Staff
Reem Bassous | Executive Artistic Director
Reem Bassous received her BA from The Lebanese American University and her MFA from The George Washington University. She started teaching drawing and painting in 2001 at The George Washington University, taught at the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa for 9 years, and at Leeward Community College at the University of Hawaiʻi for 7 years. Bassous continues her journey in education as Artistic Director and Head of Faculty at the Washington Studio School, as of the fall of 2023. Bassous’ regional and national exhibitions include solo shows at the Honolulu Museum of Art, SBCAST Gallery in Santa Barbara, and the Washington Studio School Gallery, in Washington DC. Her work has been reviewed by various publications which include the Washington Post, Art Asia Pacific and Star Advertiser. Bassous’ work is in permanent collections which include the Honolulu Museum of Art and Shangri La Museum for Islamic Art, Culture and Design.
Contact: Reem@washingtonstudioschool.org
Sheba Amante | Operations Manager
Sheba initially worked with the Washington Studio School for over ten years as a figure model before joining the WSS administrative team. As the Operations Manager, she provides essential support in day-to-day operations and coordinates model bookings for faculty members. When she is not engaged in her duties with Washington Studio School, she pursues creative work as a photographer and continues to be an active member of the DC Art Model Collective.
Ashley Williams | Communications Manager
Ashley Williams brings a dynamic blend of communications, development, and creative expertise to her role as Communications and Development Manager at Washington Studio School. With a background in marketing, graphic design, and event coordination from roles at WILD DAYS, Allegory, The Fillmore and The Howard Theatre, she crafts compelling campaigns that enhance engagement and donor outreach. Her experience in visual arts, hospitality, and arts administration uniquely positions her to foster community connections, drive fundraising initiatives, and elevate the school’s mission through strategic storytelling and digital engagement.
Andrea Fort | Administrative Coordinator
Andrea brings a multicultural voice and professional experience as a communications and administrative professional in the arts and beyond. Andrea obtained a BA in Anthropology from DePaul University in Chicago and her Master’s at IAE Poitiers in France. Raised as a Peruvian-American with French roots, her worldly experience has been instrumental in assisting cultural exchanges, mediation, and establishing arts-partnerships for various entities in the U.S. and abroad. Proudly based in D.C. since 2017, Andrea began her artistic practice as Rebel Leona in 2023 and recently acquired a studio at Red Dirt Studio in Mt.Rainier, Maryland. Fueled by experiential learning and curiosity, she is proudly a WSS Foundations Certificate student since 2024.