Coffee & Crafts: Meet Your Carabello Staff Art Teachers!
We launched our Coffee & Crafts classes last year in March 2025 with Printmaking, taught by Emily Carabello, and Collage/Multimedia, taught by Barista and Analog Team Member, Shelby Cherry. We had no idea what to expect...we just loved the idea of pairing coffee with fun nights of creativity! Turns out, so do you! We filled up both classes and decided to add Drawing Basics, taught by our café manager, Ben Ferguson, to our next round of classes in the fall of 2025.
It's now 2026 and Coffee & Crafts is back for Round 3! We're starting out in January with a SOLD OUT Watercolor class taught by Emily. If you missed signing up for that one, don't worry...you have two other class options in January/February! Ben will be teaching another Drawing Basics class on Friday, January 30. Sign up for Drawing Basics. The following Friday, February 6, Shelby will be teaching another Collage/Multimedia class. Sign up for Collage/Multimedia.
Since we've made Coffee & Crafts into an ongoing class series, we thought you might like to get to know a bit more about your Carabello art teachers: why they've chosen their particular mediums, what they love about Coffee & Crafts, and who they recommend should sign up for their classes. Keep reading to meet your art teachers!
Emily Carabello
What is your art background/experience?
I studied art education in college and was an art teacher for 16 years in a variety of places including elementary school, after school, adult programs, and homeschool co-ops 1st-12th grade.
Why did you choose the medium you chose for your class? Is it your favorite medium?
I go back and forth between watercolor and printmaking because I think people like interacting with the supplies, and perhaps it is not something they have done since they were in school...or ever! I regularly do embroidery, cross stitch, and continue to learn to draw on Procreate on my iPad.
What do you like most about Coffee & Crafts?
Teaching adults vs kids has ben so fun! I love seeing them relax and try out something creative!
Who do you recommend sign up for your class?
Anyone! You don't need to be artistic for these. We are making them very introductory and they are perfect to beat the winter blues!
Ben Ferguson
What is your art background/experience?
I got a bachelor's degree in graphic design and spent many hours in studio art classes at NKU taking high level drawing and painting classes. After graduating, I taught art at Calvary Christian School in Taylor Mill for 4 years teaching all grades from 1st to 12th grade, and even an AP Drawing class for my dedicated art students to earn college credits! I have also done a good amount of freelance work for people and practice my art nearly every day!
Why did you choose the medium you chose for your class? Is it your favorite medium?
I chose drawing because it is my favorite. I love drawing because there is such a wide variety of drawings you can create! From stylized or minimalist to meticulous detail and ultra realistic. It amazes me what you can do with a pencil and paper. Drawing can also be very therapeutic. You can let your mind wander or not do much thinking at all! Or you can use it to exercise your brain and get the juices flowing! That is why Coffee and Drawing go so well together! It's easy to get started and easy to clean up but the skill ceiling is almost infinite!
What do you like most about Coffee & Crafts?
I love being able to meet new people and do things that we enjoy together. It's a chance to slow down and do something intentional that is good for your mind and soul. Teaching is also one thing in life that I genuinely love doing and I feel like it is a gift of mine. Since I'm not a teacher anymore, I jump at any opportunity to teach again!
Who do you recommend sign up for your class?
If you are an experienced artist, the coffee and craft drawing class is a great place to relax and get some good drawing time in to keep you skills sharp. If you are new to drawing, this is a drawing basics class and will give you information and experience that you can practice in the class, but also keep practicing after the class is over! If you are interested in a relaxed time to hang out and enjoy art and coffee with like minded people, this class is for you!
Shelby Cherry
What is your art background/experience?
Why did you choose the medium you chose for your class? Is it your favorite medium?
What do you like most about Coffee & Crafts?
Who do you recommend sign up for your class?
