Our mission is to create a structured and supportive environment, guided by art star mentors 🤩
We aim to help you prioritize and integrate creative activities into your life by connecting you with your favorite art star
Our team 🌟
Our team is a tightly-knit group of creative professionals, each with an extensive background in art and design. We bring years of expertise, boundless enthusiasm, and a shared commitment to nurturing artistry in every aspect on our platform.
Meet Graham Shillington, Head of Technology 🤓
Graham Shillington, our technology guy, has been weaving his magic in the tech landscape since 2000. With a career spanning diverse domains, from digital agencies to product management, Graham brings a wealth of experience to the Hearts & Stars team.
Beyond his tech skills, Graham also dabbles in illustration as a hobby and finds endless inspiration from the group of art stars who grace his social media feeds with their captivating creations.
Graham is not just a technology enthusiast; he's a technology optimist. His passion lies in assembling exceptional teams and crafting digital products that empower and inspire. With his vision and leadership, Hearts&Stars is set to redefine the future of art mentorship through technology.
Say hi to Annabelle Wienand, Head of Curriculum 🤔
Annabelle Wienand has more than fifteen years experience in lecturing visual arts. After earning her doctorate in 2014, she has developed and taught a wide range of visual arts curriculum and has a comprehensive knowledge of global historical and contemporary art and design. Her approach to teaching is built on enthusiasm and a deep love of learning, which enables her students to grow their skills in meaningful ways.
Annabelle's commitment to building networks and mentoring has led her to work on Creative Exchanges that bring artists and creatives together to collaborate on short-term projects. She is also an arts writer and contributes to various review platforms. Annabelle aims to make Hearts & Stars a thriving ecosystem where artists of all backgrounds can learn, connect and thrive.
High five Matt Stark, Head of User Experience 😎
Matt Stark is an accomplished creative director who has worked in the world of design since 2010. Matt has also thrived as a freelance graphic and web designer, honing his skills and mastering the art of visual communication. His journey is a testament to his commitment to crafting design solutions that captivate and inspire.
Matt is a true advocate for the transformative power of design. He's deeply passionate about the process of creating valuable digital experiences that people love. Matt's excitement for applying design principles to improve digital experience and expand their impact knows no bounds.
As our Head of User Experience, Matt aims to leverage his extensive experience in design to enhance the user journey on Hearts&Stars. His vision is to create a platform where the mentorship experience is not only enriching but also aesthetically engaging.