About me
Nice to meet you! My name is Tracee Joy Wann.
My mom used to tell me that I was aptly named, because Joy is exactly what I bring to everyone around me.
How did I get started?
As an only child, my Mom was my best friend. She owned a Guinness-worthy collection of koalas. Not just figurines either - towels, aprons, jewelry, art, a swimsuit, comforters, puzzles, lamps, notebooks, sunglasses, pens, purses, pillows, tote bags... pretty much everything they make had a version with koalas on it. When holidays came around, it was rather difficult to find one that she didn't already have, and that's when I began painting and creating.
Happy Everything wreaths
The evolution of my creativity
Family and friends were the first of many to notice my talents, and began hiring me for their personal events, expanding the exposure of my capabilities. I was very fortunate that word of mouth spread throughout Southern California and I was getting inquiries on a continuous basis.
Once I had children I devised some truly amazing birthday parties. Parents of kids talk, and soon I was painting giant school logos on handball courts and photo booth props for school dances and events.
I made my kids’ Halloween costumes, wrote poetry, conceived scavenger hunts and treasure hunts, wrote wedding vows for people, hand drew coloring pages and posters, built cardboard playhouses, made handmade gifts and home decor. If someone needed something that required imagination or innovation, they called on me.
Major theme parks and attractions I have worked on
In the early 1990’s I started working for Buena Park, California’s Knott’s Scary Farm’s Halloween Haunt, in the Auto Race Maze, then moved to the Calico Mine Ride. Every fall, Castle Park in Riverside California transformed into Castle Dark, where I helped design some of their mazes and scare zones. Storm Stadium in Lake Elsinore California has a yearly Halloween attraction featuring about 5 mazes and 2 scare zones which I worked on as well. I contributed to the planning and designing of Halloween mazes at Dos Lagos in Temescal Valley.
April 2026 Easter egg hunt at the country club
Currently
I am working with the Lake Las Vegas Sports Club planning their monthly family events and decorating for each holiday. I just finished 7 golf carts for the Lake Las Vegas marketing team. I’ve been commissioned by several local businesses to enhance some preexisting displays. I continue creating props, distressing furniture and home decor, fabricating custom gifts, and writing two books I hope to publish this year.
AWARDS
I have won 3 neighborhood decorating contests and featured on a popular you tuber's channel for my home haunt I was also bestowed a $100 check from a local home magazine
Most recently I have won the past 4 golf cart decorating contests in Lake Las Vegas. For the 4th of July 2025, I won over $100 in gift cards; for Halloween 2025 I won a trophy and $1,000; The Christmas parade 2025 I won $500 and a trophy; and for St. Patrick's Day 2026 i won another $500 plus a 6’ trophy!
What's next?
I am always on the hunt for my next big project, eager to meet up with my next team.
Why I do what I do
Building, painting, and creating makes me truly happy, especially when I see others enjoying what I have made. It is in those moments when someone smiles, interacts or becomes immersed in something I've brought to life that the work feels most meaningful. Each piece I create is more than just an object. It's an experience designed to spark curiosity, evoke emotion, and leave a lasting impression. I'm driven by the process as much as the final result, transforming raw materials into something unexpected solving creative challenges and pushing ideas further than they started. Whether it's a whimsical prop, a detailed piece, or an interactive installation I approach every project with intention, craftsmanship, and a deep appreciation for storytelling telling.
Creating allows me to connect with people in a unique way, bridging imagination with reality and turning visions into something tangible that others can step into, explore, and enjoy. That connection, between concept, creation, and audience is what continues to inspire me every day
