Kerry Didday is an award-winning Florida-based artist. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati College of Design, Art and Architecture. He has been active in the arts for many years, both corporate and fine art and teaches in St. Petersburg, Fl. Kerry is a founding member of the International Society of Acrylic Painters (ISAP) and the International Society of Experimental Artists (ISEA).
Graciela Giles
Graciela’s love of art, as well as music, blossomed early and the two have always formed a creative duet in her life. Her love of the natural world is readily apparent in her watercolors and musical expressions of paintings, places and people. Originally from Argentina, she has been an active watercolorist and teacher for two decades, earning awards from art societies for her sensitive portrayals of landscapes and people. Her artwork has been selected for numerous juried and invitational exhibitions and can be found in private collections internationally. Her affinities for art and music came together when she and artist/musician Rena Tatem created Painting Music/Playing Art workshops designed to facilitate connecting with our inner creativity. Graciela leads workshops and teaches watercolors at the Ringling College of Art + Design, Continuing Education, and various locations in the Village of the Arts, Bradenton, Florida. In addition to painting and teaching she gives piano, flute and vocal performances during which she captures the essence of visual art through music.
Judith White
Judith received a Bachelor of Arts K-12 teaching degree from Eastern Illinois University in Charleston Illinois.
Over the years, Judi has taught in public and private art schools in Illinois. Her work has been displayed in galleries in Chicago and Europe. Judi has taught many workshops throughout her career, on many different techniques pertaining to clay and glazes.
Judi is a very hands on instructor, helping students understand the art of throwing and stretches her students potential to bring out their creativity.
Liana Martin
As an artist and biologist, nature and wildlife are the inspirations of some of Liana’s art work. She found that she could express her love of nature in an art form – kiln formed and flame worked glass. Her natural curiosity lead her to constantly experiment to see what would happen if . . . She feels fortunate that she was able to combine two passions; nature and glass, into an art form that she can now share with others.
Sandra Symens
I’m Sandra Symens and I’m pleased to be teaching ceramics at ArtCenter Manatee. I received a Bachelor of Fine Arts and secondary teaching credentials from the California College of Arts. My Master of Arts degree is from California State University, Sacramento. In California I studied with Viola Frey, Art Nelson and Vernon Coykendall. Since moving to Florida many years ago I have studied with Ted Camp, Annette Sidner and Ed Ross. Among the influential ceramic artists I’ve taken workshops with are Don Reitz, Malcolm Davies, Tom Coleman, Ron Meyers, Gay Smith, Suze Lindsay, McKenzie Smith, Matt Lang, Nan Smith, Kent McLaughlin and Regis Brody. My work can be seen here in the Artists’ Market and in Sarasota at The Museum of Art and Whimsey. Animal imagery is typical of my work with a fondness for frogs, rabbits and birds and a mad love for dogs.
Wendy Thurlow
Wendy is an award winning jeweler/metalsmith. She has her BFA in Metals from the University of Arts in Philadelphia, PA. She was recently chosen as first place winner for publication in the book, Best of Artists and Artisans Books Series. She produces her own, one of a kind and limited edition jewelry.
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