Instructors: ( A - C ) ( D - K ) ( L - R ) ( S - Z )

Todd Leech
Todd Leech, a Cleveland born artist, is an active member of the regional art community, and a former instructor at the Brecksville Center for the Arts. Todd is a skilled potter, and slip cast artist. In the studio, Todd is making large platters with rich texture and unexpected glazes. www.toddleech.com

Carolyn E. Lewis: Plein Air demo
A commendable quality of Lewis' work is the feeling one experiences of actually being in the scene while viewing her strongly designed landscapes. Lewis says "Capturing the mood of the moment and the effect of light is an important goal in my work, but most of all, I enjoy the process of creating art and communicating the atmosphere and drama of my subject."

The art of Carolyn Lewis is inspired by nature, wildlife, and people. It is sensitive without being overly sentimental. Her commissioned portraits of individuals and animals, and her powerful landscapes, are steadily gaining acclaim in national art circles.

In September 2005, Carolyn's first book entitled Land and Light Workshop, Painting Mood and Atmosphere in Oils was released by North Light Books, and an accompanying video/DVD entitled Painting Mood and Atmosphere was released by Teaching Art, Ltd. Her work is also published in The Ultimate Guide to Painting from Photographs, edited by James Markle and Layne Vanover, North Light Books, October 2005. In addition, Carolyn is published as one of 6 artists featured in Artist's Photo Reference - Landscapes by Gary Greene, also published by North Light Books, 2001. Recently, she has written articles published in Paint Magazine for the Society for All Artists, UK. She has also had her work featured in The Artist's Magazine.

Signature membership status includes: Oil Painters of America, Illinois; Cincinnati Art Club, Ohio; Ohio Plein Air Society (Charter member); Akron Society of Artists, Ohio; Cuyahoga Valley Art Center, Ohio; Portrait Society of America (State Ambassador for Ohio); and The Portrait Painters Guild, Ohio. Carolyn also has General membership status in the American Impressionists Society, California, and Landscape Artists International. www.lewisstudio.com

Carolina Martin, M.Ed. “Kindred Spirits” and Silk Dyeing

Carolina Martin is the founder of Art on Wheels which has been “Delivering the Creative Process” for decades. Carolina recently received the Award for Achievement in Education by Northern Ohio Live. In addition to teaching several classes for students with disabilities at BCA her Art On Wheels clients will participate in the second “Spirit of Special People” art exhibit in the Gallery @ BCA in November of 2007.

Art on Wheels was born when Carolina's mother, Charlet First, battled lung cancer for the last six years of her life. To maintain her mobility, she drove a motorized electric cart. On weekly outings, Carolina and her family attached a wagon to the back of Charlet's cart that carried her lunch, oxygen tank, art supplies, and her granddaughter. To continue Charlet's positive spirit, her passion for the arts and her love for people, Art on Wheels uses the wagon to carry all of the supplies needed, for others to enjoy, as they conduct multidisciplinary art classes. Art On Wheels, Inc. provides high quality traveling hands on art activities in visual art, music, movement and drama. “We offer individualized curriculum design in response to client feedback - a combination that can't be beat! Through our commitment, experience, and expertise, since 1989, Art On Wheels, Inc. has established enriched artistic relationships with those we serve that will last lifetimes!” Contact Art on Wheels at www.artonwheels.us

Leslie McCafferty: Arts for Tots

Leslie McCafferty has been fortunate to pursue several interests in her adult life. In addition to a twenty-year engineering career, she studied water and acrylic painting with BCA artists Beverly Braun, Jane Slivka, Sandra Dennison and John Poti. An active BCA trustee, Leslie also volunteered as a Celebrity Artist, under the guidance of Medina water color artist, Bill Beal, and as the Celebrity Artist Chairperson for the 2005 American Diabetes Celebrity Art Auction and Gala. An artist since childhood, Leslie's goal is to harness the natural creative energies of children so they can build upon their artistic talent into adulthood. Leslie's work currently hangs at 2182 Bistro and Wine Bar in Brecksville. She is a member of the BCA Art Club and our Arts for Tots team.

Judy McCrodden: Scrapbook Crops

Sue Miranda: Ceramics

Sue Miranda holds a BA from Ohio University specializing in ceramics with post-graduate study in the medium. In addition to teaching at BCA, she is currently teaching at the Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood, Ohio. Sue has taught ceramics locally for the past 10 years and has exhibited her work locally.

Jack Mulhollen: O.W.S. - W.P.A.

Jack's specialty is watercolor, a medium he finds both 'elusive' and ultimately fascinating, a challenge every time a brush is put to paper. “I have been painting in watercolor for over 25 years, and am as excited today as I was at the beginning. The challenge is always there. It is exciting to see a 'good' painting develop... stopping at just the right moment... Finished”

Jack is affiliated with numerous art groups and holds full 'signature membership in the Ohio Watercolor Society and the Whiskey Painters of America [WPA], currently serving as president of the latter. Mulhollen has participated in exhibits that have honored him with over 15 'Best of Shows' and 'First' awards. His paintings have been selected by the OWS to be shown in three travel shows, 1988, 1990, and 2004. He is currently included in the “Creative Artist” book authored by Nita Leland.

Having spent many of his early childhood summers in rural Pennsylvania, his paintings reflect his fondness for the outdoors and nostalgia of the rustic past. Jack has been teaching classes, workshops, jurying art shows, conducting critiques, and doing demonstrations for various art groups for over 10 years. His paintings are collected by many private and 'corporate patrons, including Goodyear Tire Co., General Tire Co., Akron General Hospital, Brecksville City Hall, and others. One of BCA's first instructors, Jack spent 6 years teaching at the center. Welcome back!
Click Here for the Supply List... "Exploring Watercolor" with Jack Mulhollen.

Mydi: 35 mm and Digital Photography

After picking up her first camera at age 6 her journey in photography began. Mydi has watched as the industry and products changed over the years, and by changing with it, she brings perspective and experience to her work. Mydi will share ideas and techniques that will inspire you. She moved to the area 14 years ago from Pittsburgh and opened her studio, Mydi Photography, where she continues to work full time creating art and memories for her clientele. www.mydiphotography.com

Jeannie Oakar: Pottery

Jeannie Oakar has been working with clay for over 12 years. Jeannie has taught pottery and worked with children in Yellow Springs, Ohio, Scottsdale, Arizona and Cleveland, Ohio. A camp counselor for 5 years at Camp Christopher (Bath, Ohio), she found her passion for working with children.

She began working with clay in high school and continued in college at the University of Dayton. She currently works for the Positive Education Program, where she works with special needs high school students. Jeannie also runs a small company, SpringBoard Artists Inc., which connects local artists with galleries in Cleveland. SpringBoard has been very successful and has shown over 30 local artists within the Tremont/Ohio City area.

Beth O'Kain Kilbane: Poetry Workshop

Beth O'Kain Kilbane is dedicated to creating a stimulating environment for students to further their craft. Her teaching approach is rooted in the belief that each work of art is a unique gift to be enjoyed with an open mind. Her poetry and short fiction have appeared in several chapbooks and she is currently pursuing her Masters of Fine Arts in creative writing with the Northeast Ohio Universities Consortium (NEOMFA program).

Karen Pflaum: Basket weaving

Karen began her weaving career in 1985 by taking classes at the Woodshed in Medina and later became their instructor. Always striving for excellence, she has attended many workshops and conventions over the years. Karen has received award ribbons for Best of Show, 1st place and 2nd place in many area competitions. She is a member of the Medina County Basket Weavers Guild and Association of Michigan Basket Makers. Karen participates in the Hinckley Arts Show and Art Mart in Brecksville.

John E. Poti: Secrets of Classical Painting

Viewers of works produced by John Poti are always amazed at his versatility. His paintings are also quite diverse in style. Throughout his years of experience, he has been able to master a large variety of materials and technique. His subjects can range from Amish and circus lifestyles to water and picnic scenes, as well as still life.

Although John had shown art talent at an early age, he did not receive formal art classes until he attended Ohio Wesleyan University. After receiving his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, his talent was further developed at the Cleveland Institute of Art, where he also earned a degree. After acquiring his art training, John spent many years teaching this subject to pupils ranging from elementary-age to high school, and even adults, in the Cleveland, Ashtabula and Bedford schools. While at Bedford, he served in the capacity of Supervisor of Art for the entire system. His past teaching experiences also include adult classes at the renowned Cleveland Museum of Art.

During his classroom years, John continued to experiment with and develop assorted materials and creative techniques. He describes his work as “realistic endeavors on sound artistic principles, with a light interpretation.”

Ronnie Rajkovich: Learn to Quilt

Ronelle Bly Rajkovich is one of the founding members of BCA. She is a member of Western Reserve Anonymous Quilt Guild, Stan Hywet Needlework Guild and the Contemporary Cloth Artists, an affiliate of the Textile Arts Alliance of the Cleveland Museum of Art. She has taught numerous classes for local quilt and sewing shops in northeastern Ohio and has won awards at Stan Hywet's Mayfair. Ronnie also teaches for the Northeastern Ohio Regional Quilt Council. She has taken many classes in Fiber at the Cleveland Institute of Art and is in the process of publishing her own retail patterns. Ronnie has many original designs and is interested in teaching classes and workshops to any group. Ronnie taught English at Brecksville High School for 9 years and was very involved in theater work for the high school, Brecksville Little Theater and Brecksville Theater On The Square. She also taught Performing Arts and Creative Drama at Old Trail School in Bath, Ohio for 10 years.

Kristin Raybuck: Cardio Kickboxing and Cardio for Kids
Kristin Raybuck has been dancing for twenty years and teaching dance for the past nine years. She has danced at various studios including The Broadway Dance Center in New York City, Dee Hillier, and Josh Widick. Kristin has taught many different styles of dance to all ages at the University of Akron, Kent State University, Get Hep Swing, Sarah Morrison Dance, PRANA Dance, and held dance workshops at other various studios throughout Ohio. Although she specializes in hip-hop, jazz, and kickboxing she has also studied ballet, tap, latin, swing, and ballroom styles. Kristin has choreographed for various plays, performances, competitions, and philanthropic events. She was the Captain of the Brecksville Honeybees dance team, and was on the Kent State Dance Team. She earned a dual Bachelor's degree in Interpersonal and Organizational Communications from Kent State University and a Master's in Education in Adult Learning and Organization Development from Cleveland State University.

JoAnn Rencz: Drawing, Oil Pastel, Drawing at the Gazebo

JoAnne Rencz is a hit with her students... whether they gather at the Brecksville Gazebo for an on-site sketching class or learn pastels in one of her Saturday drawing sessions.

Penny Rieck and Dee Hall: Hat Making

Penny Rieck was educated in the European art of couture millinery at the Virginia Marti College of Art and design. She designs in all mediums- felt, fur, leather, sinemay and fabric covered buckram frames.

Christina Roytz:  Private Cello Lessons

Christina Roytz was a 2002 graduate of Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School and is currently completing her studies in cello and Music Education at Cleveland State University. Christina's playing experience includes performances with the Mansfield Symphony, the Ashland Symphony,  the River Cities Symphony Orchestra and the National Festival Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Lucas Foss at Carnegie Hall in New York City in 2001 and 2002.  She has had solo appearances with the BBHHS Chamber Orchestra, the Akron Youth Orchestra, and most recently, the Suburban Symphony Orchestra. Christina's teachers have included Deborah Newecomb of the Akron Symphony, Michael Carerra of the Arcata String Quartet and she is currently studying with Brian Dumm of the Cleveland Orchestra.

James L Roytz:  Music Theory, Private Percussion Lessons

Mr. Roytz is a retired music teacher from the Brecksville-Broadview Heights City School District where he served as the high school Director of Bands and Music Department Chairperson from 1984-2005.  During his twenty one year career at BBHHS, Mr. Roytz was responsible for the marching band, concert bands, jazz ensemble and the musical "pit" orchestra.  In addition to his instrumental duties, he taught music theory and music appreciation. Many of his music theory students successfully continues their music studies at the college level. Since his retirement in 2005, Mr. Roytz has continued his position as the musical director of the Brecksville-Broadview Heights Community Band, and is currently performing as a percussionist in the Lakeland Civic Band and the Suburban Symphony Orchestra.

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Instructors: ( A - C ) ( D - K ) ( L - R ) ( S - Z )

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