Creative Development Instructor & Project Manager

I have supported people, teams, clients and executives at all levels with over 20 years of professional service experience. I have achieved great success in project management roles by being highly organized and proactive.

As an artist, interior designer, and instructor, I value all new opportunities and work with a high level of ownership, accountability and initiative. In 2009, I started my own independent contracting business, Coloring My World Studios, which has evolved over the last 15 years and is now called Creative Ames.

EDUCATION:

Northern Illinois University, B.A. Studio Art / Minor: Art History (1991 – 1995)

Harrington College of Design, A.S.S. (with additional courses) Interior Design (2002 – 2004)

Internship: Tom Stringer Inc., Residential Interiors, 2004 and HGTV Designer's Finals Volunteer, 2004.

TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE:

Apple, PC, Microsoft Office, Sage ACT/CRM, DataOne, Photoshop, Illustrator, Pages, Chief Architect Home Designer Pro 2020, AutoCAD, ICE Edge-3D software, Point of Sale (POS)

Web: iWeb, Squarespace, Canva, Shopify

Social Media: Pinterest, Houzz, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIN

PRESENT EXPERIENCE :

Misericordia, Heart of Mercy Home, Chicago, March 2022 - present

Developmental Trainer, Art Instructor

I instruct developmentally disabled adults, ranging from 25-55 years old, in a working art studio at Misericordia. My self-developed program is called “Art from the Heart,” where we co-create paintings and mixed media art work everyday.

I am responsible for submitting over 48 pieces to date for the annual fund-raising event held at the Art Institute of Chicago called, the Artist in All. In November of 2022, my studio raised $20,120.00 with 23 paintings. In July 2023, $17,000.00 was raised with 25 paintings. I am currently working on 28 more for the event in May 2024.

I supervise residents, volunteers and direct support professionals in the classroom studio to ensure a positive, safe and productive environment for all.

Creative Ames Studios, 2022 - present

Commissioned artist working in acrylics and hand made papers with a focus on color vs. neutrality, balance and story telling.

LEADERSHIP & INSTRUCTING EXPERIENCE:

In Spring 2017 I launched a community based learning course, Introduction to Interior Design at the Evanston Art Center. The class met weekly and I introduced my students to space planning, materials, color theory, scale, texture and the basic design principles found in all art forms.

From 2014 – 2018, I created and led a special education program called the Art Club, at The Center for Independent Futures (CIF) in Evanston, IL for adults with developmental disabilities. This community outreach program included painting and drawing lessons, as well as quarterly visits to the Art Institute on public transportation to teach independence.

I am a highly entertaining and skilled presenter. I received hundreds of positive reviews from instructing over 400 social art events in Chicago and the suburbs from 2010-2015.

INTERIOR DESIGN SALES & PROJECT MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE:

As an interior design consultant, I communicate beautiful and functional solutions that improve the value and function of a space. I offer services in staging, space planning, lighting solutions, furniture & materials selection, and color scheme solutions. I work with established real estate professionals, homeowners and other interior designers on a contract basis. My background in commercial design for contract sales organizations from 2005 – 2009 has served as an excellent foundation for large scale renovations and overall project management.

Design & Sales Consultant, John Plunkett Interiors, Wilmette, 2020 -2021

  • Contracted to consult with customers on furniture, flooring, window treatments and remodeling.

  • Managed the sales process from qualification to installation.

  • Met with product representatives to keep updated on product knowledge and samples.

Showroom Design Assistant, Sarah Dippold HOME, Winnetka, November, December 2019

  • Contracted to assist in the grand opening of a new showroom location.

  • Met with new vendors, provided service to clients and walk in’s, managed Shopify software, sold furniture and accessories.

Interior Designer, Ethan Allen, Skokie, IL, August 2018 - January 2019

  • Sold over $65,000 worth of furniture in the first two months by assisting walk-in showroom clients.

  • Created floor plans and color schemes for presentation; completed on-site measurements and fabric approvals to place orders, serviced deliveries and provided quotes.

Sourcing Specialist | Design Assistant, M Design - Mary W. Nigh, Kenilworth, IL,

  • Contract basis only - provide fabric, furniture, accessories and lighting solutions.

Design Assistant, Faith Kiehart Design Inc., Chicago, since July 2017 (project based)

  • Perform on-site visits for client collaboration, measuring and contractor coordination.

  • Correspond with vendors in person and online; shop the Merchandise Mart showrooms for fabric options, furniture and lighting.

  • Research options for products, compile specifications, provide designer pricing, track delivery schedule and style products on-site.

Showroom Sales Associate, Chicago Luxury Beds, Chicago

  • Gained hands on experience as a contracted sales representative for MP & Associates from December 2009 - April 2011. My primary focus was on showroom sales for multiple luxury furniture brands; represented imported hand made mattresses from England (Vi-Spring) and Sweden (Hastens).

  • Emphasis on qualifying, product presentation, recommendation, order placement and service; Sold over $450K of product and accessories; Attended product training in New York, London and Stockholm.

  • Assisted in organizing marketing events for the Architecture and Design community.

Architectural Solutions Interior Designer | Project Manager, Henricksen Inc., Chicago

  • Hired in 2007 to design, project manage and provide technical support for a multi-million dollar modular sustainable wall (DIRTT) dealership; Clients included HSBC, Mettawa Headquarters, Froedtert Hospital, Milwaukee, The Art Institute of Chicago.

  • Trained a new department of five designers and developed procedures to meet deadlines; focused on clients’ environmental and aesthetic goals until department downsizing in 2009.

Professional Services | Design Project Manager, Desks Inc., Chicago

  • Hired in 2005 after completing two years of formal training in interior design and AutoCAD. Asked by DIRTT modular wall manufacturer to be the first designer/project manager in a dealership to manage $2.5 million of product and installation for the client, Exelon. Our team transformed 10 floors of offices using over 7,000 lineal feet of DIRTT sustainable walls. The project won LEED Platinum CI status – at the time the largest commercial office space in the world to achieve such a feat.

  • Responsible for design and specification of mainly, Knoll furniture projects for commercial clients. I was highly proficient in AutoCad and various specification software programs; worked successfully for two years, before recruited by competing DIRTT dealership in 2007.

ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT & PROJECT MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE:

Facilities Project Manager, Coolsavings.com Inc., Chicago

  • Responsible for coordination of general contractors, architects, movers, IT consultants and contract furniture dealers; worked closely with the landlord of a TIF modernization building project at Michigan and Wacker; reported directly to the CFO; Negotiated with vendors, including network, phone, office supplies and equipment and investigated cost saving initiatives for company.

  • Planned company-wide team building events for clients and employees.

  • Successfully managed office space build-out projects and relocation projects in multiple locations including San Francisco, New York and Chicago with my superb organizational skills to develop moving plans, swing spaces and positive communication practices to ensure employees achieved maximum productivity.

  • All departments were downsized after design/build projects were completed in 2001. At the time I was asked to join a women minority owned Steelcase office furniture dealership. I was trained as a sales executive for a year before attending Harrington College of Design from 2002 -2004.

Assistant to Vice President of Project Management, American Medical Design Corporation, Chicago

  • Hired full time for two years to assist VP with various administrative tasks, while communicating effectively with outside contractors, vendors, architects, legal counsel, city officials and consultants.

  • Developed a process to generate up-to-the-day project status reports (cost control logs) in Excel to manage scope, schedules and budgets of $60 million and up for multiple healthcare facilities. Tracked building costs and maintained records for up to twelve separate projects for two executives.

PROFESSIONAL & VOLUNTEER INVOLVEMENT:

Member of the Peterson Garden Project, 10 years, Chicago

Art Instructor, Centered for Independent Futures, Evanston, served 4 years

Teen Group Volunteer, Children’s Memorial Hospital, Chicago, served 2 years

Member, Women's Business Development Center, Chicago

Marketing Internship, 2003-2004: Real Estate Sales Assistant, Garrison Partners, Chicago

Volunteer, After School Matters / Gallery 37, Chicago

Raven Theatre Project Volunteer, Arts & Business Council, Chicago

Reading and Math Tutor, Career Works Academy Charter High School, Chicago

Amy L. Wojtas

773-551-3105

Amy@CreativeAmes.com

“Amy’s top five strengths are: 
1.  Empathizer: great at noticing how others feel and using this understanding to do something good. 
2. Believer: driven by the core higher values that cannot be compromised at expense of the success. 
3.  Philomath: is in love with learning - exploring many interests, following new paths, learning as many things as possible. 
4.  Brainstormer: generates new no-limits ideas and can to connect the seemingly unconnectable. 
5. Coach: enjoys discovering the potential in other people and supporting their personal growth. ”

— www.high5test.com