The Sharon Arts School of Art and Craft Faculty

Faculty Biographies (In alphabetical order by last name.)

HOLLY ALDERMAN: An artist and photographer whose decorative arts are inspired by the beauty of nature, landscape and weather. Favorite themes include ferns and mica, golden light, gardens, architecture and sculpture. Her art is installed in residences and restaurants from La Jolla to London and has appeared at the White House and Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site, on TOH, Dream House, and Today. She was a mural fellow at the National Academy in New York, and a teaching assistant in Design Science at Harvard College. MonadnockDailyPhoto.blogspot.com and aldermanarts.typepad.com.

VLADIMIR BARSUKOV: PhD in physics and mathematics from St. Petersburg University in Russia. He shows his work at galleries throughout New England. He is a member of the Cambridge and Concord Art Associations in MA. www.perpetualmobiles.com

MARTA BERNBAUM: BFA from the Mass College of Art. Her work focuses on trees and flowers and includes beads and sculptural pieces. Her work is available at Don Muller Gallery in Northampton, MA, and the SAC Craft Gallery. She teaches at Snow Farm, Waterfalls Art Center, and out of her studio in Brattleboro, VT . www.jmbglass.com

GUY BIECHELE : Member of a group of 21 international photographers showcasing state-of-the-art digital photography in exhibits in Japan, Australia, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland and the US. Guy especially enjoys outdoor photography, and his preferred subjects are New England landscapes, Maine coast seascapes, lighthouses, architecture and wildlife. www.guybiechele.com CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT GUY BIECHELE.

GYAKYI BONSU-ANANE: Has worked in the field of multimedia for over 20 years. Taught multimedia production at The New School for Social Research, The City College of New York, and Franklin Pierce College. He also works at the Peterborough Camera Shop.

MIZZY BOYLE: A mixed and multi-media artist, graduated from Skidmore College with a BS in Art Education. She has taught at UNH and anywhere else they’d let her. Mizzy’s interests run the gamut from Ceramics and Polymer Clay to Beading and Lampworking with all aspects of Fiber Arts. Her work has been in many Galleries and her Button line sold internationally. Beading began in the 60’s and has never lost its sparkly appeal.

FRANKIE BRACKLEY-TOLMAN: Signature member of the New England Watercolor Society; she is a fulltime painter whose paintings have been accepted into many national, regional and local juried exhibits. Represented by the Mill Brook Gallery in Concord, NH, Art 3 Gallery in Manchester, NH, and Redmond/ Bennett Gallery in Dublin, NH, she is a juried artist at the SAC Gallery. www.frankiebrackleytolman.com

SHANA BRAUTIGAM: owns Rooted in Clay pottery studio in Rindge, NH. There she creates hand-built wood-fired pottery, instruments, and sculptures. Shana is a state juried member of the League of NH Craftsmen, and sells her work throughout New England. She is also on the NH State Council on the Arts artist roster, and teaches classes, workshops, and school residencies. www.rootedinclay.com

ROBERT K. CARSTEN, PSA, CPS: Robert Carsten is a nationally acclaimed, award-winning artist who teaches workshops from Maine to Florida. Recipient of a Juror’s Choice Award at this year’s national exhibition at the Southern Vermont Art Center, he is a regular contributing writer to the Artist’s Magazine and the Pastel Journal and is a board member of the Pastel Society of America He is a much sought-after exhibitions juror, and his works have appeared in many publications. www.robertcarsten.com

RACHEL CHAMBERS: A graduate of Kutztown University in Pennsylvania, 2004 with a BFA in Fine Arts, Fibers. She also graduated from Tyler School of Art, Temple University, with an MFA in Fibers, 2007. Rachel has won the NICHE Award for Decorative Fiber Arts, and is exhibited nationally. She has taught at Wayne Arts Center, Mount Airy Learning Tree, Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia and is also an instructor at Glen Echo State Park, MD. Until recently, she was the professor of Fiber Arts and Textile Design at Kutztown University, PA. She now lives in Keene, working towards a certification in Elementary Education.

DAVID CLAYTON: David Clayton is an internationally known artist, teacher, writer and broadcaster. He holds a faculty position as Artist-in-Residence and Lecturer in Liberal Arts at Thomas More College of Liberal Arts, Merrimack, NH. He moved to the US to take up his current position from his native England in January 2009. His artistic training is in both the sacred art tradition of Byzantine iconography; and as a portrait painter in the style of Western classical naturalism, which he studied in Florence, Italy. He wrote, co-produced and presented the 13-part TV series about traditional art and culture The Way of Beauty, shown by Catholic TV, EWTN in 2010 and 2011. He has illustrated a number of children’s books published in the UK and the US. He writes for his weekly blog www.thewayofbeauty.org , which also has an archive of longer articles, streaming of his TV work, and a gallery of his art. He is the sacred-art writer for the highly influential and widely read New Liturgical Movement website, www.newliturgicalmovement.org.

ROSEMARY CONROY: Rosemary’s path has been long and winding—being a professional artist is her third career (after teaching computers to stockbrokers and promoting land conservation to Granite Staters.) She was inspired to fulfill her life-long dream of painting full-time after watching her former office building collapse on 9/11. Largely self-taught, she nevertheless has enjoyed ever-increasing success as an artist and believes that passion for your subject is just as important as any formal pedigree. www.studiobuteo.com

KATE DEAN: BA in mathematics and anthropology from Boston University, finishing an MFA in studio art from Johnson State College and Vermont Studio Center. Kate has exhibited at New England Weaver’s Seminar, Sharon Arts Center, and Jaffrey Civic Center, and has taught privately and at the Mariposa Museum and NH Weaver’s Guild. She studied with Randall Darwall, Els van Baarle, Claire Benn, and Anita Mayer and at Haystack, Penland, Harrisville Designs, ProChem, NEWS, and Surface Design Association conferences.

PETER DIXON: earned his BFA from Pratt Institute and has 18 years’ worth of experience teaching a wide variety of studio courses. Peter also teaches at the New Hampshire Institute of Art. Presently focused on the square as a format, he primarily uses the classical Renaissance technique of creating a monochromatic underpainting that is then glazed with transparent oil color. He has been represented by galleries in Concord, NH, Boston, MA, and Cape Cod.

JANET DUCHESNEAU: BA, Green Mountain College, VT; studied with Gerry Williams, NH’s artist laureate; ceramic artist and instructor for over 35 years; juried member of the League of NH Craftsmen. She has taught in clay at SAC since the 1980s, and now teaches in glass as well. She has studied glass with Jordana Korsen, Bandhu Dunham and Nancy Tobey (at Snow Farm), and with Marta Bernbaum. Janet’s work is available at the SAC Fine Craft Gallery, League shops, Tates Gallery (New Boston, NH), Woodworkers Gallery (Milford, NH), and in various shops in Newport, RI. Recently she has been working on collaborative pieces with Joy Raskin, SAC’s jewelry faculty.

MARGARET DWYER: MFA, 2008 from Vermont College of Fine Art. She works in several 2d and 3d mediums
(watercolor is her favorite) and is a signature member of many watercolor associations and has been included in numerous juried national and international competitions. Her work has been published in notable art publications that include: Splash 8, America’s Best Watercolors, Splash 9, the Best of Watercolor (North Light
Books), How Did You Paint That? (International Artist Books), as well as American Artist and Manhattan Arts International magazines.

SEAN DWYER: Sean is a regional artist specializing in figure painting and drawing from his studio in Harrisville, NH. He has taught Comic, Manga, and Anime illustration for over a decade at the Sharon Arts Center and at the DeCordova Museum Schools. He Graduated from the Philadelphia University of the Arts in 1984 and is thrilled to share his knowledge and expertise with artists of all levels of ability.

LAURA EDWARDS: earned her BA in Art with a focus in Art History from Plymouth State University, and a MAT in Museum Education from The George Washington University. She had an internship in education with The Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, MD, an internship with AFTA (Arts For The Aging), in Washington D.C., and has worked on a few projects with the Smithsonian Natural History Museum. Laura has also been an AmeriCorps Vista and an after-school arts instructor. She is a mixed media artist interested in Eco Art.

MARYLISE REILLY FAJAL: MFA Sorbonne University in Paris, France and an MA in English/French. Studied at The Art Academy in Paris, The Montparnasse Art Academy, and The Louvre Museum. International Career from 1985 to today includes Painted in Oils and Watercolors for over 30 years. Widely exhibited in the US and abroad (Paris, France, Syrian Cultural Center, Pavillon Baltard Damascus, Syria, National art event sponsored by the French Cultural Center and Syrian Culture Ministry), she has also had solo exhibits in Switzerland, Germany, England, Portugal, Paris, France and south of France. A working artist/educator, Marylise splits her time between several public and private schools and non-profits. www.Marylisefajal.com

MARY FISH: After retiring from the land of suits, Mary found joy developing long forgotten creative skills. After her first felting class, Mary declared this (felt) was it! She has been studying, experimenting, creating and teaching ever since. In addition to self study and experimentation, she has studied with Sharon Costello, Polly Stirling and Andrea Graham, among others.

MARY GOLDTHWAITE-GAGNE: Has been an art educator in the Monadnock region since 2007. She earned a Master’s degree in Art Education from UNH that same year. She has taught introductory courses, drawing, sculpture, book arts, fiber arts, and portfolio development. In 2008 she co-founded the *broke- Affordable Arts Fair, and she is one of the organizers of “The Thing in the Spring”, which is an annual 3-day music and art event in downtown Peterborough, NH. www.thethinginthespring.com

CONNIE GRAY: BS, Skidmore College; has taught Weaving and Fiber Arts for 20 years at SAC, also studied with Leslie Voiers, Nell Znamierowski, and taught at Harrisville Designs, NE Weavers Seminar, Fiber Arts Center, Amherst, MA, and privately. Also has studied Polymer Clay with Tory Hughes, Kathleen Dustin, Sandra McCaw, Marcia Herson, and Donna Kato. A workshop junkie! Member of National and Regional Guilds.

MARCIA HERSON: Marcia is a prizewinning mixed media artist and well-regarded teacher, who was featured
in Lapidary Journal and Studio PMC. Her work is shown in galleries throughout the U.S. www.maricaherson.com

MARY ISELIN: Mary studied painting at McGill University and with Robert Higgins, Alex Farquharson, and Robert Collier. Her work is on display at SAC’s Juried Artist Gallery and Monadnock Fine Art Gallery in Keene, NH. www.maryiselinfineart.com

ERYK JADASZEWSKI: Creator of replica armor and the owner/operator of Polish Hussar Supply Plus Dublin, NH, Eryk creates custom pieces of 16th- and 17thcentury Eastern European-style armor for re-enactors and collectors. A full suit of his hand-fashioned “Winged Hussar” armor was commissioned by and is in the permanent collection of the Polish Center Museum Chicopee, Mass. Eryk is also a professionally trained horticulturist for over 25 years. He holds certifications as a Nursery Professional, Landscape Contractor, and Arborist. Currently owner/operator of Moose Maple Nursery Dublin, NH. www.moosemaplenursery.com and www.polishhussarsupply.com

MARTY KELLEY: Attended School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and has an Ed. degree from the Univ. of Central Florida. Has authored and illustrated six children’s books and was selected as official illustrator for the 2005 NH Summer Reading Program. www.martykelley.com

GAIL KENDALL: Gail joined the faculty at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1987 after a decade as an
independent studio artist in St. Paul, Minnesota. Her research focuses on illuminated manuscripts and European
pottery and porcelain. Recent exhibitions include solo shows at the Sheldon Museum of Art at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln; LUX Center for the Arts, Nebraska; and St. Andrews-Sewanee School, Tennessee; and her work was included in the Minnesota Potters Tour; Karen Karnes’ Pottery Exhibition and Sale at Old Church, Demarest, New Jersey; and the American Pottery Festival at the Northern Clay Center, Minnesota. In 2009 Gail Kendall received a Lifetime Achievement Award for teaching and research from the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts.

LANA LEBLANC: Lana LeBlanc was born in the Ukraine, and was mentored in painting with oils by the wonderful Malceva Alla, a master of the Leningrad School of Painting in Russia. In September 2009, she was granted her first personal exhibition in Cherkassy, after 8 years of training with Malceva Alla. Lana, and her son, Stas, moved to the US to be with her husband Scott LeBlanc, in December, 2009. Lana now lives and paints in Hancock, NH. Her work is displayed in private collections in both Russia and the U.S., and has been featured on Russian television. Lana enjoys teaching all ages and abilities.

NANCY LEFKO: Nancy is a regional artist specializing in collage and mixed media. With a Master’s Degree in Education, Nancy taught elementary school for many years before starting a family and now combines her love of art with her passion for teaching. She teaches online workshops in collage and mixed media and her artwork has been collected internationally. She has been published numerous times in Somerset Studio; Cloth, Paper, Scissors; Art Journaling by Somerset Studio and Somerset Studio Gallery magazines. www.mycollageart.com.

TIM LEMIRE: is a practicing freelance artist. His commissioned work includes portraiture, still-lifes, landscapes, murals, character/tattoo designs, and web design. A RI School of Design BFA graduate, Tim is proficient with traditional drawing and painting mediums, from gouache to encaustic to airbrushing, as well as a variety of artistic digital software.

RHONDA MACLEOD: Studied photography at Stonehill College and Keene State College. Freelance photographer for more than 20 years. Currently an 8th-grade science teacher, she spends her free time taking pictures. Current president of Monadnock Camera Club.

MARIA M. MEAD: “Mia” graduated from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and moved to Peterborough, NH in 2008. Trained in oil painting but now working primarily in watercolor, she currently teaches in Boston. She paints throughout New England and France where she and her late husband traveled each
year. Member of the Salmagundi Club in New York City she shows there, at the Rhode Island Watercolor Society and has paintings in various small collections in the U.S.

JAMES MITSCHMYER: BFA, Maine College of Art in 2005 (ceramics); studied at The International Workshop for the Ceramic Arts in Tokoname, Japan. He uses various throwing and hand-building techniques to communicate spiritual ideas. James is the Clay Studio Manager at SAC. www.jamesmitschmyer.com

KARRIE MITSCHMYER: earned her BFA from Maine College of Art, focusing on extensive study and practice in clay and metal arts. Karrie participated in the International Workshop for Ceramic Arts (IWCAT) in Tokoname, Japan, where she studied Japanese ceramics, culture and woodfiring techniques. Karrie also holds a Master’s Degree in Art Education from Plymouth State University and is currently a professional art educator with a focus on ceramics.

JOE MONTROY: MFA from the Rochester Institute of Technology, BA from State University of New York at Potsdam, AFA from Munson Williams Proctor Institute, and a Certificate of Art Education from Saint Lawrence University. Joe teaches drawing, design and sculpture at Lakes Region Community College, and has taught at a wide variety of other institutions, such as Chester College of New England, Exeter Center for the Creative Arts, Andres Institute of Art, Old Forge Arts Center, Kimball Jenkins School of Art, and Rochester Institute of Technology, among others. He has participated in demos, lectures and conferences throughout the United States, from Louisiana, to Alabama to New York. He currently operates out of Catalyst Studios in Portsmouth, NH doing custom commission metalwork. www.josephmontroy.com

ROBERT O’BRIEN: has been a watercolor painter for over 30 years, focusing on landscape and architectural studies. He is featured in American Watercolor Magazine (2003) and in Splash 9, The Best of Watercolor (Oct. 2006.) www.robertjobrien.com

TARA POTTER: Tara has been involved in the Arts in many capacities for almost her whole life, with a concentration in the Performing Arts, and is an active participant in Community Theater and Dance. She studied applied arts during her years as an Education major at Rivier College in Nashua, NH, and continued to learn a variety of media after college as well. Tara became involved with rubber stamping and paper crafts about 10 years ago quite by accident, and discovered both a love and an affinity for the medium. Years of workshops and classes quickly lead to teaching and demonstrating the craft. Tara is excited to be a new member of the SAC family where she can share her techniques and enthusiasm with students of all ages. Tara lives in Greenfield, NH with her husband and 3 sons.

ELLA RANK: Whether as a Waldorf school parent or traveling and living in the US or abroad, the study of artistic traditions formally and informally has shaped Ella’s goals. While living in England, a love of the country’s sheep and their wool has cultivated her creativity towards recreating unique sheep and owls in fleece.

JOY RASKIN: BFA from the RI School of Design, MFA from the Univ. of MA. Joy has studied at Penland School of Crafts, Peters Valley Craftsmen, Haystack Mt. School of Crafts and the Gemology Institute of America and is a juried member of the League of NH Craftsmen and SAC Fine Craft gallery. Her flatware and fine jewelry has sold at various shows, including Craft Boston, Crafts at the Castle, ACC in Baltimore, the Philadelphia Craft Show and the Smithsonian. Her work is in the permanent collection of the White House. She has won many awards including an Artist Fellowship from The New Hampshire State Council on the Arts. Images of her work have been published in The Crafts Report, Boston Globe, Metalsmith and Southern Accents. www.joyraskin.com

CHRIS REID: Chris Reid has received numerous awards including the “Best in Show,” National Northeast Pastel Exhibition and the Pastel Journal Award, Pastel Painter’s of Maine’s 7^th annual international juried exhibit. Working en plein air, Reid’s work is “rich in color… landscapes with powerful abstract elements” (Art New England) Chris’s work can be seen at Gallery 4 India Street, Nantucket, MA, Aries East Gallery, Brewster, MA, Art 3, Manchester, NH, Sharon Arts Center, Peterborough, NH. Chris is a member of the NH Art Association, the Pastel Society of America, the NJ and NH Pastel Societies.

ALEXIA ROSOFF: received her BA from Williams College, in Art History and studio art, and an MA in Visual Media Arts from Emerson College. Alexia has studied communication design and digital fine art at MassArt, digital filmmaking at the New York Film Academy, and was a docent at the Harvard Art Museums. Her teaching goals are to encourage experimentation, to combine history and academic techniques with the vitality of new ideas, and to create a supportive classroom environment.

L.P. RUNYON: BFA in Sculpture from Maine College of Art. His work has been included in many group and solo exhibitions throughout the country. Metalwork includes fine art sculpture, production furniture, and commercial installations. He is also a teacher and coach at the Dublin School.

GARY RUUSKA: Following his studies at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Gary enjoyed a twenty-year career as a studio photographer at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. He is now a full-time artist working in colored pencil, acrylic, and graphite. His work is available at Sharon Arts Center, Peterborough, NH. www.artbygaryruuska.com

CYNTHIA LIEBLER SAARI: Cynthia Liebler Saari has been making jewelry and glass beads since 1995. Her work has been included in “1000 Glass Beads,” Lapidary Journal, the “Obsession” catalog, and other publications. Guest presenter at the Peabody Essex Museum, lampwork exhibition curator at Brookfield Craft Center, lampwork program founding consultant Corcoran College of Art and Design, and nationally recognized instructor, her work is known for its painterly compositions and use of color. Adjunct professor, Nichols College. www.clsaari.com

PAMELA SAWIN: Graduate of the Worcester Art Museum School and award studies at the MFA, Boston. Pamela’s paintings and Signature Gilded Art have received national recognition in several publications. She is a member of the Society of Gilders and a passionate educator in the gilding arts. Her gilded works range from restoration to her noted gildings on glass and clay. www.sawinarts.com

ROBERT SEAMAN: A graduate of Williams College, Artist in Residency at The Legacy Publishing Group, freelance illustrator. His work is available at the SAC Juried Artist Gallery. www.368art.com CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ROBERT SEAMAN.

NANCY TOBEY: A life-long love of glass brought Nancy Tobey to beadmaking in 1996. Her work in borosilicate glass is both colorful, and sculptural. Nancy shares her love of handmade glass through teaching and exhibiting in venues throughout the country. See her work online at www.nancytobey.com

CELESTE WASILEWSKA: BFA from School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and Tufts University. M.Ed. from Antioch New England. Celeste has taught at DeCordova Museum School, Harrisville Designs, Snow Farm, Worcester Center for Craft, and the NH Institute of Art.

KERI WIEDERSPAHN: A 2008 recipient of a NH State Arts Council Grant to pursue study with world-renowned iconographer Ksenia Pokrovsky, Keri is currently studying with Father Andrew Tregubov, another well-known inspired iconographer and priest of Holy Resurrection Russian Orthodox Church in Claremont, New Hampshire. Originally trained as a sculptor with a BFA from Parsons School of Design, Keri has been drawn to early sacred art of pre-Renaissance origins since living several years in France and being exposed to Russian Byzantine Iconography and Early Christian Art. Keri is committed to writing icons with a deep adherence to the rubrics of Iconographic canon, a commitment to prayer, and the freedom of artistic line grounded in a Byzantine approach

EVELYN WINTER: Evelyn uses nature and vibrant colors in her work. She received a BS in Art Education at Southern Connecticut State University and later earned her MsED in education. She is certified to teach art K-12. www.evelynwinter.com