Joining our school in 1996, Elena Efimova (Townsend-Efimova) brought years of experience in teaching art to children, adults, art teachers and doing art therapy with autistic children. Her students art work was exhibited in Russia, Finland, France and the USA. After moving to Ann Arbor in 1993 Elena opened Talking Colors Art School. She is a practicing artist participating in art shows, Ann Arbor Original Art Fair, presenting at NAEA( National Art Education Association), and does private and commercial commissions. In 2022, Elena’s book about doing art with children was published in the Russian language and is in the process of being translated into English.
Elena is a parent of two alumni, 2004 and 2014, and a grandmother of four grandchildren who attend our school. She holds an MA in architecture and education. Besides teaching and doing art Elena enjoys fishing, mushrooming and playing pickle ball.