Tonya Wise

Tonya Wise is a painter and photographer who has recently returned to Birmingham, AL after a fourteen year stint in Los Angeles. While living in LA, Ms. Wise worked as a celebrity photographer where she photographed many red carpet events including backstage at the Emmys for 4 years in a row. Although Tonya enjoyed the excitement of Los Angeles, she eventually became homesick for the charms of the South. She yearned to pursue art and photography in a more creative manner than what event photography could offer. As a UAB graduate, Tonya is excited to be teaching art classes associated with her alma mater via ArtPlay. She loves working with children and delights in unveiling the magic of young creative minds. She believes in the importance of encouraging each child’s personal vision based on Einstein’s adage that, “The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination!”