Teacher Bios
Victoria Angelo started to dance when she was 7 years old in her home village in Uganda. She has received grants from the PA Council on the Arts to pass on her dances to her daughters. She believes that Acholi music and dance is very beautiful and important. She believes it communicates strong African values and it teaches African history. She has performed with Martha Sam and their daughters at festivals and churches in the region.
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
Mike Bocianowski graduated Magna Cum Laude from Edinboro University, where, after graduation, he was invited to become a staff instructor in Animation and Cartooning. He has lectured and presented his work in San Diego, Atlanta, Charlotte NC, Columbus OH, Detroit , Pittsburgh, Toronto Canada, and in his hometown of Erie. His first published work, the five volume series, "Chuck the Ugly American" was launched in Comic Library International in 1998 and received praise from "The Simpsons" creator, Matt Groening. His current series "Yets" has also garned critical acclaim. To view Mike's work visit www.artistmb.com
Christine French holds an MFA from Kent State University. She recently relocated to North East after retiring from her career as a school art teacher in the Cleveland area, where she also taught at the Cleveland Institute of Art. She has exhibited widely in the Midwest.
“This was the most interesting and enjoyable class I have taken at the Erie Art Museum”
“Christine was enthusiastic and most helpful.”
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/
Courtney E. McManus grew up in Dayton, Ohio and graduated Cum Laude with a BFA in New Media, from the University of Toledo concentrating in photography. Courtney currently lives in Erie, has worked as a Photo Lab assistant at Edinboro University, and managed to set up her own private darkroom in the basement of her home. Courtney uses photography, in conjunction with video, installation, and mixed medias, to explore concepts and presentations of identity.
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.
“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 framing projects.
“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 Education from 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”
Marta Sam learned Acholi song, dance, and drumming from her parents in the Sudan. She remembers when the moon was very bright the village would drum, sing, and dance in the fresh air because there was no TV. She has been dancing for over 36 years. Dancing and singing brings her great joy. She sings and dances to celebrate weddings and to mourn at funerals. She also believes it is very good exercise. When she has a backache after work she goes to her basement and dances and dances until she feels better and relaxed. She says, “When I sing songs in my language I feel like me. I am proud of it.”
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.
Jessica Stadtmueller holds a BFA from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in printmaking and ceramics. She has studied different styles of bellydance for the past five years. Jessica has done bellydance workshops at the YMCA and Gannon University. “Very interesting, would take again...she teaches the background of what bellydancing is and about the different cultures.”
“I learned a lot about belly dancing and added on to what I previously knew.”
“Jessica is a great detailed teacher”
“Jessica is very professional and friendly”
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.”
Eric Thayer was born into a soldier’s family in Fort Bragg, North Carolina and spent his childhood living in Georgia, Maryland, and New York. He spent his senior year of high school in central Ohio, where master potter Bill Hunt introduced him to clay. Eric later relocated to Virginia, studied graphic design and played varsity lacrosse at Marymount University. He then moved back to Ohio, and graduated from the University of Toledo in 2008 with degrees in both Ceramics and Art History. He has worked as a ceramic studio assistant at U. of T. and the Toledo Museum of Art. Currently he is the Technical Assistant for the Ceramics Department at Edinboro University, and he has exhibited his work regionally in PA and New York.
“Eric helps without being pushy, corrects without being harsh and truly seems to love his craft and passes that on to his students.”
“Even though I am not good at this, he inspires me to want to be better.”
“Eric was always willing to help; interested in his students understanding the process but also wants us to have fun.”
Kathe Umlauf is an award winning sculptor with works in many private and public collections, including the Erie Art Museum. Currently she is a Pennsylvania Rostered Artist, creating large ceramic tile murals. Her training is a curious mix of the Post-modern, from Tyler School of Art, and the Classical, from The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, where she was the recipient of many awards. She teaches sculpture and pottery at Clayspace.
“I always learn new techniques and the opportunity to create and explain the possibilities”
|
