ANGIE OKO
multimedia artist
Curvy, self loving woman who got a phd, pole dances, paints, and does stained glass as a way to empower herself and others
Who is Angie
(she/her)
Angie is a woman, neuroscientist, watercolor painter, and stained glass artist. She hold nationalities from France and the USA, with Italian, French and Spanish heritage. Angie is bilingual (English & French) and is fluent in Spanish since she lived in Barcelona for 6 years doing her PhD.
Angie's true passion is teaching, mentorship and building community. She loves guiding her students along their paths whether scientific or artistic. Seeing them grow and develop into their authentic selves through creative expression is what fills her soul.
Angie dedicated 18 years of her career to science. She was a professor at UCSF teaching neuroscience for 4 years before opening her art studio. After much consideration, she decided to fully dedicate herself to art. Angie was first trained in stained glass by Dan Gamaldi from Cradle of the Sun. She joined Nzilani Conservation Studio under the direction of Armelle Le Roux where she contributed to the restoration of Glide Memorial's Rose Window among several other projects. Learning from a professional studio was invaluable. Angie is now not only working in her own studio but is also working for Theodore Ellison Designs generating new custom windows.
In Angie’s studio, she teaches one day workshops, private team building events, weekly classes/studio rental, and also performs restorations and new commissions. Finally, Angie has created OKO Designs on wheels where she comes to your place of work or residence to host the workshop. Her number one offsite client is the Winchester Mystery house where she teaches monthly workshops throughout the year.
A Message From Angie
I want to communicate through my artwork that everything is possible and no matter what you do or what you look like, you are worthy of love and acceptance. There is taboo around pole dancing and also around being on the heavier side. This is all created by a society which wants to make us insecure, since insecure people consume more products to fill that societal soul hole we all inevitably have. We need to remember that everything is possible. We are all human, we can all learn. Little by little. I acknowledge that since we live in a white supremacist world, life is designed around white people, and that People of Color have to work 3 times as hard for the same thing. It's clear that some people are more privileged than others. However, it is still possible. If you put your mind to something and believe in your worth you will achieve what you want to achieve. Only YOU know your worth. It is up to you to emit that positive energy and make people around you understand that worth and value it and set boundaries to protect your peace.
The studio space is a safe space where we empower women and non-binary folks from all backgrounds. Women and non-binary folks are never usually taught how to use power tools or heavy machinery and the use of such machines are typically mansplained by men in the field. At OKO Designs we do everything ourselves, from creating stained glass windows, to woodworking, to metalwork and more. We use scary machines safely and boost confidence and knowledge. Here you will be the owner of your own knowledge.
That being said, we have a zero-tolerance policy of racism, homophobia, sexism and bullying.
At OKO Designs we are committed to creating spaces that are open, friendly, respectful and safe for everyone regardless of race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, gender, class, ability, or religion. By attending our events you agree to our code of conduct policy.
None of my weekly students had ever done stained glass before (maybe just one or two). Everything you see they have created is possible to make. I will guide you to independence and teach you everything I know. Nothing is impossible!
Believe in yourself and value your worth