Meet Denise

Denise Milito is an artist, educator, and creativity coach helping people turn imagination into action from her studio in New York’s Finger Lakes region.

Denise is best known for her bold, textural mosaic installations and her belief that art can transform both spaces and people. Her work explores themes of resilience, connection, and the beauty of everyday materials brought to life through color and pattern.

She has designed and fabricated large-scale public and private works for clients including the American Red Cross, the Mackinac Arts Council, and numerous homes, schools and community spaces across the U.S.

Through her studio, Studio Manifest, Denise creates custom mosaics, one-of-a-kind, hand-crocheted hats (Love Helmets) and teaches immersive workshops—inviting students to explore creativity as both a craft and a catalyst for personal growth.

An entrepreneur at heart, Denise launched her first business at Chicago’s Navy Pier, transforming a $5,000 investment into nearly half a million dollars in its first year. Her career has since spanned art, education, and social enterprise—always centered on creativity as a force for empowerment and change.