Instructor Bios
Bemis School of Art Winter/Spring 2010
Margarita Archilla
Margarita has been a member of the RiP improv troupe since 2005. As a member of the troupe, Margarita has performed in various venues in Manitou, Colorado Springs, and Denver. She has also performed in the Star Bar Players' productions of Night and Her Stars, and the comedy, Scapin, in which the RiP were featured performers. Margarita is an elementary school teacher in Lewis-Palmer District #38. For the past two years, she has organized Improv Club for her elementary school's students. She has also taught drama and improv basics to students age 4-9 in other district-funded programs.
Jennifer Azadmanesh
Jennifer has been an artist for her entire life. Originally from New York, Jennifer now enjoys living in the Foothills of the Rocky Mountains. After graduating from Metropolitan State College in Denver, in 1986, Jennifer embarked upon her painting career and was met with a warm welcome in the Denver gallery and show scene, even winning Best of Show at the All Colorado Show in 1989. Azadmanesh has been represented by galleries for 15 years and has enjoyed much success in the Denver area. She also has collectors throughout the country and has done many commissions for individual as well as corporate clients.
Bruce Black
Master Magician Bruce Black is an innovative, Award-Winning Magician and Comedy Hypnotist specializing in corporate and family entertainment. He performs Magic Birthday Parties, Strolling Close-Up Magic, Comedy Magic Shows, Comedy Hypnotism and Balloon Animals! He has a Bachelors Degree in Education and is fully insured. You may find one or two magicians who are slightly cheaper and some who are more expensive, but none will create the lifetime memories of BLACK’s MAGIC Productions!! In addition, they won’t guarantee your happiness!
Alyson Blanton
Alyson Blanton is a ceramic artist who has been teaching in the field for over 10 years. After receiving her BA in Fine Arts from George Washington University, she worked in many potteries including The Greenwich House of Pottery and the 92nd Street Y in NYC and others in Texas and Pennsylvania. She was instrumental in founding a pottery in Grenada, West Indies. Alyson has a desire to teach others her love of clay and has been teaching at Bemis School of Art for over 5 years.
Nilgun Brenn
Nilgun received her Bachelor of Arts in Visual Arts with an emphasis in K-12 teaching education and graphic arts from the Dokuz Eylul University in Izmir, Turkey. She has exhibited her work in numerous exhibits in Turkey and throughout Europe. She has taught art privately since 1993 and has experience in home schooling art subjects. She has worked with an array of students of all cultures, ages and backgrounds.
Joy Brewer
After completing a B. A. in Fine Arts, painting, in 1993 from University of Colorado at Denver, Joy received her Master of Arts in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology, emphasis in Art Therapy from The Naropa Institute in 1999. She has focused her Art Therapy practice in trauma work, domestic violence and child protection. She currently works in a residential treatment facility for at risk adolescents, has a private practice with individuals, couples, families and groups.
Craig Brown
Craig Brown, known as Farmer Brown to the schools and children he visits, is easily recognized by his farming books. For 22 years Craig Brown has been writing and illustrating books, teaching and visiting schools throughout the United States and overseas to promote creativity and his passion for the arts. Craig has illustrated and written Mule Train Mail, Barn Raising, Tractor and more. He has also received awards at the 25th Exhibition of Original Pictures of International children’s Books, Japan Certificate of Merit, 31st Society of Illustrators, 2004 National Exhibition Best Juvenile Book, Manhattan Kansas and 2001 Best of Show, KCIC Chair-ity Art, www.geocities.com/craigbrown_2000.
Kristin Byrd
Kristin, a native of Colorado, received a B.F.A. in Creative Arts from the University of Colorado and a M.A. in Special Education from the University of Northern Colorado. She taught special education for Adams County School District #50 schools in Westminster, CO, tutored for Colorado Springs District #11 schools and tutored and substituted for Academy District #20 schools. She has been teaching at Bemis School of Art since 1998. Kristin is the primary art instructor for the La Foret Art & Acting in the Forest program.
Juanita Canzoneri
Juanita began working in mosaics in 2001. She is self-taught but has tapped into the rich vein of artistic generosity in books, online, and through personal relationships with other mosaic artists. Juanita has been teaching mosaics at Bemis School of Art in Colorado Springs since 2002. She is Program Coordinator and a professional member of Glass Artists of the Pikes Peak Region (GAPPR).
Susan Dawn Carson
Susan Dawn Carson is best known for her Broadway roles, most notably as Fantine in Les Miserables and Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard. She has been a guest artist with the FAC Theatre Company as The Baker's Wife in Into The Woods and Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes. Susan Dawn is the Theatre Arts Coordinator for Bemis, the Program Director for the Youth Repertory Theatre Company and teaches privately at Meeker Music's downtown studio.
Gabriella Christians
Gabriella Christians, a native of New York City, received her B.A. from Syracuse University. She has taught art to children over the years in New York, Connecticut, and Colorado, in public schools and summer camps. A former member of the Pottery Co-op in Colorado Springs, Gabriella has extensive experience with clay. She has collaborated on large scale tile murals, and her hand-carved tiles grace many local gardens.
Jenna Conlin
Jenna received her Master of Arts in Teaching degree from the University of Pittsburgh and taught in Pennsylvania public schools for 9 years. She has been working in studio and freelance photography for the past ten years, including her Manitou Springs based portrait business, Conlin Photography, llc. Jenna is thrilled to be a part of the Bemis family and to be able to share her passion for digital photography and love of teaching with her students.
Linda Curell
Linda, a graduate of Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California and Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, finds deep appreciation for her classical training and in-depth experience in illustrative techniques. She came to Colorado Springs in 1978, from Kansas City, MO. where she illustrated greeting cards for hallmark Cards, Inc. She continued greeting card illustration on the staff of Current Inc for fourteen years. Linda teaches drawing, figure drawing and portraiture in pastel and oils.
Louise Cutler
Louise Cutler is a native of Chicago, now living in Colorado. She is considered a multimedia, multicultural artist. Her work is both contemporary and realistic, and she prefers not to be type cast by limiting herself to a singular style or medium. Her educational background includes being the first student in Malcolm X, Jr. College's history to graduate with an Associates Degree in Fine Art. She has won numerous competitions, awards and grants and has been featured in several newspapers throughout the Chicago-land area and Colorado Springs..
Fred Darpino
Fred Darpino’s art career of more than 41 years has yielded national and international acclaim. Formally trained with a masters degree in sculpture and drawing. His work is found in both public and private collections, from Japan to off-the-map Rocky Mountain hamlets. He is perhaps best known for his life-size depiction's of every day people engaged in the art of living. One example is The Pumpkin Man - Life-size Nick Venetucci figure with three children and pumpkin pile at the Pioneers Museum in Colorado Springs.His studio and gallery are located in Manitou Springs Colorado. www.darpinostudiogallery.com
Julie Davis-Guerrero
Julie is multi-talented as a National Award Winning Graphic Designer & Artist. Her formal education culminated at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Texas with a Major in Fine Art. She has been commissioned for portraits, faux finishes & murals in many private residences & government buildings. Julie works in many mediums to include oil, acrylic, watercolor, digital-media & photography-just to name a few. She spent several years as the Senior Graphic Designer for the Public Affairs & Marketing Office of one of the largest military medical centers in the United States. She has also worked as an Official Army Photographer & Web-master, as well as the Creative Director of her freelance design agency, Global Design Creative Services. Julie motivates each student to surpass their own level of creativity. You will be glad you enrolled in her class.
Barbara Dimond
Barbara was educated at the C.U.N.Y. and is a masters Candidate at Colorado College. She has been teaching art for over 20 years at various schools, museums and has been on the faculty at Bemis for 15 years. In addition to her teaching, she is a paper artist currently working in paper mache. Barbara has exhibited at galleries throughout the United States and in museums such as the Fine Arts Center, the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center and the Mizel Museum in Denver. She was one of the original creators and producers of Body Packaging.
Hellen Dunn
Hellen Eberhardie 'Heaven' Dunn, received her Masters of Art at Royal College of Art. She is an active member of the Associate Royal Society of British Sculptors and the director of Environmental Art Reflex/ STONELOTUS LLC.
Allison Earnest
Allison holds a BS in Business Management from University of Maryland. Professional Commercial photographer for 25 yrs, Ms. Earnest is essentially a self-taught photographer and credits her success to the countless mentors throughout the years who have graciously shared their knowledge and talent. Many of her photographs have appeared in magazines, publications and journals. Additionally, Ms. Earnest’s images have won national and international recognition in B&W magazine, PPA, while two of her fashion/people images were nominated two years in a row at the Black & White Spider awards. In the last four years, Allison has written numerous photography/educational articles as well as author of book “Sculpting with Light: Techniques for Portrait Photographers" (available in bookstores). She believes education is essential, especially in the digital era to maintain the professional standards of the photography industry.
Patrice Filler
As a child of an artist growing up in Taos, it was almost inevitable that the art world would eventually become a big part of Patti’s life. Currently the owner of Fare Bella Studio and gallery in Manitou Springs, she brings her years of experience to the public through classes, commissioned pieces, creative art therapy as well as the decorative arts in the way of home decorating (faux finishes). Patti has studied extensively with local artists including Lorraine Danzo and Jade Weiland of Denver.
Nancy Fraser-Coco
Nancy, a licensed professional educator has taught in the Homeschool, private and public sector for fifteen years. She graduated with honors with a Masters degree in art history and fine art from Cal State in Los Angeles, CA. Also holding a masters degree in Special and Art Education from the University of New Mexico, she currently teaches advanced fine art courses in the Homeschool, private and public schools. Former students have received national and local recognition.
Lance Green
Lance Green is a Colorist and an Expressionist, but more than that a storyteller. Many of his works are a self-portrait of sorts, but all are universal in their application, expressing the human paradox of grace and despair. There is a dark whimsy, and anxious optimism in the work that speaks a secret language that brings one to rest deeply in the sound conviction of an ultimate redemption of all things … read more
Gayle Higgins
Gayle graduated from Colorado State University with a B.F.A. with a concentration in Graphic Design. She worked in both in San Diego and Pueblo as a graphic artist. She continues to study and experiment with both watercolor and colored pencil. Gayle feels each painting is a new learning experience and hopes to share her enthusiasm with her students. She is a member of the Colored Pencil Society of America and the Business of Art Center in Manitou Springs.
Jeremiah Houck
Jeremiah received his B.A. from Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA and did his post-grad in Tunghai University, Taiwan. He worked under Barbara Diduk as a Pottery Apprentice in New York City and as her teaching assistant at Dickinson College. He has also been an Assistant Art Teacher at St. Scholastica Academy in Canon City, Co. Jeremiah has been an art instructor at Bemis since 1995 as well as a part of the Adjunct Art Faculty at Pikes Peak Community College in Colorado Springs.
Jamie Howard
Jamie is a native of Colorado who spent 20 years in the architectural millwork industry. He has been recognized for his technical expertise and artistic interpretation of millwork finishes for architects such as Frank Geary and Michael Graves as well as and many others. He has been a full time artist for 10 years with a passion for ceramic arts and glazing. He learned the craft from many great potters of southern CO and NM. His work has been exhibited in several Pikes Peak area art shows and galleries. Jamie is currently the ceramics program coordinator at Bemis School of Art.
Kathy Hutton
Kathy moved to Colorado to get her M.F.A. in Sculpture from the University of Colorado in Boulder in 1987. She previously earned an M.A. in Art and Adult Education from Eastern Washington University and a B.F.A. in Painting and Printmaking from Virginia Commonwealth University. She exhibited in Denver for 15 years, doing large sculpture installations in various coop galleries. She now lives on an old homestead with several "out buildings" for art studios and storage space, in a registered Colorado ghost town 50 miles east of Colorado Springs.
Martha Kisling
Martha graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Texas Tech University and discovered the exciting medium of watercolor eighteen years ago. She taught at the Greenville Art Museum in South Carolina before moving to CO. Her work has been exhibited in galleries and displayed in private collections around the country. Martha enjoys sharing her own discoveries in watercolor landscapes, florals, mixed media and collage while encouraging students to develop their own artistic expression. Her work can be seen at MarthaKisling.com.
Kaleb Kohart
Kaleb is the co-founder and director of Colorado Springs' best improv troupe, The RiP, and co-creator of the two man improv team Kadan Koharrick: Apocalypse. With training from The Second City, Kaleb has played with troupes all over the Denver and Colorado Springs area including The RiP, Play Incubator, PLINC, Kadan Koharrick, and Plays Well With Others. In addition, Kaleb was co- producer/co-creator of last years critically acclaimed "Scapin" at The Star Bar Players.
Dave Koller
Born in Sydney, Australia, Dave grew up as a military dependant. He first came to the United States in the early 1970’s where he lived in Alamogordo, New Mexico and developed a talent for drawing. After graduating with an AAS from PPCC in 2001, Dave decided to explore different subjects through various two and three-dimensional media. He earned a BS in art and art education at CSU-Pueblo in 2006. Dave continues to market his artwork, painting and sculpture, on the side while currently instructing as an art teacher for Colorado Springs School District 11.
Geoffrey Lasko
Geoff received his B.F.A. in drawing and painting from the University of Iowa and his M.F.A. in printmaking from the University of Denver. In 1985 Geoff received a National Endowment for the Arts grant for his work in drawing and printmaking. His plein air paintings, hand-made etchings and mezzotint engravings have been collected by the Library of Congress, Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, President William Jefferson Clinton, Qwest, Quaker Oats and many more. Geoff’s printmaking collaboration with painter Jay Moore on a suite of 16 etchings was the subject of a feature article in the November 2005 issue of Plein Air, currently known as Fine Art Connisseur magazine.
Daisy McConnell
Daisy McConnell has been exhibiting her mixed-media art in Western and Midwestern galleries and art spaces for the past decade. She was born in Italy and raised around the world, the daughter of two artists. McConnell is currently Assistant to the Curator of the Inter Disciplinary Experimental Arts Program at Colorado College. She lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with her husband Patrick, daughter Ruby, and son Jesse … read more
Blake Milteer
Blake is Curator of 19th – 21st Century American Art at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. He is also an art historian and artist. He received a Bachelors degree in fine arts from the Maryland Institute College of Art and a Masters degree in art history and museum studies from the University of Denver. Previously, Blake was Curatorial Assistant for the Modern and Contemporary Art department at the Denver Art Museum. Since 2003, Milteer has taught Contemporary Art for the University of Colorado, Denver. He has also taught at the University of Colorado, Boulder, Arapahoe Community College, Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design and the Community College of Denver. As an artist, Mr. Milteer has exhibited in Colorado, Maine, Maryland, Texas, and Germany. He is a published photographer and his essay “Eyes on the American West” was included in The Wild West (2001) for the Arken Museum of Modern Art in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Cory Moosman
Cory most recently directed the FAC's Youth Repertory Theatre Company's You Can't Take It With You and the FAC's mainstage hit Beauty and The Beast as well as I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change the previous season. Along with Cory's many directing and acting credits, not to mention his many technical theatre credits, he has taught at the Colorado Music Fest-Pueblo, the Vocal Performance Institute at ACC in Denver, the Colorado Springs Conservatory, and the Colorado State University-Pueblo. He is the author of the radio spoof series Rick Luger: Private Dick.
Monica Petty Aiello
Artist Monica Petty Aiello was born in Houston, Texas in 1971 and spent her youth in Austin. She took a long and winding path to the visual arts, which ultimately served as a way to weave her diverse interests together. Growing up in a family of mathematicians and computer scientists, Monica’s first childhood love was that of astronomy and physics. As a teen, she developed an interest in textiles and apparel and graduated early to study business and fashion design at the University of Texas. After graduating, she moved to New York City where she found work in the music business. During this time, she also began focusing on her own creative work, and in 1997 BMG acquired three of her early paintings for their corporate collection - spearheading a shift to pursue her own career as an artist … read more
Mark Pimentel
Mark has lived in Colorado Springs three times. He graduated from the Air Force Academy with a BS in 1979. In the mid-90‘s he taught math at one of the first Charter Schools in the city. He moved back in 2000 as a math instructor at a local middle school. In 2004 Mark started his own business as an Apple Consultant and Trainer. This is his first year teaching at Bemis, concentrating on helping his students with the Digital Arts.
Anne Roe
Anne received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Denver in l967 and a Master of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota in l977. As an art educator in public and private institutions with adults and children of all ages, she has exhibited in shows and galleries in Santa Fe, NM, Duluth, MN, Bozeman, MT, as well as in several galleries here in Colorado. Anne's work graces many private collections throughout the country.
Debbie Ross
Deb earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Art Education from Kutztown University. In her first job, she taught art to middle school students in Pennsylvania. Later, Deb returned to college and studied Graphic Design at Penn State University. In California, she worked for the McDonnell Douglas Corp as a Technical Illustrator and in Colorado she worked as a Product Designer for Current, Inc. Deb now teaches Visual Communication classes at Colorado Technical University as well as art classes at the Colorado Springs Senior Center.
Diana Ruth
Since 1999, Diana Ruth has been an Art and drama teacher at Renaissance Academy, a private school for talented and gifted children. She has served as the special events coordinator for the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center as well as a committee member for Imagination Celebration. Currently Diana is a board member of the Pike’s Peak Art Council and a local artist, along with a teacher at Bemis School of Art.
Anna Santistevan
Anna, a Colorado Springs native, came to the Fine Arts Center in 2000 to become involved with the Docent program, also serving as the “Docent Palette” editor for two years. She soon made the transition to visual art instructor at Bemis. Anna has organized and instructed after-school K-12 programs for local school districts. She specializes in children’s education in basic drawing, painting and clay skills. Existing public work: Chicago Skyline, Water Street Historical District, Bay City, MI (City of Murals).
Father Luke Sheffer
Luke was born in Colorado Springs and graduated from Palmer High School in 1991 and later from Amherst College, MA. He began drawing at an early age at home and at Bemis School of Art. He studied classical painting with artist Graydon Parrish while in Amherst and for two years at the Academy of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg, Russia. In 1998 he was received into the Orthodox Church and lived from then on in monasteries in Russia (2 years) and on Mt. Athos, Greece (6 years). In 2007 he was tonsured as a monk by Archimandrite Elisaios, abbot of the Athonite monastery of Simonos Petras. Currently he is residing in Colorado Springs.
Lee Stuurmans
Lee is currently majoring in Elementary Education at Pikes Peak Community College. He has devoted much of his time to helping those with special needs and has participated in such special needs programs as Academy District 20 Peer Assistance. His passion for ceramics has led him to Bemis School of Art where he works as an apprentice under the skillful tutelage of Jeremiah Houck. He has exhibited his artwork at the Pikes Peak Fine Arts Festival as well as a multitude of establishments in the Pikes Peak region.
Paisley Taylor
Paisley is originally from Vermont and has lived in Colorado for 10 years. She received her B.A. in Psychology and her M.A. in Education in Curriculum and Instruction, both from the University of Denver. She has also taken many semester hours of studio art classes and has received her K-12 Art teaching license. She taught elementary art and is teaching High School art in Harrison District #2 this year. This is Paisley’s first year teaching at Bemis School of Art
Micki Tschur
Micki received her BFA in Painting from the University of Colorado, Boulder and her MFA in Studio Art from the University of Illinois, Chicago. After receiving her degrees, she moved to Germany and studied at the Staedelschule in Frankfurt with Hermann Nitsch, the infamous Viennese Actionist. She currently works as an art teacher.
Melissa Wagner
Melissa Mayrath Wagner is a 30-year veteran artist in Metal Arts, PMC, and jewelry design. Her work has been displayed at galleries throughout California and Colorado. She now shares her knowledge, experience, and resources with students in her workshops, with creative teaching techniques to inspire beginners and experienced artisans alike. Melissa is a member of the PMC Guild of America, a certified PMC instructor and artist in Rio and PMCC education programs.
Katie Walker
Katie Walker graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a Bachelors of Arts degree specializing in Photography and Painting. After finishing her studies in France, Katie moved back to Colorado Springs to pursue a career where she could share her love of art with children. She sees the ability to bring art into people’s lives as a great opportunity. In addition to teaching, she currently works as the Education Program Coordinator at Bemis and owns her own photography business, Walker Photographic.
Stephanie Wienecke
Stephanie is a native of Colorado Springs, who has had a passion for art since childhood. In elementary school she was selected for a gifted and talented arts program and began taking classes at Bemis School of Art. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sculpture and Pottery from Colorado State University and has a sculpture in the permanent collection of Colorado State University and her art has been displayed at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Museum and the Hatton Gallery at Colorado State University. She has experience in a variety of art media and she specializes in stone carving, clay and metal working. Currently, she is studio artist at the Business of Art Center in Manitou Springs and she is enthusiastic about teaching and helping others develop their artistic skills.
Mariya Zvonkovich
Mariya Zvonkovich teaches drawing and painting at UCCS and at Bemis Art School. She held the position of Master Pastellist for the Colorado Springs Art Students League; and through her company, Painters Retreats International, conducted workshops throughout the southwest and Mexico. Her work continues to evolve as her inspiration derives from continual experimentation and study, including the visions and insights into contemporary culture as seen through her students. She has exhibited with Allied Artists, American Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society, Pastel Society of America, and is represented in Colorado Springs by Squash Blossom Gallery.
