Teacher Bios

Judy Baker has sold and exhibited her sculpture, porcelain, and stoneware pottery in local shows and galleries. Her introduction to ceramics began while she was a business major at Penn State. Years later, she enrolled in classes at the Erie Art Museum, and since 2001 she has had a private studio adjacent to ClaySpace. Since February 2007, she has assisted Kathe Umlauf with ClaySpace demonstrations and open studios.

Art Becker was born in Erie, Pennsylvania and studied art with renowed watercolorist Vitus J. Kaiser in the early 1970's. He later studied photography at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale from 1977 to 1979. He worked as a commercial photographer in the Fort Lauderdale/Miami area before returning to Erie in 1989. Back in Erie, both his commercial and fine art photography have merited over Sixty Four local and national awards. He has been featured in articles in PEI Photography Magazine 2000, View Camera Magazine 2003, and Faith Magazine 2007. His photography has been in Time Magazine, ESPN Magazine, Hallmark Cards, A&E Network, American Express, Random House Publishing, Faith Magazine, Visa Gold, British Airways, and Windham Hill Records. His goal has always been to bridge the gap between fine art and commercial photography. He enjoys the work of Vitus J. Kaiser, Barton L. Gilmore, Ansel Adams, Peter Turner and Miles Davis. He lives with his wife Kathy their son Daniel and daughter Kristie on the shores of Lake Erie. You can view his photography at www.artbeckerphoto.com

“I learned a great deal and am amazed at the improvements I have made in
6 short weeks”

“I learned more than I thought I would and every class was different and interesting. Art was fantastic and I really enjoyed his sense of humor”

“I learned how to better myself at a hobby I thoroughly enjoy”

“Art taught me that photography is much more than people, sunsets, & animals. It is a personal yet public perspective!” -ADVANCED


Greg Gehner began experimenting with welding, in his friend’s garage, for a high school art project that later led him into a sculpture program and eventually metalsmithing and blacksmithing at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. He established his studio, Transit Forge, with a move to Pennsylvania and marriage to Metals/Jewelry Professor Cappy Counard of Edinboro University. One of his commissioned works was the bike rack outside of the Erie Art Museum

Esther Sung A. Hong received undergraduate and graduate degrees in Oriental Art in Korea with a focus in landscapes. She has exhibited and sold her work in galleries across the United States. “This class was both enjoyable and worthwhile. It taught me something unique about oriental art style and philosophy. The ‘Zen’ quality of oriental painting was relaxing.”

“She worked with each individual separately and drew examples to help us learn as we went along”

“This class was a lot of fun. I learned something new that my school does not have.”

“Esther Hong is a wonderful teacher - taking the time to explain and demonstrate as well as giving individual attention where needed.

Kathy Jury has literally taught hundreds of people the art of jewelry making when she owned The Bead Shoppe in Erie for five years. After closing the store in November 2008, Kathy continues to share her passion with local residents. In addition to teaching at the Erie Art Museum, she also teaches classes at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center and at Asbury Woods for Millcreek Parks and Recreation. Kathy is primarily self taught, and has been creating her own jewelry pieces and selling them for the past 17 years.
http://www.edinborobeads.com/

Hiroami Katayama is currently working on a MFA in painting at Edinboro University and has her BFA in Traditional Japanese Painting from Joshibi University of Art and Design. She has volunteered with the Erie Art Museum since the fall of 2011, teaching visitors about the process and history of Japanese painting. Hiroami has had artwork in shows across Eastern America, Japan and the United Kingdom.

Ehren Knapp resides in Erie, Pennsylvania, yet has lived and traveled extensively throughout the United States. He studied at the Laguna College of Art and Design in Laguna Beach, CA, Studio Art Centers International in Florence, Italy, and earned his BFA from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Edinboro, Pa, graduating Magna cum laude. He is also a visual arts instructor at the Neighborhood art House in Erie, PA.

Pooja Mehta is a fiber guild artist who works with textile designing and embroidery. She lives in Erie but travels frequently to India where she has a boutique with her own designs. She works closely with UNICEF and donates many of her proceeds to the organization.

Dan and Jan Niebauer have been teaching and working in the jewelry field for over 35 years. They both hold master’s degrees from Edinboro University and are members of the Jeweler’s Vigilance Committee of America. Dan and Jan are the owners of Ralph Miller Jewelers.
http://www.created-uniques.com/

“The class exceeded my expectations, I enjoyed it and found it educational as well.”

Joseph Allen Popp has managed the Erie Art Museum Frame Shop and Gallery for the past 15 years. Joe’s framing skills encompass everything from matting, mounting and framing museum exhibits to archival framing of cherished family heirlooms for our region as well as large corporate framingprojects.

“Right from the start you could feel Mr. Popp’s genuine love of teaching the class”

“Mr. Popp had my full attention. He was patient with us and very detailed”
“I know for sure I’ll never look at framed art the way I have in the past. What an awakening”

Scott Rispin began his 30+ years of artistic pursuits developing logos, carving signage and hand painting signs in his hometown of South Lake Tahoe, California. Since settling in Erie in 1990, Scott has been a working professional in nearly every aspect of the commercial arts; silk screening, custom graphics and signage and murals. He received his BA in Art Educationfrom Mercyhurst College in 2003, and his MFA in painting from Edinboro University in 2008. Scott also currently teaches drawing and visual art classes at Penn State Behrend. Scott has won awards for his sculpture, painting, and public art projects. As an instructor he emphasizes individual achievement and encourages a fun and energetic classroom atmosphere. See Scott's work on his website: http://scottrispin.com/
“Instructor was casual, interactive and knowledgeable”

Deborah Sementelli-Hoenes attended the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and received a BFA from Edinboro University. She has been teaching life drawing classes at Villa and the Erie Art Museum for the past five years. “Deb does a great job of giving suggestions with out criticizing. I have learned a great deal”

“Good teaching methods, gentle critiques with a variety of activities.”

“Deb did a good job considering the different levels of experience of students. She was always pleasant and patient.”

“This class renewed my love for drawing” –life drawing

Jude Shingle is the Education Coordinator at the Erie Art Museum. He holds a degree in Studio Art from Allegheny College and has taught a number of youth art programs in the Erie area. Jude is an accomplished filmmaker and has a passion for drawing, cartooning and animation.

Wilda Sundberg has been an instructor at the Museum for 38 years. She has had solo exhibitions at the Erie Art Museum, Theil College, the Schuster Gallery, and the Waterford Community Center. Wilda is also a juried member of the Pittsburgh Watercolor Society and a founding member of the Northwestern Pennsylvania Artists Association.

“Wilda’s manor of teaching was gentle and accepting no matter what level each student happened to be.”

“Painting on location was a first for me, now, joining Wilda’s class had made this less intimidating.”

“Wilda wants us to paint in our own style and encourages us to do so.”