( Who are we? )

Meet the team

Natalie Chan, founder of Bat Haus in Brooklyn, smiling while holding a bouquet of flowers in front of a vintage glass-paneled window
Natalie Chan instructing a female participant arranging flowers in a corporate team floral arrangement workshop.
Natalie Chan performing a sound bath with crystal singing bowls in a softly lit space, demonstrating her sound healing practice at Guggenheim museum.

Natalie Chan, FOUNDER

I landed in this country alone 22 years ago, and built Bat Haus with my two hands and a stubborn dream. Since then this space has welcomed thousands of New Yorkers—every culture, faith, and perspective—untied by one reason: sharing joy with people we love.

Along the way, I became a sound healer and a floral artist. For the past five years, I’ve led sound baths for teams at Google, Audible, and the Guggenheim Museum, and taught floral arrangement workshops that invite people to slow down and reconnect through color, scent, and touch.

When I’m not at Bat Haus, you’ll usually find me dancing Argentine tango in Manhattan or practicing Ashtanga yoga. If you ever have questions or want to collaborate, I’d love to hear from you.

How We Got Our Name

Before the pandemic, Bat Haus lived in its original home in Bushwick. The space had a mezzanine that reminded my former business partner of his uncle’s bat “houses” in Rhode Island—small, cozy structures where bats would roost.

When we tried to name the business Bat House, we found out the name was already taken by a company that makes real bat shelters. So we went with the German spelling—Haus—and it stuck.

Front entrance of Bat Haus in Brooklyn featuring its black door, glass-block wall, hanging sign, and flower planters — as seen on the About page
Joel, host of Drink n’ Draw at Bat Haus in Brooklyn, NYC, posing outdoors with palm trees and an urban backdrop

Joel Morrison, Drink n’ Draw Host

  • Meet Joel Morrison: The Drink n’ Draw Guru

    Joel Morrison is an artist who has been hosting a weekly figure drawing session in Brooklyn, NY, since 2010. When not creating art, Joel works in international art event operations, bringing his organizational expertise and creativity to large-scale events worldwide.

    Coordinating these weekly figure drawing sessions is a passion for Joel. He sees them as a refreshing alternative in NYC’s vibrant cultural scene—offering a unique space where participants can tap into their creative side while enjoying a relaxed, social atmosphere outside the usual city routines.

    Joel finds great fulfillment in fostering a community of artists, models, and venues like Bat Haus, which he views as integral to the rich and diverse fabric that makes NYC so unique and inspiring.

  • To apply for a figure model position at Drink n’ Draw, please email Joel at rungunnerrun@gmail.com with your modeling experience and headshots.

Italo, assistant for Drink n’ Draw at Bat Haus in Brooklyn, NYC, smiling confidently in a creative studio space with vibrant artwork and framed pieces in the background.

Italo, Drink n’ Draw Assitant

  • Hi, I’m Italo, an Ecuadorian who’s spent most of my life in NYC. I studied Fine Arts at LaGuardia Community College and Graphic Design at Queens College. Currently, I work as a designer for a non-profit in Queens and have experience teaching graphic design.

    I enjoy discovering new music, swimming weekly, tackling DIY projects (even when they don’t always go as planned), and biking to work—except on rainy or snowy days, of course. Oh, and I’m a confessed coffee addict!

    I believe that when strangers meet, they’re no longer strangers but acquaintances, with the potential to become friends.

  • To apply for a figure model position at Drink n’ Draw, please email Joel at rungunnerrun@gmail.com with your modeling experience and headshots.

Drink n' draw assistant Anna at Bat Haus

Anna, Drink n’ Draw Assistant

  • Hi, I’m Anna—a painter and sign artist with a studio in Ridgewood, Queens. I graduated with a B.A. in Art History from Bowdoin College in 2008.  After graduation, I moved back to NYC to pursue figure drawing, studying intermittently at the New York Studio School and the Arts Students League. I started working at Trader Joe’s in 2008 as well, which has allowed me the flexibility and support for a career in the arts. 

    My first career was actually in environmental science. I spent my teens in wilderness leadership and environmental protection, working for the NYC Parks Department and Students Conservation Association (Virginia.)  This experience shaped how I approach the Visual Arts. I believe that community and mentorship are two pillars of a sustainable art practice. I currently belong to and volunteer for the East Williamsburg CSA at the nearby Red Shed community garden.  

    I started going to Drink and Draw to build community and joined the Bat Haus team in 2022. I appreciate being part of an event that provides artists with connection. In addition to Drink and Draw, I have worked as a photographer’s assistant, program coordinator for a non-profit, care-giver/tutor for kids on the autism spectrum, and grant writer among others. All these spaces have grown my skill set and allowed me to give back. My motto is that “it’s cool to care.” I believe that life is about synchronicity and we should all live it kindly. 

    In addition to the arts, I am an avid music lover, swimmer, yogi, and foodie. I’m a bit of a workaholic but recently have been slowing down to enjoy the quieter moments of life. Sipping a cool beer and giving my mind time to wander is an excellent way to spend a Wednesday night. I hope to see you at our next Drink and Draw. 

  • To contact Anna, please email her at annakosovsky@gmail.com