June Abbott has a Master's Degree in Music Education from Georgia State University and sings with the Atlanta Symphony Chorus and in the Atlanta community. She is a licensed Kindermusik instructor and has taught children in the pre-school classroom setting for many years. June was the recipient of Callanwolde's Dr. Samuel Goldman Award for Outstanding Instructor of the Year in 2005.
Nancy Albertson has been a studio artist for thirty-five years. Her medias include Fiber, Handmade Paper. Paper Arts, Photography and Jewelry. Nan originates from the great state of Michigan, earning a BFA with distinction from WMU, then a MFA from Syracuse University. Nan began her teaching career creating the Fiber Arts program for the University of South Carolina. Nan also lived and worked as part of the Penland School of Art community in North Carolina for many years. She has a long history of teaching adults in various workshops throughout the country. Her work resides in many corporate and private collections, including IBM, Price Waterhouse, Hyatt Regency Hotels, Fugua Industries, Cox Cable Corporation, Nationsbank, and Wachovia. Nan continues to work actively in her various studio endeavors, searching for personal meaning through her observations, exploring the metaphoric similarities of nature to herself and humankind.
Deirdra S. Alexander has over twenty years teaching experience in early childhood education and as the art teacher for The Preschool at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church. Deirdra created and developed The Preschool’s art program, using visual learning to support skill building and language development. She also developed an age appropriate Atelier at The Preschool, which has become a favorite of teachers and children of all age groups. Deirdra presently works with classroom teachers to integrate the visual arts into their daily learning environment. A teaching artist with the High Museum of Art for the past 5 years, she teaches age appropriate art lessons and tours Preschool age school children through the museum. She is presently the Teaching Artist for the Toddler Thursday hands on art activity at the High. She has also enjoyed working with 3rd-5th grade Atlanta City Schools students in after school art programs with The High Museum. Deirdra also paints commissioned portraits, and develops thematic artwork for institutions and commercial offices.
Jenny Ashcraft apprenticed with studio potter, Carol Cooper, then completed an assistantship in the Callanwolde Pottery Department in 1978. She has attended summer workshops at Penland School of Crafts, The Hambidge Center and Valdosta State College. She has been a studio potter and Callanwolde Pottery instructor since 1978. Currently, Jennie is co-owner of Berman Gallery, Inc. (1981 – present). She makes functional porcelain and stoneware pots.
Emily Ayers has been a textile artist for the past 15 years, specializing in batik, but dabbling in almost everything. She began playing with batik when she was a child, and is self-taught. She holds a BS and a Master's in Architecture from GA Tech, but quickly saw the error of her ways and began entering juried arts festivals. She exhibits primarily in the southeast.
Marty Barrett graduated from Concordia College, Bronxville, New York with a B.A. in early childhood education. He studied theater at Towson State University, and has performed, taught, and directed in the Atlanta area since 1978. He is on the roster of artists for Young Audiences in Atlanta, and he is pastor at New Covenant Community Church in the Chamblee-Tucker area.
Nadia Belmat A native of Paris, France, Nadia Belmat's work has been influenced by many different cultures and communities from around the world. She has traveled extensively throughout the Caribbean, Europe, and the United States. Nadia brings the textures and flavors of the various places and people that she encountered to her works. Nadia comes from a close knit family and that bond and love of tradition gives birth and support to her many community contributions and interests. With over 10 years of ceramics work, intensive classes, fair, artist markets, multiple workshops and collaboration projects with various artists, Nadia has been teaching Art Classes and Summer Youth Programs for several years in Atlanta, Georgia. Her exciting workshops focus on developing critical thinking skills and self-esteem in the most engaging and simple ways. Nadia Belmat honest humility and enthusiasm shape her unforgettable and positive personality. Ms. Belmat's elegant works have been displayed and appreciated internationally. Using the human figures and basic form as a vehicle to express quiet contemplation from the viewer, Nadia creates an atmosphere that allows the viewer to awaken to a sense of joy. Inspired by Cubism and primitive cultures, such as masks and ceremonial vessels her all original body of work will surprise you. Starting out as a block of clay, her sculptures sensibly transform with various finish and textures. The stimulation of emotions through Nadia's imagination is a wonderful adventure.
Rick Berman is a studio potter, workshop leader, and ceramic historian. He has served as associate editor of Clay Times and currently teaches ceramics and sculpture. For 31 of the last 35 years, potter Rick Berman has been writing a book about indigenous pottery in India. In 1996 he made a film on Indian pottery and he is working on an 80-foot brick and tile wall for an Indian monastary. In 2003, he curated the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia's "Clay" exhibit. Rick has taught at University of Georgia, West Georgia College, North Georgia College, and Georgia State University. Besides pottery, Rick enjoys playing the guitar and harmonica.
Jed Brody has received over 600 hours of training in Taoist meditation and chi kung (moving meditation). He has taught physics on three continents and instructed students from diverse backgrounds. He is a senior lecturer in physics at Emory University. As a participant in the Emory-Tibet Science Initiative, he has traveled to Dharamsala to teach physics to Tibetan monks and nuns. He was a Peace Corps volunteer and taught high-school physics in Benin, West Africa.
Holly Brooks has a degree in Landscape Horticulture and Design from Colorado State University and has worked in Atlanta as a designer and project manager of high-end residential estates for 10 years. Holly has experience in designing and building everything from small gardens to elaborate master plans. Through her class you will gain the knowledge and practical skills needed to design, install and maintain your landscape.
Marc Brotherton is an MFA graduate of Brooklyn College, a BFA graduate from the University of New Mexico, and has studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He has participated in solo and group shows in New York, London, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Atlanta and Albuquerque. He currently lives and works in Decatur, Georgia. http://www.marcbrotherton.com.
Bill Buckner is a studio potter who also teaches at the Marist School in Atlanta. Bill works mainly with high-fire porcelain and stoneware and has done extensive work with shinos and soda-fired ware. His work has been exhibited in national and international juried exhibitions and is in private collections as remote as Sydney, Australia. Bill studied ceramics, metals, and enamels. He holds a BA from Florida State University, and attended graduate school in the MFA program at Indiana University.
Josef Cillo A local photographic artist, Josef Cillo has been teaching visual arts to various age levels in the Atlanta area for the past thirteen years. He currently teaches visual art at the Paideia School, as well as traditional darkroom photography at Callanwolde. He holds a B.A. in Advertising with a concentration in Art from Marietta College, Ohio and a B.F.A. in Art Education from Georgia State University. Joe is committed to visual learning and embraces both applied and fine art photography. Please visit: www.josefcillo.com.
Mary Cobb graduated from Florida State University with a bachelor's degree in art education. She completed the Callanwolde Assistantship program, and has been a professional studio potter and teacher for almost 20 years.
Woody Cornwell is an artist and founding member of Eyedrum Art and Music Gallery in Atlanta (www.eyedrum.org). Cornwell works part-time as an arts instructor for the Atlanta College of Art and as a display ad sales representative for Art Papers magazine. Woody has a MFA in drawing and painting from Georgia State University and a BFA from the Savannah College of Art and Design. He emerged as an accomplished painter in 2000 within the group shows "Hypnotic Post: Atlanta Abstraction Now," at the Swan Coach House Gallery and "Coming Attractions," at Vaknin Schwarz Gallery. In 2003 Woody's artwork was published in New American Paintings and he had his first solo exhibition in a museum setting at the inaugural opening of The Jacksonville Museum of Modern Art in Jacksonville, FL.
Sandy Culp was educated at Cleveland Institute of Art, Ohio and Cooper Union School of Art and Architecture in New York City. Sandy Culp's work has been shown nationally with awards of distinction. In Atlanta her work has been shown at the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia, The Signature Shop Gallery, Mudfire Gallery and Agnes Scott's Dalton Gallery of Fine Art. Her personal work proves she is proficient in trompe l'oeil, surrealism and figurative work. Culp was also the feature article and cover of the Sept. issue of "Clay Times" in 2006.
Valentina Custer is a registered architect in Georgia and a member of American Institute of Architecture. Her Master’s degree in Architecture is from MARKHI - Moscow Architectural Institute, (the State Academy), Moscow, Russia, where she learned architecture and fine art (drawings, painting, sculpture). Valentina is an award-winning designer working on high-visibility international projects. She has an extensive background in architectural design, architectural illustration, and fine art. Valentina is an expert in architectural illustrations and provides rendering services to architectural firms and developers. She has an extensive body of work in fine art that has been displayed in art shows and galleries within the United States and Russia.
Glenn Dair received a master of fine arts from University of Georgia and has been the director of Callanwolde's pottery program since 1980.
David Damon studied Photography at the University of Georgia where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree. A lifetime printing enthusiast and camera collector, David leads and participates in workshops. His present work is centered on toning and alternative photographic processes. His work has been exhibited at various venues in Atlanta as well as the Center for Fine Arts Photography in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Debra Davis
Elizabeth D'Angelo holds a BFA in Electronic Intermedia from the University of Florida with a minor in Art History. Although her interests span a wide range, Beth has focused her creative endeavors on painting as she feels that is where she is most at home. She has been cultivating a series of what she calls "Centers". She speaks of healing, self-renewal, and the importance of balance in these pieces. Some of her numerous exhibition spaces locally have included The Ferst Center for the Performing Arts, The B Complex, Eyedrum, the GASP! Gallery at the Tula Art Center, and Be Original! at Miami Circle. You can see her work at www.elizabethdangelo.com.
Linda DeMars received her A.A. degree in Early Childhood Education from DeKalb College. Linda has been teaching at Morningside Day Out Pre-School for 21 years and has taught children's craft workshops and summer camp at the Midtown YWCA.
Neil Dent’s professional career in the photographic industry has spanned over two decades. Neil's vision has remained consistent throughout: to create images that employ simplicity in style and design to describe often-complex subjects. Neil's work has been recognized and received many awards including The Kodak National Scholastic Awards, Society of Photographic Education, Professional Photographers of America and The Cultural Legacy Project. His work is consistently published in many local, regional, and National publications. His client list includes independent local businesses as well as multinational corporations.
Ann Doherty has been weaving since 1990. She earned the City and Guilds Certificate in Weaving and Dyeing, from the City and Guilds of London Institute in 1994. She teaches weaving at CHG and at Callanwolde. She has been a member of Handweavers Guild of America and the Chattahoochee Handweavers Guild since 1996, and has served on the Guild Board.
Jena Dost earned a BFA from Atlanta College of Art with a major in Sculpture, 1998. Then, she earned an MFA from Queens College, CUNY, NYC, with a Major in Sculpture and Minor in Drawing, 2004. Currently, Jena is an Adjunct Professor of Sculpture at Oglethorpe University and an assistant in Callanwolde’s Pottery Program.
Nat Emerson is an accomplished Atlanta artist who's work includes painting, drawing, photography, video and collage. Nathaniel graduated with a BFA from the Atlanta College of Art. While in attendance, he worked at the ACA Gallery as a gallery assistant. Nathaniel is currently teaching high school level drawing and painting at The Paideia School in a special after-school program designed specifically for the budding artist. Nathaniel's knowledge of many artistic disciplines enables him to teach in a multi-dimensional fashion, bridging the mental gap between artistic mediums. Nathaniel views teaching as its own art form, and sees mentorship as an important part of importing knowledge. He remains committed to upholding the high standards of teaching that he learned from his own mentors.
Norm Ficke is one of the southeast’s most eclectic musicians and educators. As an artist, he has had the pleasure of working with some of the nation’s most interesting performers and ensembles, ranging from Jazz greats Kenny Barron and David Sanchez to roots duo The Wood Brothers and Robert Randolph. As an educator, Norm serves as more than just a private instructor. He is actively involved in the Atlanta area, teaching clinics at high schools such as North Atlanta Center for the Arts, working as a woodwind coach with the Emory University Big Band, and conducting seminars at many local organizations for at-risk children and teens. His teaching style focuses on each student’s own innate abilities, and encourages creativity, expression, and interaction as well as providing a strong fundamental background for students to enjoy music making regardless of their endeavors. Norm holds a bachelor’s degree in performing arts from Georgia State University, as well as five years of teaching experience, both private and in-group settings.
Lesly Fredman has performed onstage, in the streets, at rallies and festivals, on her porch, and in living rooms and parades as a member of Atlanta Street Theater, The Exception and The Rule, Sisters of No Mercy, Theatre on the Prowl, the Cold Soup Dinner Theatre, and The Dancing Flowers for Peace. In addition to performing, she has over three decades of experience teaching improvisation and acting as well as producing and directing theatre in Atlanta and elsewhere, and co-founding two citywide performing arts festivals. Currently she is the Managing and Artistic Director of Theatre on the Prowl and a Sunflower with The Dancing Flowers for Peace. She is also a Certified Laughter Yoga Leader, a member and former group leader of the Artist Conference Network, and has her own creativity coaching practice, Presence. She recently co-produced and performed with collaborator Clay “Larry Schulz” Spurz in an original show “Scooter & Spurz In Character” at the Academy Theatre.
Priscilla Fritsch began silversmithing in 2004 after leaving the corporate world of engineering. She has studied at the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts in San Francisco as well as taken numerous classes in silversmithing techniques and design. Priscilla has taught classes at private studios throughout the area and has demonstrated silversmithing techniques at the American Craft Council Show in Atlanta. Priscilla finds great pleasure in helping students overcome their fear of tools and mistakes. She is a member of the Society of North American Goldsmiths, The Georgia Goldsmith Group, and The Florida Society of Goldsmiths, and has a degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Wisconsin.
Jennilee Garcia-Green has been a dancer for almost 14 years and has taught Jazz and Ballet for 4 years. She graduated in 2004 with a B.A. in Advertising and a minor in Dance from the University of Puerto Rico. She has received awards in 5 disciplines of dance: African, Ballet, Jazz, Flamenco, and Hip-Hop. She has danced with Puerto Rican artists in their concerts, and has taken workshops with Mia Michaels, Wade Robson, Alvin Ailey, American Ballet Theatre, Chris Judd, and others. She choreographed for Miss Teen Puerto Rico two years in a row and has received an award for choreography.
Suzanne Garrison was born and raised in south Florida, where she studied with Madame Athena Pallas and Mr. Fletcher McClendon. She earned a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Ballet and Modern Dance from Texas Christian University (summa cum laude). While at TCU, she trained with Susan Douglas Roberts, Elizabeth Gillaspy, Li Chou Cheng, and the late Fernando Bujones. Suzanne has danced professionally in Texas, Japan, and Chicago in classical ballet, contemporary ballet, and modern dance works. Suzanne teaches Beginning/Intermediate Ballet for adults, and also works as Callanwolde’s Dance and Community Outreach Coordinator.
Sally Giray writer, published poet, speaker and storyteller received a B.A. from Webber Douglas School of Dramatic Art, London. There followed one year's study of fine arts at The Chelsea School of Art and later she completed an advanced course in Drama for Schools at the Central School of Speech and Drama, London. Sally has written and seen into production, two musicals, thirteen plays and five plays for youth theatre. In London, Sally was commissioned to write a drama series on the American Impressionist, Rothko, following her successful platform performances at the Tate Gallery, one of them the critically acclaimed "Somebody Has To Tell Picasso". In Georgia, as part of the cultural events for the 1996 Olympic Games she directed the World Premier of the opera 'Starchild'. Since then her gallery performances have been seen at The High Museum of Art, The Morris Museum, Augusta, also the Montgomery Museum of Art. Sally was granted US Residency as a recognized International Artist and both CNN and PBS have aired her work.
Cat Goolsby has a degree from Georgia State University. She has continued her studies in metalsmithing and Jewelry Fabrication, taking more than 20 courses from other experts in the industry. While being highly motivated to learn new skills, Cat also enjoys teaching. She believes that creating jewelry ought to be fun, while also being a therapeutic outlet to bolster confidence and self-esteem. She looks to guide students to master techniques and improve their personal style and craftsmanship. Cat also teaches at Spruill Center for the Arts.
Carol Gray received a bachelor of fine arts from Ohio Wesleyan University. She is a member of the Atlanta Calligraphers Guild, and teaches calligraphy at many locations in Atlanta.
Barry Gregg is a local clay artist residing in Decatur, Georgia. He has exhibited at Mudfire Gallery, Clay Center West, The Swan Coach House Gallery, The Atlanta College of Art and Hambidge Art Center. He was one of 50 Georgia potters to show in Perspectives 2008 in Watkinsville, Georgia. He has been featured in Decatur Living Magazine, Lark Books Handbuilding Techniques, 500 Pitchers and 500 Tiles.
Kay Guilmet has a degree in Art Education. She learned to weave in Syracuse N.Y. where she first began to teach it. She has now been weaving nearly 40 years. She has also taught at the Fine Arts Center in Gwinnett, for the Chattahoochee Handweavers Guild, and at the Callanwolde Art Center, as well as being an assistant teacher at the John C. Campbell Folk School. Since 1986 she has taken, on average, 2 workshops a year with many nationally recognized weavers. Her work has been in juried shows and she has won prizes with her work at the Georgia National Fair. Her specialty has been hand-woven clothing, but she is now branching out into art pieces.
Betsy Halford is a self taught mixed media artist that uses found, recycled and repurposed materials to create her artwork. Betsy worked many years in the corporate world but decided in 1995 life is too short to do something you don’t love. Using materials that she had been gathering and collecting all of her life, she began creating her version of mixed media assemblages. Betsy has shown her work at several local art shows including 2009 Folkfest and the 2009 Chastain Park Arts Festival and is currently showing her work at the Decatur Market and Gallery.
Sarah Hatch is a professional studio artist who has been teaching at Callanwolde since 1993. Sarah has exhibited her work in Atlanta and in various cities along the East coast.
Kate Hinkel grew up in Atlanta, where she studied ballet and modern dance at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center and the Atlanta Ballet. She received her BFA in Dance from Florida State University. While at FSU, her choreography was performed at The American College Dance Festival and The Florida Dance Festival. She also received the A.J. Fletcher Foundation scholarship to the American Dance Festival in Durham, NC. Kate has performed with CORE Performance Company, Room To Move Dance Company, Duende Dance Company and Coriolis Dance in Atlanta. She's performed nationally and internationally, including Canada, England and Germany. Kate has been teaching and choreographing at Callanwolde since 2001.
Kate Holland is an Atlanta-based choreographer, performer, and teacher, whose live performance and video works have been well-received both locally and regionally. Her choreography and voice-over work were featured in the GPTV production "Starchild", which was nominated for a 1998 Emmy Award for "Excellence in the Arts." She has been an instructor at Callanwolde for the past ten years.
Cindy Horsley, BIS, Georgia State, certified gifted and middle grades. As an enrichment teacher, Cindy has been actively teaching and exploring how things work for over 15 years. She has co-authored 4 mixed-media books and coordinated children’s camps and art classes throughout the years, including here at Callanwolde.
Carla House with over thirty-five years teaching experience, currently Semi- retired, and still loving teaching, has joined Callanwolde for the last four years. Prior to this she was with the Atlanta College of Art for 20 years, and a professor at the University of N.C. at Chapel Hill for eight years. She studied at the University of Illinois, Yale University, and the University of Mass./Amherst, and holds a BFA and MFA in Painting. Carla teaches botanical illustration, watercolor, landscape, still life, color theory and occasional workshops. Represented in numerous collections and widely exhibited, she maintains a studio in Inman Park.
Joe H. K. Hsu is a graduate of the University of Chinese Culture in Taipei, Taiwan. She has studied Chinese painting since the age of 9.
Jo Marie Karst
Michael Klapthor has been working in the clay medium for the past 10 years. He graduated from Georgia College & State University with a BFA in ceramics and printmaking. Since then he has been working and teaching in various ceramic studios all over Georgia. Community studios have been an extremely beneficial part of Michael's art experience, affording him the chance to refine his talents with students and instructors of all skill levels and techniques. He is currently working as the Ceramics Studio Coordinator for WonderRoot Community Art Center in Atlanta and featuring his figurative animal sculptures at the Seen Gallery in Decatur.
Mark Knott I am a studio potter working in Suwanee, Ga. My work is focused on functional pots that are soda fired to cone 6. I use both stoneware and porcelain. I studied with the late Ken Ferguson at the Kansas City Art Institute receiving my B.F.A. and Stan Welsh at San Jose State University receiving my M.F.A. I have had the good fortune to be able to work in some great studios over the years, including the Archie Bray Foundation summer resident, Anderson Ranch summer studio assistant and Sun Valley Center for the Arts 2 year resident and artist assistant. I currently exhibit at many galleries across the country, teach at several art centers and conduct workshops. More information and images can be seen at www.markknott.com.
Assane Khouyate Assane and Ousseynou Kouyate are talented twins born and raised in Senegal, West Africa, of a family line originating in Mali and Guinea. The name “Kouyate” is very famous in West Africa. They are descendants of a long line of griots known in their native Mandinko language as jelis (djélis). Griots are the poets, genealogists, history tellers and keepers of West African song and dance traditions. Assane & Ousseynou Kouyate were raised and trained in these cultural traditions. They have been singing,dancing and performing professionally since the age of 13 and were lead dancers and choreographers with Le Ballet National du Senegal and the Sinomew Ballet of Senegal. They danced professionally with both ballets for over 5 years, touring internationally throughout South and North America, Europe, Africa and Taiwan. The duo has also electrified audiences, gracing the stage with many renown West African artists including Youssou N’Dour, Ami Koita, Baaba Maal and Kine Lam to name a few. Now residing in the United States, “the twins” as they are affectionally called, are committed to educating people about their culture and sharing the profound beauty of their art. As teachers, they have instructed classes and workshops in Africa, Europe and the United States. They have also developed their own company, Sekhou Senegal (formerly Djialy Kunda Kouyate), which has had members in Hawaii and California, and frequent guest performers from Africa. The group performs as a musical and dance ensemble at world music and international festivals, concerts and educational programs, some of which included: Reggae on the River, CA, World Arts West: People Like Me, CA, Globalquerque, NM, Sumerfest, NM and Santa Fe International Folk Art Market, NM. Sekhou Senegal consists of the twins, their manager and 8 band members playing traditional African instruments including the djembe, dun dun, sabar and talking drums, kora, ngoni, balafon and the added modern flare of the keyboard, percussion and bass.
Judith Krone is an artist and weaver. She completed her MFA in Textiles in 2002 from Georgia State University, where she studied under textile artist Junco Sato Pollack. She has won numerous awards for her weaving. Her work has been exhibited at Emory University, The Swan Coach House Gallery of the Atlanta History Center, the Chattahoochee Handweavers Guild, Convergence in Atlanta and Denver and the Blue Ridge Handweaving show in Asheville, NC. Her article on Weaving Design appeared in Handwoven in March/April 2004. Her work is available at the Georgia Mountain Fiber Gallery in Blue Ridge, Georgia.
Kris Leach is currently represented by The Signature Shop in Atlanta, GA, and working as an assistant in the Callanwolde Pottery Program. She earned her BFA in Ceramics from Georgia State University under Mark Burleson and Krista Grecco. Kris has also taught at the Olde Town Gallery and Studio in Conyers, GA, and apprenticed with Figure Sculptor, Andy Davis, Lighting Sculptor, Christopher Moulder, and Ceramic Sculptor, Pandra Williams. Kris offers a well-rounded perspective and technical skill to the classroom.
Carol Lee Lorenzo has been teaching at Callanwolde for almost 15 years. Her novel, Nervous Dancer received the 1994 Flannery O'Connor award from the University of Georgia.
Rick Lubrant has a bachelor of fine arts degree in photo design. He is a professional commercial photographer, and has been teaching photography at Callanwolde for over 20 years.
Katy McDougal holds a B.F.A. in Ceramics from Appalachian Center for Crafts in Tennessee. Katy has taught elementary and middle school art classes in the Atlanta area since 1998. She completed the Callanwolde Pottery Assistantship program in 2003, and has been teaching Kaleidoscope and Masters since 2002, and adult classes in our pottery program since 2003. Visit Katy's website.
Aalia Mujtaba has been a jewelry artist for seven years and has taught adult and youth art classes through the Fulton County Arts Council. She holds a B.A. from Agnes Scott College and studied jewelry at Penland School of Craft and at local art centers. In summer of 2007 she was awarded a metals studio assistantship at Peters Valley Craft School in New Jersey. She exhibits her work locally and has been featured in American Art Collector Magazine. To view her work, please visit her website: www.metaalia.com.
Shijun Munns Born in the province of Guangdong, China, Shijun is a graduate of Guangzhou academy of Fine Arts, 1987. Shijun is a recipient of numerous awards for her artistic achievements in both painting and art instruction. Shijun cares about everything that could touch off an old days feelings; ancient poetry with implied meaning, ancient pottery with rough and simple design, flying faeries on the ancient Silk Road. Indeed, Shijun seems to look back into space-time while her paintings spring forward into our time to bring us images of deep and profound souls glimmering in soft, golden light. In Shijun's art, it is impossible to discern the real from the imagined or the ancient from what is now. It may be that Shijun's quiet life and gentle heart have enabled her to express dreams and emotions lost or hidden to the rest of mankind. She brings forth vivid images of life that draw us deep into thought and wonder and into a realm where we ourselves become lost in worlds full of bright color and soft light. Shijun is blessed with an artist's eye and a poet's heart. Whether painting in oil, water color or mixed media painting, she is forever delighted by the results which seem to spring from a deep and ancient well that forms her artist's palette. Her muse gives her a love for oriental simplicity of form.
Lisa Nall earned a Bachelors in Music degree from Samford University. She is an organist, piano teacher and licensed Kindermusik educator. Lisa has many years of experience working with children in graded choirs and has maintained a private piano studio for over 25 years.
Denise Nogueiras Actress, sculptor, painter & art history lover, Denise never tires of any creative pursuit. Always a lover of art and creative expression in its many forms, her interests span a wide range. Her current creative focus is on her painting which friends describe as whimsical. Her philosophy encompases finding your own truth and uniqueness through expressing ideas, feelings and philosophy in physical form either thru the use of painting mediums, sculpture or theatre. Inspired by her favorite artists, she learns life lessons. Grandma Moses did not begin painting until she was in her 70s – “it is never too late to discover and explore your talents.” Installation artist Christo works on some projects for over 25 years until seeing it come to fruition where it then lives a very short life before being dismantled - only to remain a memory by those who experience it. Lesson: “never give up”. She believes art is a personal journey, just like life, and that just like in life, there is always something new to learn. A piece of artwork is as unique as the individual who creates it. Discovering your individuality & not judging it is part of the exiting journey. Her enthusiasm for art is apparent in the classroom and with her students. To view some of her work please visit twofrenchgirls.com/_wsn/page3.html
Kelly Oakes-Dent began balletic training when she was 3 years old. Kelly graduated from Virginia Intermont College. She danced with the Modern Dance Collective and taught ballet while living in Mississippi. In Atlanta, she has danced with and taught at the Ruth Mitchell Dance Company. Kelly is certified to teach ballet by the Royal Academy of Dance. She has been teaching at Callanwolde since 1991.
Carla Powell has a B.F.A. with a concentration in Textiles from Georgia State University. Carla has won awards for her fiber art. She currently exhibits around the state and in South Carolina. Carla has two wonderful sons, 12 and 14 years old, which she homeschools.
Megan Reeves holds BFAs in Drawing & Painting and Art Education from the University of Georgia. She has spent the last six years teaching public elementary school art and summer camps. Prior to teaching, Megan worked as an archivist for a print collection at the Georgia Museum of Art in Athens. Megan is also a working artist, specializing in abstract, mixed-media pieces.
Leisa Rich has been instructing art to students of all ages for 31 years. She holds Bachelor of Fine Art, Bachelor of Education in Art, and Master of Fine Art degrees. Her own art works are Fiber Sculpture and Installation. Leisa exhibits internationally and nationally. In 2007, she will be featured in the PBS "In Context" televised series.
Nancy Riggs received a B.F.A. in Acting from the University of North Carolina- Greensboro. Nancy has taught drama at various theatres and camps around Atlanta for many years. She is a professional puppeteer, director and actress for theatres such as The Alliance, The Atlanta Shakespeare Tavern and Dunwoody's Stage Door Players. She once starred in The Fantastiks at Callanwolde.
Perry Rintye has been working in the Improv world as both a performer and educator for over 17 years, initially with Laughing Matters - Atlanta's longest running Improv Troupe, where he studied with Improv Master Tommy Futch. He has taught Improv workshops for the Georgia High School Thespian Society, Laughing Matters University, and the Newnan Community Theatre. As a performer, you'll find him regularly with the Murder Mystery Players, and at the Georgia Renaissance Festival, where he plays the Village Idiot. Perry believes, "Life is an Improv Scene - we make it up as we go, and it doesn't hurt to brush up on your skills every now and then. You may not figure it all out, but you'll have fun trying!"
Ann Ritter As a yoga teacher and therapist, Ms. Ritter teaches at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center and Emory University, and practices privately in Decatur. She is a certified as an instructor of Kundalini Yoga at the 200-hour level and is pursuing certification at the 500-hour level in both Kundalini Yoga and Integrative Yoga Therapy. Ms. Ritter's background also includes study in traditional Hatha, Kripalu, Integral and Kali yogas. Her additional certifications include polarity therapy at the associate practitioner level, and Thai yoga massage and bodywork from the Lotus Palm School in Montreal, Canada. She has been teaching yoga for more than 12 years. Also an avid fan of dance and movement, Ms. Ritter has pursued the integration of narration and movement in performance through Fieldwork, a national program co-sponsored locally by Several Dancers Core and Emory University's dance department, for the past two years. She is on the board of Beacon Dance Company, Decatur, and has performed for three seasons with Beacon's Mapping Project. She also sits on the board of the Friends of Theatre Emory.
Lori Rowe
Lora Rust Currently Lora is an Instructor for all-level pottery on the wheel classes at the Abernathy Arts Center in Sandy Springs. After completing her 2 year Assistantship in the Pottery Program at the Callanwolde Fine Arts Center in December 2008, Lora has also established her own ceramic studio in in town Atlanta. Lora attributes her passion for her craft to an abundance of ceramic art in her home growing up. An early admiration for artistic elements of design, form, and functionality were incorporated into her everyday life. When expressing herself artistically, the methods were always tactile - sewing and needlepoint at an early age, and then clay in her high school and college years. Returning to clay for the Assistantship program at Callanwolde provided Lora with the opportunity to build a solid foundation and develop her own style, applying innovative techniques for surface textures and glazes. Her stylized technique is a process of striking and moving the clay with handmade wooden tools. No clay is removed or carved away. The designs and patterns found in Gothic Architecture mixed with the fluidity of the Art Nouveau period are strong influences for Lora’s work. Inspiration from fashion design helps capture a certain movement to the texture on the form. Her hope is to create forms with a lush and fluid texture that beg to be touched. View images at www.flickr.com/photos/lorarust.
Chouaieb Saidi is Tunisian-born and Paris-educated. He now lives in Atlanta, where he continues to paint, promote art and teach to art lovers. A passionate soul, a loving heart and an inquisitive mind, Chouaieb Saidi is a full-life artist. "Life itself is a white canvas, it is what we make of it", Said the artist. He adds" I want mine to be a celebration of a diversity unified in a poetic harmony.'' An award winning, international artist, Saidi owes his early diverse talent to a loving, gifted family and a sunny Mediterranean climate. He attributes his broad knowledge in art and design to generations of master artists and great teachers including during seven years of visual arts studies at the world-renowned Sorbonne University in Paris, where he earned a Masters degree in Applied Arts and a Doctorate of Visual Arts. His expertise was developed by 20 years of daily practice in creating art, including a decade in Montmartre; this beautiful, historic art district in Paris, once home to several old masters including Pablo Picasso, Van Gogh and Toulouse Lautrec and where Dr. Saidi was well recognized as one of Montmartre most distinguished portrait artists. For the past ten years, Dr. Saidi has become a recommended art instructor and renowned artist whose art is exhibited in museums and galleries in the USA and abroad. Saidi's artwork has been featured on major TV channels including CNN, NBC and FOX5. This was primarily because his popular painting, "Universal Godfather of Soul" of James Brown that was displayed next to the singer's coffin at the official Funeral Ceremony in Augusta- Georgia. The painting won "Best in Show Award” at the international artists exhibition, “Visual Soul”. It is currently in the permanent collection of Lucy Laney Museum in Augusta, GA. Saidi has painted thousands of patrons around the world including public and political figures and celebrities such as actor Charles Bronson, Michael Jackson, James Brown, Miss America 2008, Kristin Hugland, and a portrait of former President Abraham Lincoln that is now on display in the Washington DC Historic Society Gallery.
Katherine Schneider has studied at Studio Art Centers International in Florence, Italy, she earned a BFA in ceramics at Rhode Island School of Design and a MA in Art Education from The University of New Mexico. Katherine is currently an art teacher at the Lovett School in Atlanta, GA. Her art work consists of weavings, mixed media and raku ceramic work.
June Akers Seese, the instructor of Callanwolde's Memoir I-IV courses, is a novelist who has also taught "Women and Fiction", "The Fictional Process", and "Style and Politics in the work of Pearl Cleage and Grace Paley" in the Callanwolde writing program. Her novels include: What Waiting Really Means, Is This What Other Women Feel Too?, and James Mason and the Walk-In Closet. She earned a fellowship from Yaddo in 2001. Her novel, Some Things Are Better Left to Saxophones, is forthcoming in the summer of 2007.
Susan Sexton is a master perfumeur and aromatherapy mixing artist who has been practicing the mysterious art of blending essences for over 10 years. Trained by Galimard, the oldest perfumerie in France, established 1747, Susan frequently returns to France to continue her studies. As a co-owner of BLEND Custom Parfum in Buckhead, Ms. Sexton specializes in helping people design their own custom blends and hosts parties and group functions at her studio. Susan has been featured in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Skirt Magazine, The Atlantan, Where Magazine, Points North, New You and The International Perfume Bottle Association Magazine. Ms. Sexton is a native Atlantan and also owns Maverick Solutions, a strategic marketing communications firm. Susan is a graduate of the University of Georgia with a degree in Journalism.
David Spencer As a Georgia native, David has enjoyed over 26 years of teaching Ballroom Dancing around the metro Atlanta area. His initial training began as a student at the Arthur Murray Studios, and continued at the Fred Astaire Dance Studios. It was there he was examined and certified as an Instructor in all dances- from the Novice level through the most Advanced. He also received Coaching, Judging and Choreography credentials. Not only is David a dynamic Private Sessions Instructor, but he is also quite comfortable teaching an enthusiastic Group Class of any size, age, or level. He attributes continued career success to one simple motto, "Keep It Fun And Keep It Simple!" Please feel free to contact David via e-mail at dtspencer1@aol.com.
Laurie Steele is a professional studio potter. She completed the Callanwolde Assistantship program and has been teaching here since 1994.
Carol Sutherland is a graduate of Agnes Scott College where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in fine art, elementary education and art education. She continued her studies in fine arts at Georgia State University. Carol taught art for nine years at St. Pius X High School where she served as chairman of the Fine Arts Department. She formed her own Carol Sutherland Studios in 1979 and worked as a professional artist focusing on corporate commission work. She has major works of art across the Southeast that may be seen in offices and major corporate centers. Carol returned to teaching in 1990, teaching art courses at Emory University, Callanwolde Fine Arts Center and, since 1997, at Atlanta Botanical Gardens. She is a member of the American Society of Botanical Artists and has been drawing botanical subject matter since 1991, when she was inspired by a trip to four of the Hawaiian Islands.
Stephen Sweny has a BA in Media Arts from the School of Visual Arts in NYC. He also attended Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY. He has worked as an Illustrator for numerous national magazines, advertising agencies, and publishers. Clients include The New York Times, Forbes, Business Week, National Lampoon, Chicago Tribune, Scholastic, Fortune, GQ, NY Daily News, Psychology Today, McGraw Hill, Discover, and many more. Locally, he has worked with AJC, Atlanta Magazine, and has illustrated 18 covers for Creative Loafing. He is represented by Donna Rosen Artists, and has taught Illustration at The Portfolio Center and the Atlanta College of Art.
Alice Teeter has been writing poetry since she was in the fourth grade in Winter Haven, Florida. In 1975, she received a B.A. in Creative Writing/Literature from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida, studying poetry under Peter Meinke. In 1975, she moved to Atlanta. She’s participated in various writers groups including the legendary Websters writing group from 1991-1995. Teeter currently lives in Pine Lake, Georgia, with her partner Kathie deNobriga. In April of 2009, Star Cloud Press published Teeter’s first full-length collection of poems When It Happens To You… “They're strong, passionate poems... The love poems are plangent, beautiful and somehow painful... these poems are alive and pulsing with human feeling unmediated by anything outside the experience they convey...” – Rhina Espaillat. Alice Teeter’s collection of poems entitled String Theory won the Georgia Poetry Society’s 2007-2008 Charles B. Dickson Chapbook Contest judged by poet Lewis Turco. Awarded a two-week artist residency in March 2010 at the Hambidge Center in North Georgia, Teeter will be working on completing poems for her next book due out in 2011. Teeter is a member and former group leader of the Artist Conference Network, a national coaching community for people doing creative work. She is a member of Alternate ROOTS, a service organization for artists creating community-based work in the Southeast. She has led ‘Improvoetry’ workshops with Lesly Fredman, using improvisation techniques as poetic inspiration and poetry as a springboard for further improvisation. A founding member of the String Theory Cohort, Alice Teeter, Priscilla Smith, and company have been developing and performing dance pieces created using Teeter’s poetry including “String Theory” and “The Woman Who Ate Anger.” The Cohort has also been exploring ideas from astronomy, science, and physics through dance and movement and is working toward an evening-length multi-media performance piece. Teeter works as a graphic artist for Coverdell, a marketing services company, and freelance designs CD cover art for Atlanta musicians.
Kaye Thomas holds a BFA in Ceramics from Georgia State University. She is currently a Pottery Assistant here at Callanwolde.
Memye Curtis Tucker, Ph.D. received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007 from the Georgia Writers Association. Her full-length collection, The Watchers, selected by Louis Simpson for the 1998 Hollis Summers Poetry Prize, was published by Ohio University Press. She is also the author of three poetry chapbooks: the prizewinning Admit One (State Street Press) and Storm Line (Palanquin Press), as well as Holding Patterns (Poetry Atlanta Press). Her poems have appeared widely in anthologies and such journals as Colorado Review, Georgia Review, Shenandoah, Southern Review, and Oxford Review, and have been set as art song on CD and featured in translation in Korea. In English Literature, Memye holds a Ph.D. from Emory University; an M.A. from Columbia University; and a B.A. from Agnes Scott College, where later she was named the college’s first "Distinguished Alumna Author" and an Alumna Trustee. The recipient of numerous prizes and fellowships in poetry, Ms. Tucker has taught poetry writing at the Callanwolde Fine Arts Center since 1989 and is a Senior Editor of Atlanta Review.
Ana Vizurraga holds a bachelor of fine arts in painting/ceramics from Georgia State. She has also completed the Callanwolde Apprenticeship in pottery, and attended Penland Craft School in North Carolina. She has been teaching at Callanwolde since the early 1980s.
Elaine Wadsworth received her dance training from the Atlanta Ballet, Marin Ballet, American Conservatory Theatre, and Solvang Theaterfest. She has performed both on and off Broadway in such works as Faust, Aida, and Cinderella. Elaine is also an actress and has had numerous principal speaking roles in film and TV. She has performed with the Metropolitan Opera Ballet and the San Francisco Opera Ballet, among others. Her favorite roles include Carmen in the ballet, Carmen, Titania/Hippolita in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and. Olivia/Maria in Twelfth Night. She currently dances with Lee Harper and teaches at the Duluth School of Ballet.
Will Waggenner is a native of Atlanta. He has been studying with Sifu Mark Warner for over 7 years. He has competed nationally and internationally. Most recently, he won an AAU National Championship.
Kathryn Walker is an artisan jeweler who focuses on color and texture in her copper, silver or beaded pieces. She has a BA from Florida State University and has studied metalsmithing and ceramics at local arts centers.
Mark Walsh was born into an Air Force Family. His first years were spent in parochial Catholic schools. Until he was 12, the only music he knew was Latin hymns and Show Tunes. In 1962 he found out about another genre: classical music. He has not been the same since. Mark attended the North Carolina School of the Arts, West Virginia University and UNC Chapel Hill. He moved to Atlanta in 1975 and lives in Inman Park.
Jerylann Warner has been teaching and choreographing dance in the north and southeast for many years. Her teaching credits for adults, children and professionals include many esteemed universities, studios and performing arts high schools. She has been a presence as a creator, writer and founder for many dance initiatives. Her modern dance class was cited by the AJC as "Top Class in Atlanta". Her company, Gathering Wild Dance was critics pick for Best Dance Company, 2001. Jerylann resides with her family in Decatur.
Cynthia Watters A Georgia native, Soprano Cynthia Watters received her Master of Music degree in voice at Indiana University and a Bachelor of Music degree at Shorter College. She studied opera at the Aspen Music Festival, vocal chamber music at the Ravinia Festival in Chicago, and performed as a soloist with Boston Lyric Opera, Opera Theater of Saint Louis, the National Symphony Orchestra, Seattle Symphony, and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. Throughout her career, Ms. Watters has taught private voice to students of all ages and levels of vocal ability. An active local recitalist and soloist, Ms. Watters also serves as the Georgia Director of the Metropolitan Opera Auditions.
Merri Williams A native Atlantan, Merri Williams has always been involved in music: first, as a beginning piano student at age 4, later as a performer of both flute and piano, and lastly as a music educator for the past 35 years. A graduate of Georgia State University, Merri holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education, having graduated with Honors. She has taught in both public and private schools, including a local junior college, as well as private instruction in her home studio. Through her church, Merri has directed children’s choirs and music camps for the past 27 years. Licensed as a Kindermusik educator since 2004, it is the joy of her life to work with young children and their parents in the Kindermusik classroom.
Cindy Zarrilli studied at Ringling School of Art in Sarasota and graduated from Georgia State University. She has exhibited at Callanwolde and at Salt Creek Gallery in St. Petersburg, Florida. Her experience as an artist includes drawing for Fay Gold and being a courtroom artist for CNN and NBC. Her work can be viewed online at www.cindyzart.com.
Thomas Zwierlein has a master of fine arts in sculpture/ceramics from the University of Kentucky. He has been teaching at Callanwolde since 1993.