Kirstin McAuliffe

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A passionate educator, costume designer, and visual artist, Kirstin has spent a career bringing imagination to life through color, form and various mediums. With a degree in Fashion Design from FIDM and continued education in Visual Communication from NIU, Kirstin seamlessly blends technical expertise with a passion for teaching,
supported by over a 15 years of professional design experience. Her career started as a Costumer and Designer in Film, TV and theater where she was awarded for her contributions. While at NIU her love of teaching was ignited when she oversaw multiple theater costume labs. After moving back home to California she began teaching in her daughter's classrooms which lead to a waitlisted afterschool program. Upon talking to a
fellow HuckleBerry teacher, she knew it was time to transition to an exciting new challenge.

Beyond the world of costumes, for the past 7 years, Kirstin has inspired young artists in grades k–8, teaching visual arts and encouraging creativity, self-expression, and technical skill development. Through innovative lesson plans and a commitment to fostering confidence and creativity, Kirstin helps students turn their ideas into vibrant, tangible works of art.  Whether working with university students, Hollywood costume houses, or elementary classrooms, Kirstin brings the same energy: an inventive spirit, a love of craftsmanship, patience, and a deep belief in the transformative power of art.

When Kirstin is not teaching art, you can find her tinkering with technology like the Adobe suite or her laser and cad cutting machines. Learning new ways to innovate and blend new with traditional. Sewing, Patternmaking and culinary arts fill the rest of her time when not at the Pilates studio or assistant coaching her daughters Run team.​