Meet the Visual Arts Team
MARK JAEGER
Visual Arts Department Chair
Ceramics Teacher
Mark was born and raised in Marin County and is a proud Marin Catholic alum from the class of 1997. Mark studied Art at UC Davis under the guidance of renowned artists such as Annabeth Rosen and Wayne Thiebaud. Mark taught Ceramics in both Massachusetts and Sacramento before returning to Marin for his dream job at his alma mater in 2007. The Ceramics program at Marin Catholic is carefully directed by Mark in honor and dedication to his teacher, mentor and friend Dave Tuchsen who served humbly as the Ceramics teacher at MC for 37 years and inspired countless students. Mark now serves as the Chair of the Visual Arts Department.
Visual Arts Department Chair
Ceramics Teacher
Mark was born and raised in Marin County and is a proud Marin Catholic alum from the class of 1997. Mark studied Art at UC Davis under the guidance of renowned artists such as Annabeth Rosen and Wayne Thiebaud. Mark taught Ceramics in both Massachusetts and Sacramento before returning to Marin for his dream job at his alma mater in 2007. The Ceramics program at Marin Catholic is carefully directed by Mark in honor and dedication to his teacher, mentor and friend Dave Tuchsen who served humbly as the Ceramics teacher at MC for 37 years and inspired countless students. Mark now serves as the Chair of the Visual Arts Department.
OLIVIA BURR
Art Teacher
Born and raised in San Francisco, Olivia’s educational journey took her from a French-immersion school in SF to a Catholic school education in San Rafael during 2000. She continued her schooling at Sun Valley and San Domenico Middle School before graduating from Marin Catholic. Her active involvement in the art department and volleyball team shaped her high school years. Olivia began her college studies at UC Santa Cruz and later transferred to the University of Oregon, where her passion for art led her to explore various mediums such as textiles, woodwork, drawing, ceramics, metals and more. Graduating with a Ceramics specialization and a minor in Art History, Olivia also spent a year studying architecture and art history in Rome. Following her university journey, Olivia delved into the world of Interior Design & Architecture. With experience in showrooms, architectural firms, and as an independent designer, she maintained a connection to teaching and coaching throughout her 10-year professional exploration. Now, Olivia has found her true vocation in teaching. Her mission is to inspire students to unlock their creative potential and discover confidence in an ever-changing world. By fostering creativity, she aims to not only strengthen communities but also contribute to a better world.
Art Teacher
Born and raised in San Francisco, Olivia’s educational journey took her from a French-immersion school in SF to a Catholic school education in San Rafael during 2000. She continued her schooling at Sun Valley and San Domenico Middle School before graduating from Marin Catholic. Her active involvement in the art department and volleyball team shaped her high school years. Olivia began her college studies at UC Santa Cruz and later transferred to the University of Oregon, where her passion for art led her to explore various mediums such as textiles, woodwork, drawing, ceramics, metals and more. Graduating with a Ceramics specialization and a minor in Art History, Olivia also spent a year studying architecture and art history in Rome. Following her university journey, Olivia delved into the world of Interior Design & Architecture. With experience in showrooms, architectural firms, and as an independent designer, she maintained a connection to teaching and coaching throughout her 10-year professional exploration. Now, Olivia has found her true vocation in teaching. Her mission is to inspire students to unlock their creative potential and discover confidence in an ever-changing world. By fostering creativity, she aims to not only strengthen communities but also contribute to a better world.
ORIN CARPENTER
Art Teacher
Orin graduated from University of Memphis in 1992 with a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design minoring in Photography. 10 years later, Dr. Orin Carpenter pursued his Masters degree in Illustration from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, after moving from Memphis, TN to San Francisco in 1999. In 2006, Orin accepted a full time position as Art teacher and since then has been the Art Department Chair and Director of Visual and Performing Arts. During this time, Orin received his Doctorate of Philosophy in Education while continuing to professionally exhibit work throughout the country. In recent years, Orin’s work was shown in the De Young Museum amongst his continued display of artwork in other various galleries across the United States. Orin is always an advocate for “Art” being considered a necessity instead of a “luxury. This became evident when he presented workshops for Boston College Roche Center for Education and for the diocese of Omaha Nebraska’s school system using art as a vehicle to discuss racial issues within the classroom and schools.
Art Teacher
Orin graduated from University of Memphis in 1992 with a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design minoring in Photography. 10 years later, Dr. Orin Carpenter pursued his Masters degree in Illustration from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, after moving from Memphis, TN to San Francisco in 1999. In 2006, Orin accepted a full time position as Art teacher and since then has been the Art Department Chair and Director of Visual and Performing Arts. During this time, Orin received his Doctorate of Philosophy in Education while continuing to professionally exhibit work throughout the country. In recent years, Orin’s work was shown in the De Young Museum amongst his continued display of artwork in other various galleries across the United States. Orin is always an advocate for “Art” being considered a necessity instead of a “luxury. This became evident when he presented workshops for Boston College Roche Center for Education and for the diocese of Omaha Nebraska’s school system using art as a vehicle to discuss racial issues within the classroom and schools.
ERIKA CRAMER
Art Teacher
Erika is an arts educator whose creative passion stems from early childhood drawing sessions with her father in the Bay Area. After discovering a love for education and mentorship, she went on to earn her Bachelors in Studio Art from UCLA with an emphasis in drawing and painting and a Masters in Teaching from Seattle University. After over a decade in Washington State working with youth in the arts, where she earned an Outstanding Educator award in 2020, she is thrilled to be back in the Bay Area. Erika is excited to continue fostering a love of art making and creative problem solving in her classroom. Erika’s favorite activities involve being nose deep in a good book, sniffing out culinary mushrooms with her dog, or topping out on a rock wall.
Art Teacher
Erika is an arts educator whose creative passion stems from early childhood drawing sessions with her father in the Bay Area. After discovering a love for education and mentorship, she went on to earn her Bachelors in Studio Art from UCLA with an emphasis in drawing and painting and a Masters in Teaching from Seattle University. After over a decade in Washington State working with youth in the arts, where she earned an Outstanding Educator award in 2020, she is thrilled to be back in the Bay Area. Erika is excited to continue fostering a love of art making and creative problem solving in her classroom. Erika’s favorite activities involve being nose deep in a good book, sniffing out culinary mushrooms with her dog, or topping out on a rock wall.
LAURIE REEMSNYDER
Photography Teacher
Laurie Reemsnyder graduated with an Art Ed degree from Rhode Island School of Design, and has been teaching Photography since 1999, in Vallejo and at Marin Catholic. She spent seven years coordinating programs for the International House of Rhode Island, leading cross cultural workshops and programs to help acclimate refugees, immigrants, and international students to the US, then worked for 20 years with the International Organization for Migration, supervising (and photographing) the movement and care of half a million refugees through SFO. She has lived in Japan and Denmark, and traveled extensively through Asia, South and Central America, and Europe. Recognizing that art is transformative and connects us all as humans, she designed a photo project that was implemented each summer on her service trips to Cambodia, Costa Rica, Fiji, Thailand, Bosnia/Croatia and Peru. Her passion is in giving young people a voice and having them use it to help others, incorporating service and art.
Photography Teacher
Laurie Reemsnyder graduated with an Art Ed degree from Rhode Island School of Design, and has been teaching Photography since 1999, in Vallejo and at Marin Catholic. She spent seven years coordinating programs for the International House of Rhode Island, leading cross cultural workshops and programs to help acclimate refugees, immigrants, and international students to the US, then worked for 20 years with the International Organization for Migration, supervising (and photographing) the movement and care of half a million refugees through SFO. She has lived in Japan and Denmark, and traveled extensively through Asia, South and Central America, and Europe. Recognizing that art is transformative and connects us all as humans, she designed a photo project that was implemented each summer on her service trips to Cambodia, Costa Rica, Fiji, Thailand, Bosnia/Croatia and Peru. Her passion is in giving young people a voice and having them use it to help others, incorporating service and art.
675 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, Kentfield CA 94904 Phone: 415-464-3898 | Email: admissions@marincatholic.org
