Get to Know Anna Banana and her team!
Photograph by Malek Naz Freidouni 2022
Meet Owner Anne Freeman
Anne Freeman is a long-time D.C. resident who brings 20 years of art experience and an energetic enthusiasm to to her teaching. Anne has taught children privately from The River School, St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School, the National Child Research Center (NCRC), Barbara’s Montessori School, National Presbyterian Church School (NPS), Hyde-Addison Elementary, Stoddert Elementary and Beauvoir to name a few.
In recent years, she taught a year-long Art Resource Program at the Chevy Chase Bethesda Community Children’s Center and a yearly Art Resource Unit at Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist Church Nursery School.
Children that enroll in classes will enjoy an opportunity to learn about artists such as Monet, Seurat, O’Keeffe, Matisse and Calder. Children will also be exposed to contemporary art and artists such as Koons, Warhol and Lichtenstein.
Classes incorporate exploration of artistic materials, techniques and of course, good old fashioned arts and crafts. Children will make seasonal crafts such as Valentine’s Day cards, holiday ornaments, Earth Day projects and more!
We let the glitter fly at Anna Banana. FUN!
Meet Teacher Vy Pham
Originally from San Clemente, CA, Anh-Vy (“Vy”) Pham moved to Washington, D.C. to pursue a career in the environmental and energy field, recently graduating with a Master's in Environment and Sustainability Management from Georgetown University.
Growing up, Vy always had a passion for painting and drawing, and has integrated creative skills into various aspects of life, from corporate work to painting portraits as gifts and teaching children art.
She believes art is a vital creative outlet for everyone and is thrilled to join Anna Banana Arts and Crafts to share a love for the arts and inspire younger generations.
Meet Teacher Michelle Sapalasan
Michelle Sapalasan is a newcomer to D.C., growing up in New Jersey and most recently living in New York City.
Michelle has had experiences working as an elementary and special education teacher, and understands the importance of meeting a child’s sensory needs (with one of the best ways being through art)!
Her love for fun and creativity has always flourished in her practice as she aims to promote a child’s natural willingness to imagine and create.