Instructor Biographies

2009 - 2010 Faculty

CATALINA AGUIRRE HOFFMAN graduated magna cum laude from Florida Atlantic University with a B.F.A. in art and art education and studied at Penland School of Crafts. She has been working with clay for 12 years. She continued her studies with noted ceramicists Ron Meyers, Chuck Hindes, Toshiko Takeazu, John McCoy, John Foster and others. Currently, she is the Artist in Residence for the Boca Raton Museum of Art’s collaboration with local elementary schools. She works with students of all levels producing, in multiple media, pieces inspired by the museum’s permanent collection. She also teaches the Boca Museum’s “Education Mornings” program for current exhibitions and the “Meet a Master” program, an after-school program that enables children to learn about a master artist on exhibit at the Museum.

MILES BATT resides in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. His credentials include over 205 major awards and consummate watermedia skills gained from more than 50 years involvement as artist, teacher and author. Elected to 15 watercolor societies, including NWS, AWS and Watercolor USA Honor Society, he is author of The Complete Guide to Creative Watercolor.

AMY BERKOWITZ holds a B.F.A. from the California Institute of the Arts and a M.A.T. from the University of the Arts. After graduation, Amy spent 20 years as an Art Director in New York. She also worked as an Animator for Hanna Barbera on such shows as Scoobydoo and the Flintstones. She has taught art on the middle school, high school and college levels.

JOSEPH BRANDOM holds a B.S. in silversmithing and jewelry from Indiana State University, and an M.F.A. in metalsmithing from the University of Georgia. He has been working with metals since 1970. His work is in private collections around the world and is included in the collections of Sony Corporation, Nissan of North America, University of Southern Mississippi, Platinum Technology, Southern Progress Company, Inc. (the corporate head of Southern Accents), Indiana State University and University of Georgia.

CELIA BUCHANAN holds a B.A. in 2-D surface design from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, Dundee, Scotland and an M.A. in arts management in education from the City University, London. Her work has been featured in galleries around the world, notably the Institute of Education, London, National Exhibition Center, U.K., The London Design Center and the City of Hallandale Culture Center. The author of several books and magazine articles on surface design and fiber arts, she now teaches in the U.S. and works as
a materials consultant for art material manufacturers in Europe, Australia and the United States.

CHRIS BURLINI holds a B.F.A. from the Illinois Institute of Art. After graduation, he continued his education in Italy at the Florence Academy of Art, where he learned the importance of rudimentary drawing, outline proportion and shadowing and the important concepts of systematic progression. Burlini's introduction to art came through the eyes of his father and grandfather, well-known sculptors in the Chicago area. Now in Miami, Burlini draws from the years of experience in pursuit of the arts. His work has been exhibited and collected throughout the United States and Europe.

PAULA CHAMLEE and husband Michael Smith are internationally acclaimed photographers working together, yet independently. Between them, their photographs have been collected by over 140 art museums worldwide. Their photographs have been featured in more than 300 exhibitions and been published in eleven monographs, among other publications.

JOANNE CIRCLE received a B.A. from Friends World College. For the past 29 years, she has owned and operated a textile studio on Vancouver Island, Canada where she exploresdifferent applications of felt-making. Her explorations with felt for one-of-a-kind hats and garments led her to use handmade felt to construct sculpture. She has given felting workshops throughout the United States, Canada, Hungary, Germany and Norway. She has exhibited, taught and lectured throughout North and South America and Europe, is included in many international art collections, and has recently completed a “Building Community Through the Arts” project.

MARY BELLE CORDELL studied ceramics at the Penland School and the Virginia Douglas School of Porcelain Art. She is a Certified Porcelain Teacher with the World Organization of China Painters. Her work has been published in House and Garden, The World Organization of China Painting and The International Porcelain Art magazines. Her award-winning porcelain has been exhibited at Neiman Marcus in Fort Lauderdale as one of the "Best of the Best." Her work has been exhibited and collected throughout the southeastern United States.

DONALD C. DIETZ holds a B.A. from the University of Maryland. In the early 1970s, he studied gemstone cutting, silver/goldsmithing and fabrication techniques in Taipei, Taiwan. Upon returning to the United States, he studied faceting, advanced smithing, jewelry design and gem recognition at the Patuxent Lapidary Guild of Maryland. He has been an active gem cutter and jeweler for 30 years and is vice president of the Florida Gold Coast Gem and Mineral Society. Don has lectured extensively on jewelry and the lapidary arts and has been published in the prestigious Lapidary Journal and Art Jewelry magazine.

JACQUELIN DOWNEY holds a B.S. in Art Education from Pratt Institute. She has also studied at both Florida International University and Florida Atlantic University in advanced Art Education. She has taught art in middle and high schools throughout South Florida and at the Museum of Art, Fort Lauderdale. Her works have been exhibited at the Museum of Art, Fort Lauderdale and the Women's Historical Coalition.

RICHARD FRANK holds an M.F.A. in painting from the Tyler School of Art, Temple University and over the years has had a diverse career in the arts. He has held positions as a museum curator (curator of education at the Norton Museum of Art and the Boca Raton Museum of Art), a university instructor, gallery director and host for arts programming for public television, but throughout, he has always been a painter first and foremost. Watercolor is his preferred medium, with flora and landscape the favored subject. He has presented numerous exhibitions throughout the United States and Europe and has been the recipient of numerous awards and is the holder of two Artists Fellowships from the state of Florida. His work is included in over 35 public and museum collections, including the Butler Institute of American Art, Norton Museum of Art, Boca Raton Museum of Art and Society of the Four Arts.

CARLA GOLEMBE holds a B.A. in Fine Arts from Bennington College and a M.F.A. in painting from the University of Guanajuato/Instituto Allende in Mexico. She is the Illustrator of 12 children's books (five of which she wrote) that have been published in the United States. She is currently working on a 6 book series that will be published in Taiwan. Her picture books have won awards from the New York Times, Parent's Choice, American Folklore Society and the Hawaii Music Awards. She has exhibited in major galleries throughout the United States and is represented in many corporate and private collections. She has taught at Newbury College, Maryland College or Art and Design and Maryland Institute College of Art.

SUSAN HANSSEN holds a B.F.A. from Syracuse University. After graduation, she spent 26 years as an art director in New York, Denver and Dallas. Her work is recognized nationally, and she continues to exhibit in many juried exhibitions. She is an award-winning member of the Gold Coast Watercolor Society, National Association of Women Artists and the Boca Raton Museum of Art - The Artist Guild. In 2004, she received first place in the Boca Museum Artists of Art - The Artist Guild Biennial Exhibition.

BOB HERTZ holds a B.A. from Penn State and later did his graduate work in drawing, painting and color theory at the Barnstone He studied under the personal direction of Myron Barnstone. He uses his successful organizational and communication skills to introduce others to the joys and the creation of studio arts.

TERESA KIRK attended Emporia State Teachers College. She has studied with nationally known artists including Ingrid Lender, Miles Batts, Diane Nance and Sue Archer. She serves as director of operations for the Florida Watercolor Society and workshop chair for the Gold Coast Watercolor Society. She has served as president of Florida Watercolor, the Everglades Artist Guild and East Hampton Guild.

KAREN KLEIN received her B.F.A. in Studio Art and M.S. degree in Art Education and Art Therapy from Florida State University. She also studied at the Maryland Institute College of Art, Florida International University and the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale. She has taught art in the Broward County Public schools since 1988. She has completed numerous trompe l'oeil murals throughout South Florida, and her work has been exhibited and collected throughout the southeastern United States.

EYDI LAMPASONA received her M.F.A. from Vermont College, Union University and her B.F.A. from Florida Atlantic University. She has obtained numerous national and international awards for her mixed media work and has exhibited in museums and galleries throughout North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. She is a signature member of the National Watercolor Society, National Collage Society, the International Society of Experimental Artists and the Society of Layerists in Multi-Media. Teaching is one of her strongest denominators; by helping others reach their expressive freedom. She also teaches national and international art workshops and has been published in, The Painters Workshop, Composition and Design and Acrylic Revolution, both published by North Light Books. Additional publications are, The Art of Layering: Making Connections and Collage in All Dimensions. She has been accepted into Who's Who in American Art since 2004.

MILES LAVENTHALL received his M.F.A. from State University of New York, Buffalo, majoring in sculpture/drawing/mixed media, and a B.A. from State University College Brockport, New York, majoring in painting and ceramics/sculpture. Miles has been an educational innovator for the past 20 years at many universities throughout Florida, Oklahoma and New York. Miles has exhibited in galleries throughout the United States and Canada, with solo exhibits in Washington, D.C., New York, Florida and Canada. He is represented in many prestigious international corporate and private collections, as well as publications throughout the United States.

JANE LEVY holds a B.F.A. from the Art Institute of Chicago specializing in painting. She has worked in wood, photography, ceramics, textiles and printmaking, but is now focusing her attention on enameling, lapidary, metal-smiting and Art Clay. She is a Master Instructor in Art Clay and was Art Clay's Eastern Director of Education as well as working in research and development. She has taught classes and workshops extensively throughout the United States. Winner of many awards, she is represented in prestigious collections throughout the United States and Asia.

LILA LEWENTAL holds a B.F.A. from the School of Visual Arts in New York City. She worked in New York as a Graphic Designer and Art Director as well as working with many design firms, magazines and corporate organizations. Since moving to Florida, she has specialized in enameling, metal smithing, glass bead making, beading techniques and glass fusion. She is a member of the Palm Beach Enamel Guild, Enamel Guild South and Florida Society of Goldsmiths.

CHRISTINE LYONS holds a B.A. from Wheaton College, majoring in printmaking and drawing. She is a national board-certified art teacher for ages 6 to 11. Since 1979, she has taught art, art history and literature. She studied printmaking at the Art Institute of Chicago and literature at St. Anne's College, Oxford. Christine's work is decorative and original mixed media with an emphasis on color-field painting. She is also an avid jewelry designer. Her work is sold throughout the United States. As an educator, she has presented for the Florida Art Education Association and the National Art Education Association. An avid gardener, she has designedseveral national award-winning gardens and was recognized by Scott's Miracle-Gro as Classroom Gardener of the Year in 2001. In 2008, she received first prize for school beautification gardening from the National Garden Association.

JANE MCINTYRE holds a B.F.A. from the University of Connecticut. She continued her studies in Art Therapy from New York University. Jane has exhibited extensively and won many awards throughout the southeastern United States. She is a member of the National Association of Women Artists, Boca Raton Museum of Art - The Artists' Guild and Women in the Visual Arts. THOMAS McKINLEY holds a B.M. and M.M from the University of Cincinnati and an A.M. and PhD from Harvard University. He is presently Professor of Music Theory at the Conservatory of Music at Lynn University.

THOMAS MCKINLEY holds a B.M. and M.M. from the University of Cincinnati and an A.M. and Ph.D. from Harvard University. He is presently Professor of Music Theory at the Conservatory of Music at Lynn University.

MICHAEL MINK holds a B.A in commercial advertising photography from Rochester Institute of Technology and a B.S. in education from SUNY at Brockport, New York. He has been a commercial/advertising photographer for over 45 years where he has worked with many Fortune 500 companies and been published in countless media outlets. Michael is also an active member of NAPP.

LINDA PHELPS received her B.F.A. from Madonna University and holds an M.F.A. with honors and recommendations from Cranbrook Academy of Arts in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Studying under artists in residence, Carl Toth and David Hilliard, she received the Booth Scholarship in her first year of study. At Cranbrook she explored other media and was involved in department critiques. She was invited to Harvard University to study under visual studies department head and renowned author, John Stilgoe. Her works have been shown in museums and galleries and are included within numerous private collections.

ELIZABETH REED holds a B.F.A. in illustration from Cornish College of the Arts, Seattle. She studied fine art painting, drawing and printmaking at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Her Visual Archaeology series has been locally, regionally and internationally exhibited and recognized. Elizabeth combines drawings with paintings on multiple levels while experimenting with traditional and modern techniques. She is a signature member of the Boca Raton Artist’s Guild, the treasurer of the National Association of Women Artists, a featured artist on www.foliolink.com and is one of the recipients of the Armory Watch for Excellence Award. She was chosen by the editors of Florida International Magazine for their Artists’ Showcase in 2007 and 2009.

WILLIAM REED studied sculpture at the University of Portland, University of Mexico and the Academia Bella Arta in Carrara, Italy. Willie has worked, lectured and taught stone sculpture internationally for many years. His award-winning work has been exhibited in many galleries throughout the United States, Europe and South America. His sculptures are represented in major corporate and individual collections throughout the world.

GREGORY ROSS has been a photojournalist, commercial and fine art photographer for the past 25 years, providing him with a wealth of experience within photographic disciplines on national and international levels. He lectures and teaches workshops at universities, schools and photographic centers. He also serves on the board of directors for the Palm Beach County Film & Television Commission and is a member of the National Press Photographers Association. He has exhibited fine art and editorial preservation of worldwide culture
sustainability and the environment.

LAUREN SHAPIRO holds a B.F.A. in studio art with an emphasis in ceramics from Florida Atlantic University. Her work has been exhibited at the Ritter Gallery and the University Center Gallery at Florida Atlantic University. She is currently utilizing techniques from printmaking, drawing and hand-building to create detailed and unique sculptures from clay. She first began teaching multi-media art classes to children through the Boca Raton Museum of Art, where she continues to work with and inspire her students.

OLIVIA SHELLEY holds a B.A. in Art History from the University of Pennsylvania and an M.A. in Art History from Goddard College. She has been a Lecturer and Docent in major museums such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Rodin Museum. She speaks regularly in Santa Fe, New Mexico and other art-related venues throughout the country. Mrs. Shelley teaches at Florida Atlantic University, Nova Southeastern and Blue Ridge Community College in North Carolina.

MARC SITKIN holds a B.F.A. from the Rochester Institute of Technology. He has been pursuing a career as a photographer, printmaker and businessman since his graduation. Marc's experience as a teacher goes back to pre-Photoshop days, when he taught color photography, large format photography and the zone system. He has since been immersed in digital imaging. Marc has won multiple awards in the advertising industry, and is represented in collections throughout the United States.

ROXENE SLOATE holds a B.A. in art history from Smith College. She has studied at the Kansas City Art Institute, the Art Students League of New Yorkand with Graham Nickerson, Miro Antic, Philip Pearlstein and Timothy Hawksworth. She is the membership chair of the National Association of Women Artists and is a member of the Boca Raton Museum of Art –The Artists’ Guild. She has exhibited extensively and received numerous awards throughout the United States.

KRIS SMITH graduated from DePauw University and began her career in the Washington D.C. area where she created over 3,500 painted and sculptured portraits of sports figures, politicians and famous, as well as private, citizens. Two of her portraits hung in The White House during the Ford and Carter administrations. Her sculpted portrait, Marionettes, was chosen to be one of Neiman Marcus' "10 Most Unusual Gifts in the World" for their 1997 Christmas catalog, which resulted in guest appearances on Oprah, MSNBC, Good Morning America and an article in People Magazine.

MICHAEL SMITH and wife Paula Chamlee are internationally acclaimed photographers working together, yet independently. Between them, their photographs have been collected by over 140 art museums worldwide. Their photographs have been featured in over 300 exhibitions and have been published in eleven monographs, among other publications.

SID WALESH holds a B.B.A. and M.B.A. from the University of Wisconsin and has done post-graduate studies at Florida International University. He has been a sculptor by avocation for over 25 years working in wood, stone and clay. He has exhibited in and won local juried sculpture competitions. His abstract sculptures are in private collections throughout the United States. He is a founder of Miami's New World School of the Arts and has had an extensive career in Art Education, Art Administration and Higher Education Administration.

BARBARA WASSERMAN holds a B.S. in Art Education from Hofstra University and a M.A. in Art Education from New York University. Past exhibitions include the Camino Real Gallery, Boca Raton; Society of the Four Arts, Palm Beach; The Norton Gallery, West Palm Beach; Allan Stone Gallery, New York City; Misrachi Gallery, Mexico City; and Ken Elias Gallery, Palm Beach. Permanent collections include the University of Texas Museum, Museum of Art, Fort Lauderdale and the Boca Raton Museum of Art. Collectors include Lopez Portillo, former President of Mexico; Fred Zimmerman, film producer; and Vicki Carr, entertainer. She is a member of the National Association of Women Artists and 2+3 Professional Artist Organization.

JERRY WEISS has taught for 16 years at the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts in Connecticut and presents week-long portrait painting workshops at art schools nationwide. Weiss studied drawing with Roberto Martinez in Miami, Florida and painting at the Art Students League and the National Academy in New York City. He has had one-man exhibitions at the Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts, the Boca Raton Museum of Art, and galleries in New York, Boston, New Jersey, and Maine. His paintings are represented in numerous public, private and corporate collections, including the New Britain Museum of American Art; the Boca Raton Museum of Art; the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston; Pfizer, Inc., in Groton, Connecticut; Debevoise and Plimpton, New York and the Harvard Club of New York City. Weiss has taught workshops and lectured in Colorado, Florida, Maine, New York, and Washington. He is listed in Who’s Who in American Art and Who’s Who in the United States. Current representation includes The Cooley Gallery, Old Lyme, Connecticut, Ingram Art and Antiques, Wiscasset, Maine, and Portraits Inc., New York. Weiss is a contributing editor for the Artist’s Magazine, authoring the “Master Class” column.

The Art School, 801 W. Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton, FL 33486. Phone: 561.392.2503