Creative Workshop Faculty

Carol Acquilano
Landscape Painting

Carol is a an accomplished working artist who graduated from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and has served as artist-in-residence at U. of Georgia’s program in Cortona, Italy and at the Art Complex Museum, Duxbury, MA. Her work is included in such collections as Harvard University Art Museums, Boston Public Library and the Memorial Art Gallery. A staff member at MAG and a board member of the Print Club of Rochester, Carol also teaches printmaking, artist’s books, and drawing at RIT and Empire State College and at her studio in Anderson Alley. http://www.carolacquilano.com

RACHAEL BALDANZA
Managing Director, Drawing, Art Appreciation

Rachael has been a member of the Creative Workshop administrative team since 2004. Trained as an art historian and art educator specializing in 20th-century American art, she has long been interested in the ways in which artists build communities.

Rachael earned an MA in museum studies and art history from Rutgers University and trained as an artist at Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute’s School of Art. As an historian, curator and writer, she has helped bring Hugh P. Botts work to view at MAG; co-curated the All Small Redux exhibit at Agnes Scott College's Dalton Gallery in 2009; and previously taught at Nazareth College and the High Museum of Art, Atlanta.

As an artist, Rachael’s paper dolls won Best in Show at the Public Market’s Artist Row, 2008. She has held a residency at the Vermont Studio Center and in 2006 participated in a session on Craft and Social Conscience at Penland School of Crafts. Her paper dolls are for sale at the Gallery Store.

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SUE BARNES
Ceramics

A teacher of all levels for more than 15 years, Sue remembers taking her first pottery class at the MAG as a high school student.

Sue earned a BA at SUNY Brockport with a BA in therapeutic recreation and a minor in ceramics. She is an active studio potter who has taught at Genesee Pottery, RMSC, ArtsReach, and Tom or Nick’s Ceramics, as well as on the road at many different sites with children. Her classes focus on skill development, creativity and finding one’s way with clay.

Sue is proud to be involved with Empty Bowls Rochester, which is a way local potters help the homeless in their own community. Visit www.emptybowlsroc.org for more info!

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PHYLLIS BRYCE-ELY
Painting

Phyllis has taught at the Creative Workshop since 2006. She is primarily a landscape painter who works en plein air and passes along to her students her passion and enthusiasm for painting and the outdoors.

Phyllis earned a BA in painting/fine arts at the Rochester Institute of Technology. She is featured in corporate and private collections and has been represented by the Oxford Gallery since the 1980s.

Phyllis also teaches at the Cascade Art Center, Rochester Art Supply. Her paintings are for sale at the Gallery Store. For more information and to see more art, see http://www.curlingart.com/ (Phyllis is an avid curler as well as an artist).

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ALICE CHEN
Painting

Alice has taught Asian Brush Painting at the Creative Workshop since 2000. She teaches traditional Asian techniques and philosophy combined with an emphasis on individual interests to help each student cultivate a distinctive style.

Before becoming a professional artist in Asian brush painting and calligraphy almost two decades ago, Alice studied horticulture and mycology (mushrooms and other fungi) at Imperial College of London and other schools. Following her scientific education, She went through the rigorous training system for artists in traditional Chinese brush painting. She was taught by prominent masters such as Professor Su Fung-nan and Professor Wu Cheng-Yen.

In her own work Alice aims to go beyond realism, intending to paint the total sensitivity, quality and vision of her experience. She often blends ideas from the East and West, always with humor and joy.

Alice's paintings can be viewed at Gallery 821 at Schoen Place in Pittsford and at Olde Country Picture Framers in Canandaigua. In 2010, She will have an exhibition of her work at Allegheny College in Pennsylvania and participate again in the Bonsai National exhibition. See www.alicechengallery.com for more information.

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LORI COOLEY
Jewelry

Lori has taught jewelry at the Creative Workshop since 1987. Two of her distinctive, artistic jewelry pieces can be seen in the 62nd Rochester-Finger Lakes Exhibition, Rochester’s oldest and most prestigious juried show, on view at MAG until October 4.

Lori earned a BFA in jewelry and metalsmithing at RIT and certification in art education for grades K-12 at Nazareth College. She has also exhibited at RIT’s Dyer Gallery; Craft Art of Western NY, Buffalo; Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center, Auburn; Etienne Gallery, Maine; and Downey Museum of Art, CA. Her jewelry was published in The Art and Craft of Making Jewelry (2006).

Lori’s work is available in the Gallery Store and online at www.lorainecooley.com.

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YVONNE CUPOLO
Jewelry

Yvonne has taught jewelry at the Creative Workshop since 1981. She loves teaching beginners and often starts students out with simple projects they can infuse with their own creativity. Her own work is built upon years of careful observation, good drawing and excellent craftsmanship.

Yvonne's commissioned enamels of beloved pets, including her cloisonnés of dogs, are tiny masterpieces. She has exhibited in galleries in Rochester, NYC, Seattle and San Diego; at the Enamellist Society Annual Shows, Wichita; and at the Museum of the Dog in St. Louis.

See How to Make an Enamel Pendant from the Creative Workshop's 2008 Process Show.

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EDDIE DAVIS III
Drawing, Children’s Art

Eddie has taught at the Creative Workshop since 1996, most recently drawing and design classes for kids and teens.

Eddie earned a BFA in industrial design at Rhode Island School of Design and an MFA in sculpture at Rochester Institute of Technology. He served as assistant professor of industrial design in RIT’s College of Imaging Arts & Sciences from 2004-08.

As a clothing designer, Eddie is CEO and founder of Armored Personnel Carrier Clothing Company www.apcgear.com.

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LINDA DELMONTE
Ceramics Instructor, Children’s Art

Linda has been a children’s clay teacher at the Creative Workshop since 1987 and remembers taking clay classes here when she was six.

Linda went to Nazareth College, then came back to the Workshop to teach. Her work is in private collections in England, Germany and Israel and was presented to delegates from Rochester’s Sister City of Hamamatsu, Japan. She has shown at the MAG’s Clothesline Festival and the Corn Hill Festival.

Linda regularly brings back magic ideas from her travels to share with her students.

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LUCY DURKIN
Art History/Art Appreciation

Lucy Winters Durkin is a longtime art history instructor whose interests range from early Renaissance frescoes to contemporary Japanese works on paper. Her presentations blend formal analysis with other disciplines including music, literature, religion, philosophy, science and political history.

Lucy’s formal training began with a BA in European history at Smith College, followed by a Master’s degree in art history at Williams College. While at Williams, she curated several exhibitions, including a highly successful show on John James Audubon at the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute.

Lucy has taught a broad selection of courses at MAG, and also taught at the Eastman School of Music 1996-2004. Other teaching and lecturing has taken her from Cornell University and the Providence (RI) Atheneum to the National Museum of American Wildlife in Jackson Hole, WY. She also works with a number of musical performers and groups, choreographing visual images to illuminate works of music. These performances have been well-received not only in Rochester, but also in San Antonio, Utica and New York City.

While living in Tokyo, Japan from 2004 to 2007, Lucy became deeply involved in presenting the premiere exhibition and sale of contemporary Japanese works of art on paper at the highly-respected CWAJ Print Show. Her work there culminated in her serving as co-chair of the 52nd annual show in 2007.

Lucy talks about art in a factually precise but conversational tone, stripped of unnecessary jargon. She believes that while art can be appreciated solely for its intrinsic qualities, understanding the cultural context surrounding its creation can enrich our understanding of an object. To this end, her presentations offer a blend of formal analysis mingled with other disciplines—music, literature, religion, philosophy and science, as well as political history—all geared to exploring art as it has related to people through time.  

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MARILYN FEINBERG
Drawing, Painting

Marilyn has taught drawing at the Creative Workshop since 1995. She focuses on the fundamentals: how to draw, how to see, and how to connect through art.

Marilyn earned her MFA from RIT and her BS from Michigan State University. She has exhibited at Sonnenberg Gardens, Canandaigua; Center at High Falls, Rochester; Kornbluth Gallery, NJ; Burchfield-Penney Center, Buffalo; RIT; in several MAG Rochester-Finger Lakes Exhibitions; and at the Rochester Fine Art Store's Invitational for 2008 and 2009.

Marilyn received both juror's awards and merit awards the last two years in the Pittsford Art Group and in the Genesee Valley Plein Air Painters. Other awards include Basketry Focus, Ottawa; Westmoreland Art Nationals, Latrobe, PA; Baltimore American Craft Council; and the Bausch & Lomb Commission Award.

As Marilyn told us, "Each session I focus on a fundamental of drawing that is usually presented first through demonstration. Then we look at this fundamental in artwork from the past or in our collection. I then present an exercise that allows each student to explore this concept while they simultaneously build critical seeing and drawing skills. Knowledge is further deepened by sharing their process and findings with others. Individual views and discoveries are welcomed."

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ALICIA FINK
Jewelry, Precious Metal Clay

Alicia has been a teacher in the Creative Workshop since 2004. She is certified by the Precious Metal Clay Guild and PMC Connection and retired from 25 years as an educator. Her love of PMC and teaching result in the artful production of jewelry by the students in her classes.

Alicia’s jewelry is for sale at the Gallery Store. For more information about her artwork visit www.aliciafink.com

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JULIE FLISNIK
Ceramics, Children’s Art

Julie has taught at the Creative Workshop since 2002. She earned her BA at Suny Geneseo, and her masters in art education at Nazareth College. An art teacher at Rush-Henrietta High School Since 1995. she did post-masters study at Bennington College, Columbus College of Art & Design and Manhattanville College.

Julie is an artistic “jack-of-all-trades” focusing most recently on ceramics.

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JESSICA FURBER
Ceramics, Children’s Art

Jessica has taught children and teen clay classes at the Creative Workshop since 2007. Her classroom promotes creativity and learning through the exciting world of clay.

Jessica earned her BS and MS in art education from Nazareth College. She has taught at all grade levels and currently teaches high school ceramics, photography and creative crafts in Penn Yan. She encourages her students to get their hands in the clay and create their best work.

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HEATHER GARRAND
Children’s Art

Heather has taught (primarily young children) at the Creative Workshop since 2005. She uses artworks from the Gallery’s permanent collection to encourage projects in variety of media and to keep her students excited.

Heather earned a BFA in art education from Alfred University, with minors in education and art history. She has worked as a teacher’s assistant, a teacher and in the Workshop office. She has taught all ages who simply adore "Miss Heather" and her colorful, creative projects.

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ALICE GOLD
Drawing, Painting

Alice has taught drawing, painting and printmaking at the Creative Workshop since 1984. She emphasizes a welcoming environment where students feel comfortable and eager to learn.

Alice attended Pratt Institute and earned a BA through Brooklyn College and an MS from SUNY Brockport. She has exhibited at the Gallery's Rochester-Finger Lakes Exhibition; University of Rochester's Hartnett Gallery; the American Association of University Women, Rochester; Skidmore College; and Rice Gallery, Albany.

Her paintings and prints have been selected for a MAG Patron Print commission, RPO Patron Print commission and WXXI Showcase Award. She has been awarded Best of Show in exhibitions of the Rochester Art Club, as well as fellowships to Skidmore College for painting and printmaking.

Alice has taught at RIT and in the East Rochester and Brighton school districts. She is a past president of the Rochester Art Club and a member of numerous art groups.

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PAUL HARP
Ceramics Instructor/ Ceramics Technician

Paul has taught teen and adult clay classes at the Creative Workshop since 2003 and has served since 2007 as ceramics technician (a role in which he is responsible for firing all work in the clay classes). He orchestrates enjoyable, high-energy classes for beginners and continuing students in clay and enjoys supporting other teachers.

After earning a BA in art education from Buffalo State College, Paul developed his throwing skills while working as a production potter. His own line of functional stoneware and raku is represented locally by Craft Company No. 6. His work has been feautured in Rochester Magazine and the Democrat and Chronicle.

Paul was previously employed as an instructor/ceramic technician for the University of Buffalo, where he first began to enjoy sharing his knowledge, technical skills and enthusiasm for working in clay with others.

In 2008, Paul was chosen as a teaching artist for the Side by Side project in which he collaborated with student Patrick Warren. Their artwork is on view in the Creative Workshop Faculty Show until October 9 and online at http://www.vsartsnys.org/images/Harp_Warren.pdf

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SARAH HART
Drawing, Painting

Sarah has taught at the Creative Workshop since 2007. She earned a BFA from Meredith College, Raleigh, NC, and studied oil painting and drawing in Paris with fresco painter Ben Long IV, focusing on portraits, the figure and landscapes. Her post-graduate studies include the Jeffrey Mims Studio in Southern Pines, NC, with an emphasis on the figure outdoors and portraiture. She capped her formal art education with an intensive study of classical oil painting methods for figure and portraiture at Cecil Studios in Florence, Italy. "I still consider myself very much a student," says Sarah, "studying the masters and trying to learn how they worked."

Sarah and her husband, Benton, own and operate a bicycle adverture travel company called Classic Adventures. With their three children, they live in an historic home in the village of Brockport.

In 2008, Sarah completed a copy of the Rembrandt portrait in the Gallery’s collection. View notes from that experiment.

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FARUK KAIYUM
Jewelry

Faruk has taught at the Creative Workshop since 2006. He is a patient instructor who believes in careful craftsmanship, safety first, and design that matches the person who made (or will wear) a piece of jewelry.

Faruk earned an MFA in metalsmithing at Rochester Institute of Technology and a BA in general design from the State University College at Buffalo. He has over 33 years of experience as a jeweler. As owner, designer and operator of Kaiyum Gallery in Village Gate, he specializes in custom jewelry design and fabrication. Recently, Faruk was featured in an About Town magazine profile.

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DICK KANE
Painting
currently on leave; returning in winter 2010

Dick has taught painting at the Creative Workshop since 2000. His paintings and teaching style are well known for their energy and excitement.

Dick studied at RIT with Ralph Avery and others and has exhibited extensively. One of his commissions is at Barnes & Noble–Pittsford. He has been an active member of the Rochester Art Club, Manhattan Art Group and Tuesday Artists Breakfast Group. He serves as art advisor to Town of Brighton.

Dick has taught painting for 35 years, with landscape closest to his heart. He encourages students to observe, see shapes and paint the whole. He works one-on-one with his students and delights as they show their own work in student and local shows, often with accolades.

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CAROL KASE
Children’s Art

Carol has taught at the Creative Workshop since 2008. She enjoys taking her students to the Gallery frequently to spark their curiosity and enthusiasm.

Carol has been a member of the Gallery Council since 2004, where she is chair of the Travel Committee, which plans exciting art tours/trips. This is a perfect combination of her interest in art and travel.

She tells us “the best part about teaching at the MAG is the students—their curiosity, enthusiasm and excitement at discovering new ways to create and gain confidence in their artistic abilities." A favorite memory is from a summer class she taught to four- to six-year-olds. After exploring MAG's outdoor penguin sculpture and large bird sculptures from a special exhibit, students created their own "magical birds" sculptures. Carol temporarily displayed the birds outdoors around the penguin sculpture, and invited the parents to find their children's birds. The children and parents had a wonderful time sharing this art experience.

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JOHN KASTNER
Children’s Art, Drawing

John has taught at the Creative Workshop since 1968. He has also taught at RIT and Finger Lakes Community College, as an artist-in-residence for the Rochester City School District, and at the Aesthetic Education Institute and the Monroe County Library System.

John earned a BFA in Illustration at RIT. His creativity and skill as an instructor and as an artist is well known and can be seen in books, commercial illustrations and murals around Rochester. He has illustrated Lollipop Grapes and Clothespin Critters and Martin Luther King Jr., a Biography for Young Children. On a regular basis, he creates portraits of the performing artists for Heartland Concerts.

John's commercial illustrations for Kodak, Xerox, GM, Scholastic, McGraw-Hill, Fisher-Price, Addison-Wesley, Scott Foresman, Silver Burdett Ginn, Harcourt Brace, and Cricket magazine have been seen around the world. Locally, his murals are on view at Rochester City Hall and the Strong Museum. His paintings were also featured in the Gallery's 2005 Rochester-Finger Lakes Exhibition.

On the web at www.cornflakeillustration.com & weeblax-uzzl.com.

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CODY KROLL
Sculpture, Drawing, Children’s Art

Cody has taught at the Creative Workshop since 2008. He is an accomplished sculptor and a dynamic instructor who has previously taught sculpture at Buffalo State College and art at the Rochester Prep charter school.

An accomplished sculptor and an engaging teacher, Cody earned his MFA in sculpture at the University of Buffalo and his BFA at Eastern Kentucky University. He has been an adjunct professor of sculpture at Buffalo State College and an art teacher at the Rochester Prep charter school.

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PEGGY LAHAIR-EDMUNDS
Business Director, Ceramics

Peggy is a member of the administrative team of the Creative Workshop, where she serves as Business Director.

Peggy earned her BS from Bowling Green State University and previously worked as the associate director and as a ceramics teacher at the Genesee Center for the Arts. She has taught outreach programs at Corpus Christi School, Right On School, Pride House and St. Joseph’s Villa.

Peggy's own work in ceramics tends to be carefully crafted, precise and beautiful.

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ABBY LAMMERS
Painting

Abby has been teaching painting at the Creative Workshop since 2001. She was recently recognized in the 20th anniversary issue of American Artist’s Watercolor as one of the top emerging watercolorists in the country.

Abby earned a BFA from Missouri State University and worked for many years in the advertising industry. Her work has been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions across the country and has won numerous awards. Publications which have featured her work include The Artist’s Magazine, Watercolor Magic and American Artist. She is represented by Copley Society of Art, Boston. To see samples, visit www.abbylammers.com.
 

Abby understands that drawing, value and color are all important elements for any artist to study, but composition is the key component for building a strong foundation. Being open to learning, disciplined in your approach and having an awareness of your surroundings makes for a more fulfilling experience in the studio and throughout your lifetime.

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CHRISTINA LAUREL
Drawing

New at the Workshop! Christina has taught creativity and colored pencil; worked as an art tutor with BOCES and a mentor in Heritage Christian Services’ pARTnership project; and been an art volunteer with Gilda’s Club of Rochester. She has exhibited drawings and collages in DC, California and South Carolina, as well as locally, where she received a Stephanie Aldersley Purchase Award in the Rochester Contemporary 2007 member exhibit.

Christina earned her BS in studio art from The College at Brockport SUNY. She is a member of the Arena Art Group.

She works as a sales associate in the Gallery Store, where her work is also available.

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SUE LINK
Art Day School Coordinator, Children’s Art

Sue has taught at the Creative Workshop since 2000 and served as Art Day School coordinator since 2008. She encourages thinking outside the box and using unique materials and innovative techniques that motivate students to explore and experiment. Her experience working with creative kids and her knowledge and excitement about art, lead to magical classes for kids ages 4 to 14.

Sue earned her BS from SUNY Brockport in interdisciplinary arts for children and sculpture and her MA from University of Arizona, Tucson. She has taught art at the preschool, elementary and high school levels. As Art Day School coordinator, she works each summer with dozens of talented artist-teachers and hundreds of creative children to handle all details of a highly successful art education "camp."

As an artist, she has been included in exhibitions at the Center at High Falls and Elizabeth Collection, Rochester; Rainbow Gallery, Brockport; and MUSE Gallery, Tucson.

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JEANNE LINDSAY
Painting

Jeanne has taught watercolor at the Creative Workshop since 1984. Her students return year after year for her constructive critiques, helpful advice and warm instruction.

Jeanne earned her BA from Empire State College (SUNY) and also studied at Duke University and RIT. Her works has been selected for such national juried exhibits as the National Arts Club Exhibition, NYC; the Watercolor USA Annual, Springfield Art Museum, Springfield, MO; the Kentucky Watercolor Society, Frankfort, KY (Purchase Award); the Watercolor Society; and the Salmagundi Club (twice), NYC. She has received more than 100 honors and awards including membership in Watercolor USA Honor Society. Her work has been featured three times in American Artist magazine. In Rochester, she is represented by Nan Miller Gallery.

Jeanne's work was featured in "Taking the Time to See," in "Round Rochester" by Will Yurman in the Democrat & Chronicle.

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FRED LIPP
Painting

Fred (aka Fritz) has taught Advanced Painting for more than 20 years at the Creative Workshop, where he has helped build a vibrant and supportive community of painters. Fred teaches painting as a visual adventure emphasizing careful observation while giving students thoughtful advice.

Fred earned an MFA at Rochester Institute of Technology and a BA at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He has had several solo exhibitions and numerous national group shows. His sculpture commissions are installed at RIT and Rochester General Hospital. His work is also in collections including the Memorial Art Gallery, Trenton State College, RIT and Marine Midland Bank. He is a retired professor at the RIT's College of Imaging Arts and Sciences.

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WARREN MIANECKE
Night Registrar, Children’s Art, Teen Drawing

Warren has taught at the Creative Workshop since 1992 and also serves as the night registrar. His classes emphasize a welcoming environment for creativity, discovery and laughter, often through drawing.

Warren holds a BA in art education from SUNY Geneseo and an AA in fine art from SUNY Farmingdale. He has designed and led grant-funded teacher training programs for early childhood art and reading and art workshops for children and parents at Barnes & Noble–Pittsford.

Warren writes that he “helps young artists continue to enrich their visual vocabulary so they may express their feelings and opinions and questions with honesty and pride through art. When working with preschoolers I strive to be mindful in my presentation of instructions, materials and support so that each child may engage joyfully in the creative process.”

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FURAHA MOYE
Framing

New to the Workshop! Furaha (also known as FrameDiva) has been a professional framer in Atlanta, New York City and now Rochester.

With more than 30 years of professional experience framing works by such artists as Jacob Lawrence and Ansel Adams, Furaha is passionate and knowledgeable about the practical and aesthetic considerations framers face.

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LISA MYERS
Children’s Art

Lisa has been a children’s art teacher at the Creative Workshop since 1998. Her enthusiasm and strong educational background contribute to a supportive and nurturing classroom environment.

Lisa has taught all ages and frequently brings students into the Gallery to find inspiration that fuels the work they make in the studio. She has partnered with the Gallery's education department to offer art training for teachers of small children.

Lisa earned a BS in art education from Nazareth College. She previously taught at Macedon Elementary and Bishop Kearney High School.

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DEJAN PEJOVIC
Sculpture, Drawing

Dejan has taught sculpture and drawing classes at the Creative Workshop since 1994 and remembers taking Workshop classes as a child. He addresses students’ individual needs and potential, with a focus on modes of observation.

Dejan earned a BFA from York University in Toronto and also studied at RIT, City and Guilds Art School in London, the Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia, and in Rome. His work has been included in exhibitions at RIT's Dyer Gallery; the Gallery's Rochester-Finger Lakes Exhibition; the Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center in Auburn; Il Ramo D’Oro in Naples, Italy; and Art on Parade in Northglenn, CO. He has had solo exhibitions at Roberts Wesleyan College; Mercer Gallery, MCC; the Arts and Cultural Council; the Library and Gallery, Cambride, ONT; and the Old Forge Art Center. He has created bronze commissions for the University of Rochester, the City of Rochester, Frontier Field and the Country Club of Rochester.

Dejan owns and operates a ceramic shell bronze foundry specializing in art work and architectural casting. He believes in addressing a student’s individual needs and potential rather than teaching a universal method or technique. His life classes focus on modes of observation, and his sculpture classes are oriented to facilitate student projects within a given medium.

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MAGGIE SCHEID
Metal Sculpture, Jewelry, Ceramics

Maggie has taught jewelry, clay and children’s classes at the Creative Workshop since 2000.

Maggie earned her MFA in sculpture and textiles from Rochester Institute of Technology and her BS in metalsmithing and jewelry design from State University College at Buffalo. She has exhibited nationally and internationally in juried shows and received awards for her work in Horses on Parade and the American Society for Metals. She has also been a guest artist/speaker at the International Iron Symposium in Latvia and at North Texas University in Denton, and has had her work published in Blade magazine.

She also teaches at RIT and MCC.

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MARLENE SEIDMAN
Digital Photography and Bookbinding

Marlene has taught bookmaking, alternative process photography and media art at Visual Studies Workshop, the University of Rochester and SUNY Brockport. Since 2008, her Creative Workshop courses have combined composition and artistic vision with the use of such new technology as digital cameras.

Marlene earned her MFA in visual studies at VSW/SUNY Brockport; and her M. Ed in creative arts in learning at Lesley University. Her mixed-media installations, books and photos have been exhibited internationally. She combines a commitment to teaching with her life as a working artist.

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G.A SHELLER
Painting

g.a. has taught painting at the Creative Workshop since 1983. She has toured the world as an artist and instructor—in France, Italy, Scotland and Ireland, as well as Rochester— aiming to help students, beginners to advanced, grow in their painting ability and learn to paint satisfying views of their world. Her own artwork is often a synthesis of painting and printmaking, featuring colorful interpretations of the landscape.

g.a. earned her BFA at the College of New Rochelle, with additional study at Penn State and Yale. She has been noted in Who's Who in American Art and as a Member of Excellence of the Atlanta Artists Center. Her paintings and prints have won awards at the Art Birmingham (MI) National, the Atlanta Artists Club and the Rochester Art Club, where she serves as a board member. She has been a visiting artist in the Pittsford and Irondequoit School Districts.

g.a. is represented by the Renaissance Gallery, Rochester; Pat Rini Rohrer Gallery, Canandaigua; and Kelly’s Fine Art, Alexandria, VA. Her work is included in the collections of Chase Bank, the Memorial Art Gallery, AG, Xerox Corporation, Eastman Kodak, IBM and Rochester General Hospital.

For more information see http://www.gasheller.com/about.htm

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LYNNE SHERWOOD
Fibers, Knitting

Lynne has taught knitting at the Creative Workshop since 2002.

Lynne often judges competitions and writes instructional manuals and sweater patterns. An expert knitter with skills in every style from the traditional to the trendy, Lynne teaches many advanced classes, but beginners are her very favorite.

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SARA SILVIO
Jewelry, Children’s Art

New at the Workshop! Sara brings a rich and unique perspective to the art of jewelry making. Since 1992 she has made and taught bead jewelry with a women’s cooperative in Ecuador, as manager and teacher at Baubles and Beads in the San Francisco area, and as a teacher and designer in New York City. She was recently featured in Insider magazine’s “Young Artist Spotlight.”

When teaching children and young teenagers beading processes, Sara also teaches mindfulness and patience, as well as being ok with making mistakes or not knowing something. In her classroom, students practice community by helping one another, taking turns, sharing ideas and accepting a different pace.

Sara’s own work is available at the Gallery Store and the Dado Boutique. Her specialties include intricate wirework, silk knotting and weaving of materials.

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MIMI SMITH
Fibers, Weaving, Children’s Art

Mimi has taught weaving across the area for more than 20 years, including at Rochester Museum & Science Center and the Weavers’ Guild. She has participated in seminars nationally and given workshops in Vancouver, St. Louis, Orlando, Cincinnati and Minneapolis. She learned to weave at the Creative Workshop when, for a brief time, the Weavers’ Guild was conducting adult classes.

Mimi enjoys experimenting with different weave structures and pushing the traditional techniques to new levels by exploring new designs, colors and textures. Weaving has opened new paths for her to other fiber fields such as dyeing and felting.

Mimi is a talented artist and a patient and persistent teacher. She finds teaching to be an exciting and challenging field—exciting to watch students expand and blossom in their new knowledge and challenging in encouraging those who experience difficulties to find new ways to reach the final result.

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DR. HANNAH SOLKY
Art Appreciation

Hannah has been a Gallery docent since 2004. To her Workshop classes she brings the unique perspective of her medical career as a pediatrician and psychiatrist, as well as her experience as a visual artist.

Hannah enjoys integrating art and literature with humanistic themes, often weaving poetry and mythology into her discussions.

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SHELLY GREEN STOLLER
Ceramics

Shelly has taught ceramics at the Creative Workshop since 1996. Her classes stress patience, process and a relaxed atmosphere. Her own wheel-thrown pottery (available at the Gallery Store) reflects the craftsmanship and aesthetics she teaches to students from absolute beginners to the most advanced.

Shelly studied at SUNY Cortland and RIT. She has taught workshops for NYS Art Teacher Association, and was previously a visiting instructor in the Rochester City School District. She has shown her work at the Ward Gallery and the Dawson Gallery and won Merit Awards at MAG’s Clothesline Festival.

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SUSAN SWEET
Painting

Susan has been teaching painting at the Creative Workshop since 2005. She cultivates a relaxed and supportive atmosphere, with strong attention to individual needs, skill level and ideas. She has also taught painting at BOCES1 for 13 years.

Sue earned an AS degree in art history from Empire State and has three years of undergraduate study in fine art at Nazareth, She also studied in France with g.a. Sheller, at the Great Rivers Art Institute with Stuart Shils, and privately with Paxton Moffett.

Sue's paintings have been exhibited by the Rochester Art Club, Western Wayne Art Group and the Ontario Art Club and have received several Best of Shows and numerous juror’s and merit awards. Her work has been represented by Roselawn Gallery, Pittsford; the Gallery on Main Street, Canandaigua; and Harbor View Gallery, Pultneyville.

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ROSE VAN TYNE
Children’s Art, Ceramics

Rose, who started as an adult student at the Creative Workshop, has been teaching here since 2008. She encourages the exploration of clay to express individual thoughts and ideas while building art vocabulary and skill.

Rose earned a BS in elementary education, SUNY Brockport and an MS in art education, Nazareth College. For five years, she has been a substitute teacher in the Rochester area.

Rose enjoys guiding her students through their exploration of clay to express individual thoughts and ideas.

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JILLIAN WHEATON
Ceramics, Children’s Art

Jillian has taught at the Creative Workshop since 2006, including at Art Day School.

She earned her BS in arts and science and her masters in art education, both from Nazareth College, where she received an outstanding studio artist award in 2006.

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GINA ZANOLLI
Drawing, Painting

Gina has taught at the Creative Workshop since 2002. She combines upbeat and thorough instruction with patient feedback and thoughtful reflections.

Gina earned her MFA and BFA from the University of Buffalo. She has exhibited in the Albright-Knox Western New York Exhibition (four times), and in the 10 Artists exhibition at Hallwall's Gallery in Buffalo. She also teaches at Monroe Community College.

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