Our Team

Mary Hay

Mary Hay

Founder and Director

Painter, photographer and textile artist Mary Hay, developed Artmania in 2002. Mary is a practicing visual artist, a mother of two, and a North Vancouver resident. She believes that daily contact with art keeps life fresh and interesting. She delights in watching her students grow, learn to express themselves, tell stories, and engage with the world through their developing creative skills. Mary earned her BFA from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design / Fashion Institute of Technology NY, Ontario College of Art and Sheridan College. She has taught with the Vancouver and West Vancouver School Board, and has run a professional fabric design studio and an arts-oriented day care.  Mary loves to share her passion for art with everyone and anyone, as well as create a studio filled with inspiration for people to come and experience everyday.

Ladan Amirhomayoun

Ladan Amirhomayoun

Teacher

Ladan is a Graphic Design and Illustration graduate who returned to Artmania in 2025 after teaching with us for three years before taking time to raise her two boys. She teaches our school programs, Parent & Tot classes, drawing and Painting classes and Digital Illustration courses and camps. A nurturing educator, Ladan’s love of design and art education shines through every class, inspiring confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love of art in her students.

Pardiss Behrouzi

Pardiss Behrouzi

Teacher

A Fine Art graduate and accomplished multidisciplinary artist, Pardiss has exhibited her work in both solo and group shows. She brings more than a decade of teaching experience and advanced skills in interior design software, including AutoCAD, 3ds Max, and V-Ray. Pardiss teaches our school programs, Paint Lab and our camp programs with creativity and flare. Outside the studio, she also works as a professional fashion model featured in top magazines and runway shows.

Nicole Laurent

Nicole Laurent

Teacher

Nicole Laurent is a Costa Rican artist who moved to Vancouver in 2022. Nicole is a graduate from Colmena Centro de Artes Escénicas – Musical Theatre Conservatory program in Costa Rica, Associated Studios – Musical Theatre for Professionals Intensive program in London, UK and Vancouver Film School – Acting for Film and TV. She’s fortunate to have worked in Vancouver, New York, London and Costa Rica. She is the owner of Colmena Centro de Artes Escénicas in Costa Rica. With more than 10 years of experience in the performing arts field, Nicole is always looking forward to diving deep into new adventures, opportunities for growth, increase productivity and create a positive environment around her.  When she’s not trying to become the next Liza Minnelli you can find her doing manifesting meditations to become the next Liza Minnelli.
Molly Maghsoodi

Molly Maghsoodi

Teacher Administrator

Molly has a rich educational background in Graphic Design and Illustration, including a Diploma from the Vancouver College of Art and Design (VCAD). Over the last ten years, she’s dedicated herself to teaching art, sharing her passion and knowledge with young minds.
Founder of Molly Design, she explores the creative intersection of art and practical design through her brand, crafting unique, handmade jewelry that embodies innovation and creativity.
In her teaching role, Molly focuses on nurturing the imaginative capabilities of her students, guiding them through the exciting world of art and design with enthusiasm and expertise. Her goal is to inspire and equip the next generation of artists with the tools they need for creative expression.
Zahra Motallebzadeh

Zahra Motallebzadeh

Teacher

Zahra is an accomplished artist with over 30 years of experience, celebrated for her expressive porcelain and ceramic painting. She has led workshops, operated her own West Vancouver studio, and contributed to community art initiatives. Currently studying Early Childhood Education, Zahra pairs her artistic mastery with a warm, nurturing approach, enriching Artmania’s porcelain and ceramics programs with creativity and refined technique.