ATELIER ON THE PRAIRIE

Erin Rider-Studio Artist/Instructor

Born in Kansas and raised in rural Missouri, I grew up in a small town of 2,000 people where creativity wasn’t always encouraged—but I found ways to sketch, dream, and stay curious. I was the first in my immediate family to attend college, originally pursuing a teaching degree at the University of Central Missouri. Everything changed when I took a studio art class on a whim—and discovered a lifelong passion.

That turning point led me west to San Diego and Tucson, where I worked with established artists, created murals, designed public art, and even carved live with a chainsaw. I founded WileyRiderArt LLC to take on bold, creative commissions and express my vision through large-scale community projects.

After becoming a mother in 2013, I returned to the Midwest - a place that shares my values of community, creativity, and connection. I went back to UCM to create my own interdisciplinary major, blending art, design, and sociology to imagine how creative spaces can serve entire communities.

I recently launched E&J Events, a dream years in the making: a welcoming space for art workshops where people can create, learn, and connect. My teaching style is hands-on, encouraging, and deeply rooted in the belief that everyone has a creative spark worth exploring.

Whether you’re picking up a brush for the first time or diving back into your creative practice, my workshops are designed to inspire confidence, build community, and spark joy through art.