Bohon, Pat - Pat is a Gloucester artist formerly from Suffolk. She earned her B. A. degree in art at Queens College in Charlotte, N.C. Her main art focus is watercolor. She has continued her interest in the medium over the years by taking workshops given by Robert Burnell, Ralph Smith, Janet Walsh, Gerald Brommer, and others. Pat has won a number of local awards for her art and is a signature artist of The Virginia Watercolor Society. Her work has been represented in several galleries in Virginia and North Carolina. She has exhibited with The Elizabeth River Artists of Portsmouth, The Brush and Palette Club of Suffolk, and The Chesapeake Bay Watercolor Society. Some of her paintings can currently be seen at The Morning Glory Gallery in Gloucester and Art Speaks Gallery in Mathews. For many years Pat has shared her enthusiasm for art with others by teaching watercolor painting in her studio in Suffolk. She has given workshops at the Portsmouth Museum and The Art League of Suffolk in the Suffolk Museum. Her other hobbies are gardening and arranging flowers. The fruits of her garden are often the inspiration for her paintings.

Bozung , Richard “Frog” – A resident of Mathews County, Richard designs and makes musical instruments that have won awards and been exhibited in shows and in galleries throughout the South. He has extensive experience as a music therapist. Visit his website at: www.guitarsimplified.com

Brooks, Wade - is an artist and craftsman in every sense. Primarily self-taught, he is a master woodworker with over 40 years experience in designing and building furniture, a master blacksmith, an accomplished wood carver (with carvings in the VA State Capital), an electrical engineer, and a glass artist. He is president and co-owner, with his wife Susan, of Garden Creek Woodworks, Inc. and Artistic Design Studio in Mathews. He has published several articles in magazines such as Glass Craftsman. He uses metal, glass, pottery, stone, and wood in creating his functional and decorative art.

Buzby, Nina Eastman – recently retired after 33 years as an elementary school teacher and administrator. Although she has been involved in many kinds of crafts all her life, Nina was introduced to pine needle basketry in March, 2003 at the Bay School. She has been making and designing pine needle baskets ever since. When not making baskets, you can find her playing her cello with Strings & Things in Mathews, Festival Musicians in Kilmarnock and Trio Con Brio in Richmond. She began playing cello in he richmond Publilc Schools when she was 10 and studied privately iwth Paul Cartwright and Gesila Depcat of the Richmond Symphony. Nina was a member of the richmond Symphony for 5 years during the 70's before moving to Mathews.

Carr, Mary Ann - is a 30-year veteran educator and writer. She has published three children's mystery books designed to develop critical thinking skills. Two remain on the publisher's best sellers list. Her current projects include a Toolkit to help parents complement the education offered by schools, a series of young children's picture books and a series of CSI-like mysteries to help pre-teenaged children develop critical thinking and deductive reasoning skills while having fun solving crimes at home. In addition to frequent speaking engagements, Mary Ann teaches in the College of William and Mary’s summer enrichment program and at the Bay School.

Carpenter, Lausanne Davis – Lausanne has a BFA in Scenery and Lighting Design for the theatre from SUNY Purchase. Lausanne worked as a designer and a scenic artist in NYC and in regional theatres until she went traveling. From 1988 to 2002 she lived mostly overseas. She now lives in Mathews and operates Marsh Hawk Studio as a designer, decorative painter and muralist. www.marshhawkstudio.com.

Chenoweth, Ann – Ann received her MFA in painting and printmaking from VCU and taught studio arts for eight years at Randolph-Macon College. Since 1990, Ann has been on the faculty of the VA Museum Studio School. She ahs exhibited in solo and group exhibitions including Randolph-Macon, the Reynolds Gallery, the Virginia Museum and the Anderson Gallery.

Cole, Linda - Linda has done various crafts over the years for home and gifts and some have become lucrative: painted metal buttons made into earrings and baskets filled with large out-of-state pine ones and accompanying dried materials.

Craig, Sandy -Bobbin lacemaking has been a passion of Sandy Craig’s since she first watched it being done in 1984 while living in Brussels, Belgium. She studied locally for the next 3 years, and continued her studies in the US after her return. Since 1988 she has taught this timeless art to over 250 adults and children in Virginia Beach, where she lives, as well as in other East Coast locations. A Florida native, Sandy graduated from Mary Washington College of the University of Virginia with a BA in American History and Political Science. She has combined these ongoing interests with a fascination in historic textiles dated from the mid-eighteenth century on, bringing a lively understanding of all types of lace as a basis for her presentations. Her particular expertise lies in the fields of Bobbin Lace and Flax, as well as other types of lacemaking. As a principal in SEAMS LIKE YESTERDAY, an educational non-profit dedicated to education, consulting, conservation, restoration, and reproduction concerning historic textiles through the 20^th century, she continues speaking and teaching on her beloved subject.

Cutler, Rita – Rita has revived the art of primitive and homespun rug hooking. She is the owner of the Primitively Hooked Studio in Mathews County. Rita combines traditional and new motifs with unique and striking color schemes.

DeBrava, Valerie - Valerie started playing the violin at age 3 at the Harford Conservatory until she began studying at teh Hartt School of Music a the University of Hartford. She has served as the concertmaster of the York River Orchestra and has played with the Richmond Philharnonic and the Lynchburg Orchestra. She currently plays with the Williamsburg Symphonia and for Colonial Williamsburg.

Deans, Patsi - an award winning quilter, began a love affair with needlework as a young child at her mother’s knee. Almost before she learned to read and write, Patsi learned hand sewing, embroidery, knotting and crochet. While sitting on books she learned to sew on her mother’s sewing machine and has been sewing ever since! Over the years she has worked in a variety of fields; a needlework teacher, a social worker at a psychiatric hospital and, a manager for a Bernina sewing machine store. While living in southwest Virginia Patsi began teaching regionally and has continued for over 20 years. She considers herself a “high tech” teacher/quilter and enjoys teaching a variety of techniques and designs. Patsi loves to help needleworkers find their creative side and believes that classes should be fun as well as informative. After moving back to the Richmond area in 2002, she quickly found a chapter of the Richmond Quilt Guild and American Sewing Guild to join and began teaching various needlework classes locally.

Dews, Pat – Pat, an award-winning artist, is an elected, signature member of the American Water Color Society and the National Collage Society. She works experimentally using watermedia on paper and canvas. Some of her successes include the 2002 American Watercolor Society’s Ida Wells Stroud Memorial Award, and the NWS Liquitex Award. Pat paints the very essence of nature with rocks and water a recurring theme. Collage is often integrated into her work.

Ellett, Mary - earned her MA and PhD from the University of Virginia and before retirement served in the administrative position as Director of the Adult Degree Program and Community Education at Randolph-Macon Woman’s College. Dr. Ellet has contributed to and published numerous books and essays including Masterworks of American Art from the Munson-William’s-Proctor Institute, Great Lives from History: Renaissance to 1900, and “Isabel Bishop: The Seamless Web".

Fettingis, Joseph – Mr. Fettingis has been leading workshops and teaching watercolor classes for many years. His classes are much in demand. He is a signature member of the National Watercolor Society. He has been the subject of a cover story of the American Artist Magazine. He has written many books about watercolor painting.

Finley, Brenda - is a potter who lives in Mathews and Richmond, Virginia. She earned a four-year scholarship to Columbus Art School as a high school senior but, instead, attended OSU and Columbus Business University pursuing a business degree. Having spent over 25 years with state and national trade associations and/or professional societies and earning CAE and CMP designations, she formed Brenden & Associates, Inc. -- a multiple-association management company in 1987 -- serving as president until selling the business in December 2006. Along the way, she continued to "dabble" in watercolor and acrylic painting, writing and a 20-year stint as a stained glass artist. Wheel-thrown pottery was a lifelong goal. She began realizing that dream in the late 90's and now has time to pursue pottery more fully. She studied with two excellent potters at the Visual Arts Center in Richmond. She has participated in numerous exhibitions in Richmond and Mathews, Virginia and has taught classes since 2005 at the Bay School. She recently began teaching at the new Rosewood Pottery in Richmond.

Finley, Charlie - has enjoyed over 25 years of experience editing and publishing Virginia Forests Magazine and numerous newsletters, teaching Business Communications at VCU, writing legislative reports for the VA General Assembly and marketing the causes of many private and public organizations. He is the editor of The Virginia Writer, holds a master’s degree from Duke University and is an active leader and volunteer in many community and professional associations.

Fitzpatrick, Ruth - is an accomplised painter specializing in decorative techniques, tole paiting and Trompe L'oeil. She has won first prize at many county fairs and displays her work locally. Ruth operated the Dragon Run Country Store with her daughter, Patty, giving lessons and selling antiques and painted items.

Foster, Melissa - Melissa is a successful basket maker whose work is available through her business - Thyme In a Basket! Her work can be seen in her studio in Tappahannock, Virginia, and in many quality craft shows throughout the state.

Fuller, Jack – Jack teaches 21 +/- Tai Chi classes each week in Richmond and is looking forward to sharing this wonderful art with those in the Mathews area. Jack welcomes your question calls at 725-3730.

Hankins, Cherri - of Maidens, VA, is the fiber artist whose life work is to teach the fiber arts and create a community of quality fiber artists. She shows her work nationally and internationally.

Harrison, Kim - Kim lives on a small farm southwest of Richmond with her husband and two children. She raises fine-wooled white and colored sheep to produce the wool for her fiber habits--spinning, weaving, dyeing, knitting, and needle felting. Kim has been raising sheep and using their wool since the mid 1980's, but she also works with other natural fibers.

Hawksworth, Marty – A self-taught embroiderer, Marty has been creating wearable art using silk ribbon for years, before the recent surge in interest I this fascinating and beautiful art. She lives in Deltaville where she started her own custom embroidery business that incorporates both hand and machine techniques.

Hayes, Bill - is a full time potter who lives in Hallieford, VA. He began working in clay in 1996, making functional stoneware pottery, but soon discovered the fascinating process of raku firing. He taught several classes at Sarah Creek Potters and recently won first place in clay at the 2004 Newport News Fall Festival.

Hayes, Martha - has been a potter for 29 years. She holds her business degree from Franklin and Marshall and a BFA from Alfred University. She was a member of Sarah's Creek Potters for 19 years before moving her studio to Hallieford.

Hendrickson, Thomas - Thomas has played guitar for ten years and has two years of instructional experience. He is currently in the process of earning his bachelors' degree in Music Education. He works with all ages and is currently working with special needs children.

Hollberg, Wanda – Wanda works and resides in Urbanna, VA. With a degree in fine arts from VCU, she has owned and operated Greenwood Glass since 1979. Wanda enjoys experimenting with a wide range of subjects. She exhibiits at numerous galleries including the VA Museum of Fine Arts.

Howlett, Pam – Pam, a resident of Mathews County, made many of the beautiful wedding cakes that were featured at county weddings before she retired to become a wife and mom. Happily, she’s agreed to share her expertise with us. We expect any number of Mathews residents will be turning out beautiful cakes when they complete her class.

Hyer, Eunice- is a storyteller whose roots go back to a childhood fascination with traditional tales. She has a master's degree in dramatic literature from Cornell University and is a 1997 graduate of the School of Sacred Storytelling. For 25 years Eunice has been telling stories and teaching storytelling in school and community settings. Personal stories, scripture stories, myths, fairytales and folktales fill a growing repertoire of tales to tell. She has given retreats using guided imagery to assist the development of personal stories and has done teacher workshops in the techniques and uses of storytelling.

Iden, Kris – is a professional artist and educator. She holds BFA and MFA degrees in painting and printmaking from VCU.

Jones, Karen – is the co-author of Up the Best Seller Lists , a guide to successful book promotion, and the successful romance novel, Kingdom of Hearts. Her career has encompassed teaching and establishing education programs, radio and TV. She conducts an intensive writing camp on Ocracoke Island, NC.

Kennedy, Jane – Mathews got lucky when Jane moved here from Yorktown where she’d been an elementary school teacher for gifted students. She incorporated music, art and drama in her classes to the delight of her students and their parents. Jane teaches our 2nd and 3rd grade public school students how to incorporate art into their social studies.

Kreckman, Linn – Fiber artist, Linn Kreckman has practiced the beautiful, useful and decorative art of English Smocking for over 28 years. She is a member of the Smocking Arts Guild of America and continues to study with nationally and internationally known teachers.

Lawrence, Skip – As a nationally recognized painter, author and teacher, Skip Lawrence is reknowned for his extraordinary work as a colorist. He regularly has his work included in books, magazines and national publications. He is most well know for his workshops where he manages to inspire and focus his students while keeping things lively and interesting. He is the author of “Painting Light and Shadow in Watercolor”. To learn more, visit his website, www.skiplawrence.com.

Martin, Emma Lou - a fine arts major at RMWC and the College of William and Mary who continued her studies with master painters. A signature prize-winning member of the Virginia Watercolor Society, her versatile paintings have won recognition in numerous prestigious art exhibitions in pastel, watercolor, collage and printmaking. Emma Lou is active in the art scene in Richmond having served as founding director of the Uptown Gallery. She is a popular workshop teacher who stresses helping student reach their individual goals in multiple media.

Mayo, Robert Bowers -- is a graduate of St. Christopher's School in Richmond, VA and Richmond Professional Institute with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree with a major in studio art and a minor in art history. His post graduate studies included Art Students League and Art Institute of Chicago. He spent twenty years in curatorial and museum directorships at Jamestown Festival Park, Jamestown, VA; the State Department of Archives and History, Raleigh, NC; and the Valentine Museum, Richmond, VA. He has spent the past 30 years as president and director of Gallery Mayo, Inc., which specializes in 19th and early 20th century American and European Art. He is president of the Southeastern Museum Conference, and past vice-president of the Virginia Museum Conference. He served four years on the National Council of the American Association of Museums. Mr. Mayo has published in the magazines Antiques, American Art Review, and other national journals; written a catalogue on American Sporting Art; was coordinator and director of the American Art Studies Group, Richmond, VA. He has been a national lecturer on American Art and History.

McKelvey, Tasha - Tasha creates jewelry and pottery. She shows her work throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region at Art Shows and Galleries. She has worked with Robert and Karen Podd of The Poddery in Mathews County since she was in high school. Tasha is a 2000 graduate of Mary Washington College with a Degree in Studio Art. She is currently pursuing her teaching license in Art from the University of Richmond.

McKenzie, Melinda - Melinda graduated from the univerity of CT in Oboe Performance. She spent 23 yeras in the Army Band program, 11 of which was spent in oboe instruction and several years as the woodwind branch head. Melinda has played with the Virginia Symphony and the Williamsburg Symphonia.

Miller, Celeste– after nearly 25 years in “Corporate America”, Celeste retired to pursue her creative side. Her engineering background and love for “process” attracted her to stained glass, glass mosaics, and fused glass. The desire to do more with fused glass led to a certification in Precious Metal Clay (PMC) a few years ago. When her PMC students wanted to make bracelets for their PMC pieces, she took a number of classes in chain maille and became “addicted” to the ancient art. Celeste currently works part time for JoMoCo Studio in Richmond, VA and loves teaching a variety of classes in the Richmond area. Celeste and her husband enjoy their two rescue dogs and travel and golf in their spare time.

Nechis, Barbara - is a graduate of the University of Rochester with a B.A. in History and Fine Art and an MS from Alfred University. She was a faculty member of Parsons School of Design for many years and has taught seminars at Pratt Institute, throughout North America and abroad. She has served as a director of the American Watercolor Society. She is the author of “Watercolor From the Heart” and “Watercolor the Creative Experience”. Her work appears in many publications and collections. Her objective in teaching a workshop is to introduce the participants to her thought process in constructing a painting. To learn more, visit her website, www.barbaranechis.com.

Nelson, Bruce – has studied with top national photographers in the fashion, lifestyle and architectural areas. His work is routinely published in national magazines and catalogs. He recently opened his own studio in Gloucester, Bruce Nelson Photography.

Nicholas, Joe - Joe has been painting in the oriental style since 1983. He studied oriental painting and calligraphy under Master Calligrapher Park, Young Bok in Seoul, Korea. His brush paintings and calligraphic works have won awards at national and international exhibits. Joe has been a member of the Sumi-e society of America since 1989 and served as its Vice President in 2003. Joe also served as President of the Virginia Beach (now Blue Heron) Chapter of the Society from 1996 to 1998. In addition to conducting various workshops in the Hampton Roads area, Joe has conducted numerous lectures, demonstrations and painting classes at schools in the Hampton Roads and Richmond area as well as doing sea cruises for the Cunard and Celberity cruise lines.

Nunn, Polly – Polly received a BFA from JMU. She paints flowers on a large scale and is also a muralist of some repute. Five of her painting are displayed in the Williamsburg Hospital’s art collection. She serves on the board of This Century Art Gallery and teaches classes there and at the James City County Parks and Recreation.

Nygaard, Rose - received her BA and MFA at American Univeristy in Washington, DC. She works in many different mediums, working boldly with color and shape. She has exhibited in many group shows including the American University Gallery, City Gallery, and the Fairfax County Juried Show. Rose has won many awards, including the Merit Award at NVCC. In 2005 she had a one-woman show at the Rappahannock Art League Studio Gallery.

Pauze, Denise - Denise is a teacher who has worked in public and private schools and art centers. She has an M.I.S. from VCU’s School of the Arts.

Pfaff, Julia – Julia is a 2000-2001 recipient of an Individual Artist’s Fellowship from the VA Commission for the Arts. With an undergraduate degree in Art History from the University of Toronto and an MFA from Virginia Commonwealth University, she divides her time between making art quilts and working as an archaeological technical artist in Greece, Egypt and Jordan. She has exhibited at the American Craft Museum in NY and the Textile Museum in Washington, DC.

Pletcher, Marga - Marga lived in Tokyo, Japan for six years where she studied Ikebana with Japanese sensais. She studied at Ikenobo, the oldest school of Ikebana and Sogetsu, a more modern form of Ikebana. Marga is a member of the Mathews County Garden Club. She enjoys keeping fresh flowers in teh house and uses flowers and greenery from her garden to create her Ikebana arrangements.

Rice, Valerie - has always been interested in the arts and in crafting. She has taught herself to paint, knit, sew, cross stitch, bead and craft solely through books. She attended Donna Dewberry’s One Stroke Certification Program in Feb. of 2007 and became a One Stroke Certified Instructor (OSCI). Her art has also been available for sale in boutiques and galleries in Williamsburg VA, Gloucester VA and Nags Head NC.

Richardson, Ben – A resident of Mathews County, Ben has spent most of his life either on the water or carving. He has won numerous awards, Best of Show and First Place ribbons in local and regional shows and exhibits. He is a member of the Mathews Art Group where he shows his work.

Rizzio, Marianne - A "retired" certified massage therapist who was instrumental in starting massage therapy on the peninsula in the late 80's. She owned her own business and practiced massage therapy for 14 years before moving to Mathews County. Marianne taught massage classes through Newport News Parks and Rec. Dept.

Rosenberg, Patty – Patty received a BA in Art History from Mary Washington College and an MA in Christian Education from PSCE. She specialized in pastel portraits in high school and intaglio printing in college. Patty paints greeting cards and invitation designs of beach floral and fauna for a stationery store, embroiders liturgical garments, weaves, composes collages, takes photographs and generally tries new things all the time. She has been an enthusiastic supporter of the Bay School for years and serves on the Board of Directors.

Schacht, Amy- Amy is from Urbanna and has a BFA in painting from UGA. She studied under Richard Pitts at the Kansas City Art Institute and at UGA under James Herbert. She was a graphic designer for Reynolds Metals before running her own company locally. Currently, she is in her 7th year as the art teacher for Aylett Country Day School. ( Grades 3 yr. old to 8th.)

Sheaks, Barclay – Barclay is a renowned acrylic artist. His work is owned by the VA Museum of Fine Arts, the Butler Institute of American Art and by many private collectors. He has participated in many juried shows including the American Watercolor Society, the Corcoran Gallery, the National Academy of Design and the Smithsonian. Barclay has just retired from as resident artist and associate professor at VA Wesleyan College.

Smith, Dee- "Knitting is my passion. I have been knitting over 30 years and 15 of those years have been in production and sample knitting. Teaching people to knit is a joy and hope that my passion for the craft inspires the student as well."

Sweezey, Mary – is the administrative assistant for the VMFA Studio School and is a professional artist. She has a B.F.A. from V.C.U and an M.F.A. in fibers from Arizona State University.

Tarbell, Rob - Originally from Ohio, Rob now resides in Crozet, Virginia, and has spent the better part of his life pursuing, teaching and making art. His undergraduate work at Auburn University focused on Graphic Design and Painting. Both of his Masters degrees are from the University of Tennessee. The MFA is in Painting and Drawing and the MS is in Art Education. He currently teaches at VCU, and PVCC. He creates a variety of artwork, with the most recent drawings that use smoke on paper being shown nationally and internationally in Korea and China. He was recently awarded a VMFA Fellowship for the smoke on paper work.

Taylor, Amanda - has had a passion for food and wine since living in France. She worked in a wine shop for 10 years and has studied cooking for years.

Thomas, Marcia - Marcia is a teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing with Gloucester County Public Schools. She als teaches a beginner's sign language class at Rappahannock Community College. Ms. Thomas is in her 30th year of teaching.

Van Hasselt, Tony – Tony’s ability to graphically explain problems and solutions as they arise during a demonstration, combined with his energetic and enthusiastic teaching style have made him a highly popular instructor, appreciated for his empathy with student struggles. He is a signature member of the American Watercolor Society. Visit his website at www.tonyvanhasselt.com .

Van Winkle, Jennifer – received a B.F.A. from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1996. Variety in materials fascinates her; varying her techniques fuels her. The home for her versatility is the visual cabaret-installation art. Recent solo exhibitions include the following installations: A Collection of Permutation, Room, Trees & Birds, Spielzeug/Zeitfeist (Toys/Spirit of Our Times) and Doubleness: Peripheral Memories. She is currently on the faculties of V.C.U. in Richmond and Piedmont Virginia Community College in Charlottesville. In addition, she is an arts education program consultant for the University of Virginia Art Museum in Charlottesville.

Wadkins, Mary – Mary’s career includes productions performed from New York to Los Angeles. In addition to her brilliant acting, she is also known for her dancing, European clown performances, juggling and piano,. She has been involved in producing off-Broadway productions in New York and is the star of the one-woman show, the “Belle of Amherst”, the story of Emily Dickinson. Mary is the co-founder with her husband, Rob Ruffin, of Virginia Premiere Theatre.

Wertheimer, Lee Gerry - earned her Master of Arts Degree from New York University. She was awarded a scholarship to study art in Siena, Italy. In 1993 she studied and exhibited in many cities in China. She is a certified art teacher with over 30 years of teaching experience. Her professional art studio is located at the d'art Center in Norfolk, Virginia.

White, Rachel Sawan- graduated in June, 2000 from Loughborough University School of Art and Design with honors in Fine Art Printmaking. Ms White studied bookmaking and bookbinding at LUSAD, including traditional and experimental techniques.

Zhoroff, Gladys- is a multi-faceted artist whose talents include embroidery, crochet, knitting, tatting, bead work, designing silver jewlry and stained glass. Gladys is also a volunteer at the Colonial Williamsburg Textile Conservation Lab, heling conserve samplers, quilts, toys and clothing.