sm/ART Camp at the Art Hotel
Our Camp Directors
Haydee Thompson has dedicated decades to mentoring young artists and future art appreciators. Beginning as a Nanny in NYC for the children of Artist/musician David Byrne, Film Director John Boorman, and actress Diane Wiest to name a few.
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Haydee is the Owner, curator, and designer of the West Salem Art Hotel. She is a graduate of UNCSA with a BFA in Drama.
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Post Graduation Haydee has held teaching positions in acting, training kids of all ages both at the Little Theatre of Winston-Salem as well as the Acting Out program for younger kids and Summer Intensive Acting Class for teenagers at UNCSA.
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For seven seasons Haydee toured with the UNCSA outreach program "The Open Dream Ensemble", funded by the Kenan Institute, and offered original performances as well as in-school residencies teaching curriculum through the arts. In partnership with Jet propulsion Laboratories taught science through music, drama, and dance.
Tessa Everton is a graduate of the Design program from Salem College who also holds certificates in Painting and Restoration from Buncombe County Community College and Small Business Entrepreneurship from Mountain Bizworks in Asheville, NC. She is a multi-disciplinary artist focusing on poetry, zine-making, and stained glass art. In her lengthy career, she has honed her skills to adapt to each project presented to her. These endeavors include festival, market, event planning, organizing, decorating, and designing spaces. She has a long career working with children ages 2-18, including adults with developmental disabilities. Part of her career includes running an after-school care program for ages K-8th grade with funding from the Winston-Salem Downtown Partnership. Tessa was the first woman Camp Director for the National Disciples of Christ Convention Center, Christmount, and to date holds the title of the youngest Director, directing the Summer Camps of 2005 at 23 years old. These camps included spiritual retreats but were not limited to and included such camps as Middle School Girl’s camps for girls from low-income households, Camp Sunshine for adults with mental retardation, and Mountain Camp, which explored nature through hiking and camping in the Appalachian Mountains.