About

The History of NEW JOY ARTS

Angela Houk founded New Joy Arts in 2005 while living in the New York/New Jersey metro area. It was established as means to provide local artists opportunities to share their passions with people in the community and help others explore their own creativity.

In 2011 Angela & her family moved across the country taking the vision of New Joy Arts along on the adventure. Raising & educating 4 kids at the same time made it possible to build lots of community connections in both Illinois and Wyoming where they lived for a time. This gave Angela even more opportunities to sow the seeds of creativity across the country!

Since moving to the Sacramento, CA region in 2013, Angela has taught at various private schools, public schools, homeschool groups, churches and community non-profits including the Crocker Art Museum.

Angela Houk, Founder & Director

As a working artist in her community, she has created and taught art all across the country in community centers, public schools, museums, private art schools and her own studio. Angela teaches adults and children in a variety of artistic disciplines from creative writing to performance, as well as visual arts and creative practices.

Angela has a degree in Cultural Studies with minors in both Education and Theology. She has studied art privately as a passionate pursuit for more than 30 years. Her diverse background has built a solid foundation for working with a wide array of community leaders, churches, schools, educational programs & arts organizations alike. Her experience in both the performing and visual arts gives her a broad base to teach from as well as the resources to encourage artists of various disciplines.

She is deeply committed to creating rich environments for personal growth and creatively integrated learning. She has creatively educated all 4 of her children with this vision in mind.

Angela served for 8 years as the Artist in Residence at Oak Hills Church in Folsom, CA where she collaborated to create The Studio at Oak Hills as a community art space. She currently serves as The Studio Director and New Joy Arts offers art classes, creativity workshops and works with other local organizations in partnership with The Studio.

As an artist, Angela is constantly finding inspiration and opportunities for creativity in the daily rhythms and challenges of family life. Beauty, grace and renewal are perpetual themes that shape her own life and artistic pursuits. She occasionally offers her thoughts about life on her own blog and has a gallery of her creative work at Joy For This Morning.