Stacey Barden created ​The Smiling Easel to share her knowledge and passion for art with aspiring young artists. With 15 years of teaching experience, she has worked with students in early childhood through secondary education, as well as students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She’s an active member of the arts community and a member of the National Art Education Association, in addition to holding faculty positions at both Memorial Presbyterian Day School and Veritas Classical School in St. Augustine, Florida.

The mission of the Smiling Easel is to stimulate curiosity, foster creativity, and encourage self-expression in children and young adults. Through innovative lessons, students journey through the timeline of art history as they are introduced to art techniques and movements, along with learning about the works of prominent artists of the past and present.