Robin Hartmann

Art Teacher

Robin Hartmann has brought her creativity and enthusiasm to The New School Montessori’s elementary art program since 1996. The projects she designs allow children to work with a variety of media and often they reflect the work of famous artists such as Picasso or Keith Haring. TNSM auction always features unique items such as quilts and painted furniture made by students under Robin’s direction. Her presentations to other art educators at the Cincinnati Art Museum have incorporated Native American artifacts, whimsical shoes and other work by TNSM students.

After receiving her bachelor of fine arts degree from the Pratt Institute in New York City, Robin designed and built costumes on Broadway for shows such as The Whiz, Pippin and A Chorus Line.  She then went to work for Jim Henson creating puppets, costumes and props for Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock and numerous Muppet movies and TV specials.  After a stint in the wardrobe department of  Saturday Night Live, Robin moved to Cincinnati to design toys for Kenner Products.  Her art, puppets and  costumes can be seen at The Cincinnati Museum Center, The Dallas Children’s Museum and the Smithsonian Institute.

Outside of TNSM, Robin continues to work as a freelance toy designer and can also be found at her husband’s gym Crossfit Cincinnati at Das Gym, located in Silverton. She still enjoys making puppets and is a member of the Cincinnati Puppetry Guild. She lives with her husband, Rainer, their son Rory (2005 TNSM graduate), and their daughter Leah (current TNSM student).