophomore Mt. Lebanon High school and enjoys cartooning and sculpture in her leisure. Cam is a visual artist and music maker coming from a family of musicians and painters. She has been studying art from a young age and has recently attended the advanced drawing and painting program at Interlochen Arts Camp in Michigan. Over the past few years she has assisted in local community art programs and enjoys working with children. She values the process of trial and error and advocates for an open environment for students to explore their style without limitation.
Brooke Murawski (Studio Assistant) is a senior at Mt. Lebanon High School and has a passion for telling stories through writing, music, and art. She plans to study creative writing, screenwriting, animation, and art in college. She volunteers frequently at the Mt. Lebanon Library and with the school district's music program, giving her lots of experience with kids. Her art has been featured in the high school's art show and in the school's annual magazine, which she is now the editor in chief for. In her free time, she enjoys painting, animation, digital art, playing piano and cello, and writing books. One of her favorite things is letting kids express their unique selves through art because she loves seeing all the creative stories and perspectives that kids have to offer.
