Teaching Artists

Born in El Paso, TX, Victor Contreras is a self-taught potter who discovered his love for clay at the tender age of 5, crafting ash trays from riverbed clay near his father’s mechanic shop. His early fascination continued, and by the age of 8, his talent began to take shape, leading him to receive accolades from institutions like the El Paso Art Museum. Victor’s deep connection to clay not only garnered him recognition but also steered him towards teaching by the age of 22, offering non-credit courses at El Paso Community College. He focuses his work on functional ceramic pieces, believing in the ability of everyday items to inspire beauty. Now residing in South Phoenix with his family, Victor maintains an art studio enveloped by citrus and mesquite trees. He continues to share his passion by teaching at the Center for the Arts of Phoenix, merging his love for pottery and education.

A native of Phoenix, Arizona, Allison Moore is a dedicated artist with a passion for capturing moments through illustration and sculpture. She has a B.A in Studio Arts from Wells College in Aurora, New York, she has practiced art in the valley since 2009. Allison continues to hone her skills and develop projects at the Phoenix Center for the Arts, where she teaches beginning hand-building.

My interest in clay began as a hobby taking classes locally in the early 90’s, and from then on, it became a mild obsession. I tried to learn all I could about clay materials, firing, tools, and methods of creating. While working as a studio tech at a local college, I began teaching for the Phoenix Center for the Arts in 2008 under the direction of Don Ridley. I have also been fortunate to teach children’s summer camps, workshops and classes with brain trauma and Alzheimer’s patients through the Center’s With Art in Mind program.

Ashley is a ceramic artist and painter currently residing in Phoenix, AZ working as an artist and educator. Her career in ceramics began in 2006 at St. Petersburg College, Clearwater, Florida. In 2013, she earned her BFA in Ceramics at Arizona State University, Tempe where she was awarded the Windgate Scholarship. Since then, Ashley has worked with arts organizations and professional ceramic artists including the Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts and Don Reitz, to name a few. As an artist, Ashley’s most recent successes include In My Space: Functional Craft for the Home, Craft Alliance, St. Louis, MO, and Perception, CLAY Festival hosted by Light Art Space and Western New Mexico University, Silver City, NM.

Ash is currently a Beginning Wheel Throqing instructor at Pip Coffee & Clay and will begin teaching Beginning Wheel Throwing at Thunderbird Arts Center in January 2026. Ash specializes in various techniques, including wheel throwing, to accomplish her stylized aesthetic; creating works that are symbolic references of awareness of the individual – “I am inspired by the complex connections of personal, interpersonal and transpersonal elements and how they influence our sense of being.”

Char was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. She has had a love for art as long as she can remember, and loved to draw while growing up. She received her education at the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. While attending the university, she completed also studied art.

Char moved to Arizona in 1989, and she took her first ceramic class in 2002 where she truly found her voice. Char is interested in form and texture and how to use 3 dimensional forms to incorporate 2 dimensional designs. Char has shown her work throughout the Valley at different events throughout the years.

Char currently works in the Phoenix area as a surgical nurse. Since 2008, Char has been teaching the beginning throwing ceramic class at the Phoenix Center for the Arts.

Chelsea Koressel’s life and artistic journey have culminated into a fascination with ceramics. She grew up in Prescott, Arizona, and was raised to be a dreamer with an acute awareness of nature, health and wellness, and hard work. ​All three components remain a ringing inspiration, and have vibrated into her vessels. Nature especially has made an impact on her style and vision—enamored with smooth, simple forms.
 ​Making functional pottery; mugs, plates, and bowls, along with decorative vases, combined with a splash of color, is the foundation of her style.

Cheryl started her ceramics journey in 2019, under Ceramics artist and Department Head Instructor, Jon Higuchi. With his guidance and encouragement, She has developed a unique style, pushing the limits of her skills and utilizing many different techniques and tools to finish and decorate her vessels.

Cheryl shares her love of ceramics by helping her students gain a solid understanding of the mechanics of wheel throwing. Her interest in textile and gardening is reflected in her teaching style, encouraging students to fell free to express themselves with the clay and infinite glazing possibilities.

Don, born and raised in Tempe, Arizona, began his ceramic studies at Marcos de Niza High School and continued at Arizona State University. After a career in music and corporate management, he returned to pottery, teaching and working with Tom and Elaine Coleman in Nevada.

He has won numerous awards and sells his pottery at shows and galleries throughout the Southwest. Currently, Don is the Department Head of the Ceramics Program at the Phoenix Center for the Arts.

Over the past 25 years, his work has evolved into a study of the relationship between glaze palettes and forms, with a focus on texture and alteration in the early stages. Don has embraced wood firing, achieving remarkable results and forming lasting friendships through his anagama kiln firings across the country.

For Don, learning is a lifelong pursuit.

Dulce Ramirez was raised in Phoenix. She was first introduced to ceramics in 1998 where she discovered her love of pottery. Dulce worked as a ceramics studio tech for a few years.  After a while she started teaching ceramic classes for special needs children. Dulce used pottery as art therapy, she focused on functional hand-built pieces. Now Dulce is teaching bilingual classes at Phoenix Center of the Arts.

Liz Behnke has been a Phoenix resident since 1990, when she moved to Phoenix to join a large law firm as a young lawyer. She began taking pottery classes at Phoenix Center for the Arts in the mid-1990’s, and continued to take classes off and on while practicing commercial real estate law, until becoming a teaching artist at the Center in 2016 after retiring from law. Her artistic focus is on functional pottery, both thrown and hand built, and her teaching philosophy is to encourage people to develop their natural creativity and learn good techniques to express their artistic ideas in ceramics.

As “Artist in Residence” and Department Head of Ceramics, Jon Higuchi joined the Thunderbirds Center for the Arts in September 2017. From the ground-up, his goal has been to create a sustainable clay studio facility and develop a practical classroom curriculum that welcomes local valley clay enthusiasts from the curious novice to the more accomplished level student.

Jon has been studying pottery in Arizona for over 40 years as an artist and 20 + years as a teacher. He has taught at the Mesa Art Center, Phoenix College and facilitated/demonstrated numerous workshops and events. A notable ceramic artist, he has commissioned works in several prestigious private and corporate collections in the Americas, Japan, Switzerland, Middle East. He also has been an award-winning exhibitor in art shows, galleries around the United States and featured in magazines & news media since 1978.

Jon Higuchi is well known for his teaching skills in throwing on the potter’s wheel, glazing and the ancient Japanese art of “Raku” firing techniques. He also is well balanced in teaching the style of hand building. He seeks to understand everyone’s motivation and the benefits for enrolling in a class. Some choose to begin learning or to improve their clay skills as a hobbyist, teacher, or professional artist. Others take it as a therapeutic break from their high-pressure careers, personal time from family, meeting/making friends or just out of curiosity. He believes in the hands-on approach teaching style, assisting beginning level students from beginning to end, through each step of the process to creating a finished clay piece. Experienced students have the opportunity to work more independently, utilizing his knowledge for problem solving and advancement to a greater skill level. He believes in learning the basic skills well and then the doors to greater possibilities will open.

I began working with clay in the early 1970s, first discovering the potter’s wheel as a hobby and quickly falling under its spell. What started as curiosity grew into a lifelong practice shaped by repetition, patience, and the dialogue between hands and material. In 1974, I joined a pottery co-op in Berkeley, California, where I became part of a lively and generous community of makers. There, I learned the rhythms of shared studio life—communal kilns, glaze buckets, conversations that unfolded over long days, and late-night firings that stretched into morning.

After moving to Georgia, I became a studio assistant and teacher at the Callanwolde Center for the Arts. My work included mixing glazes, loading kilns, maintaining the studio, and supporting students as they developed their skills. Teaching deepened my understanding of clay and reinforced my belief that the material invites focus, humility, and patience.
I continued my education at the Penland School of Craft, studying ceramics with master potters who helped refine my technique and broaden my perspective. These experiences strengthened my connection to traditional forms while encouraging experimentation and personal expression.

Today, I teach at the Phoenix Center for the Arts, where I enjoy guiding others as they discover the grounding, joyful process of working with clay. My current work is rooted in traditional vessel forms, particularly tall jars and basket-like structures. I often incorporate rattan and driftwood, drawn to the contrast between fired clay’s permanence and the natural impermanence of organic materials. This interplay continues to inspire me, reflecting strength and fragility, tradition and play, structure and spontaneity.

I have been teaching Handbuilt Ceramics at the Phoenix Center for the Arts for at least 15 years. I began as a student in 1990. I readily share my experience with clay to allow students to have a successful experience. I love to work directly with the clay to make different designs both functional and sculptural. I am very attracted to textures of all kinds. It’s hard for me to leave a surface unadorned! I make every effort to encourage a fun and challenging classroom time.

Randy Thomas is the maker behind Kiln Fire Clay, where he creates functional ceramics and explores low-fire techniques like horsehair pottery. Detail-driven and hands-on, he enjoys designing pieces that are both practical and artistic, and he brings an iterative “prototype, refine, repeat” mindset to his work in the studio. Outside of pottery, Randy is also a learning and development leader based in Phoenix, Arizona, with 15+ years of experience supporting large-scale workforce training.

Molly W. Schenck (MFA, MEd. RSME/T) is a multi-hyphenated artist and somatic practitioner who is fascinated with human movement and what interrupts its full expression. She is an ISMETA Registered Somatic Movement Therapist/Educator trained in Dynamic Embodiment® and BodyMind Dancing™. Beyond somatic movement, she specializes in the intersection of creativity and trauma. She is the author of Trauma-Informed Teaching Practices for Dance Educators. She has presented workshops and trainings for individuals, organizations, and arts leaders locally, nationally, and internationally including San Francisco Opera, Actors Equity Association, and the Association of Theatre Movement Educators. In 2016, she founded Grey Box Collective – an arts organization that makes weird art about tough stuff – and currently serves as the director and creative producer. For more information visit mollywschenck.com or greyboxcollective.com.

Born and raised here in Phoenix, excelling in arts and crafts as a youth, his first full time job was as a silversmith – just out of High School, developing in him an early respect for Native Arizona silver craftsmanship. The next few years took him into goldsmithing, repair tradeshops, and into the Fine Jewelry realm. He’s enjoyed many decades designing/building fine jewelry and setting precious gemstones. Such employment has taken him all around the U.S. and Japan, a rewarding career as a multifaceted craftsman. Now he is thrilled to pass along the “tricks of the trade”, partnering with students, inspiring them to experience new joys creating treasures to last a lifetime.

Jami Goldman’s artistic journey began in 2008 after moving to Arizona, where she initially explored her love for painting through classes at Scottsdale Parks and Recreation. Her passion for art deepened in 2018 when she discovered fused glass. Though bead-making didn’t resonate, she found her true calling in creating unique glass art, focusing on mosaic, string, and lined designs. Jami uses COE90 glass to craft vibrant plates, trays, bowls, and hanging art, each piece reflecting her love for color and creativity. She transitioned from full-time work to fully dedicate herself to her art career, turning her passion into a thriving business.

Jen Dugan took her first glass fusing class in 2019 and was hooked. She enjoys experimenting and learning new techniques to share with classes. What she likes about glass is it allows someone who might never have thought of themselves as an artist to make something beautiful that they can be proud of. There are so many possibilities with glass as well. It can be as practical as a plate or plants you don’t need to water to as impractical as a jellyfish sculpture garden. 

Kate Cross has been an art teacher for 30+ years and is the Art Lead in her school district. Her own sculptural work is mainly in ceramics, glass, and fibers, with privately commissioned pieces in glass and ceramics. She began building her glass knowledge by taking fusing and stained glass classes at Phoenix Center for the arts over 20 years ago, developing projects for her students as she acquired new techniques. Principals supported her programs by purchasing glass supplies, enabling students to work in this exciting media. As a life-long learner, she continues to take classes and will now be teaching a teen class and kiln carving workshop at Phoenix Center for the Arts.

Sheryl was born and raised in South Phoenix when almost everyone’s parents graduated from Phoenix Union High School.
Her work with glass began almost 50 years ago with stained glass. During college, she worked with her sister and husband to create and install stained glass commissions for Pat Bacon Studio. Then she got her degree, real life started and her glass tools were set aside.

Twenty-five years later, her priorities shifted as she watched the Pentagon burn on September 11th . She turned back to art and began to study glass fusing and mosaic. She also began an exploration of art principles, color, painting and nature photography to hone her composition skills and unique color palettes. Today, that study is reflected in her bold colors, frequent use of glass with metalized coatings, and organic forms. Sheryl focuses on functional pieces for the home, garden art and stepping stones.
Sheryl also enjoys volunteering with local art organizations and serving as a dog therapy team at the VA Hospital in Phoenix.

Sonja London-Hall is a contemporary mosaic, metal, glass, and mixed-media artist based in Flagstaff, Arizona, where she lives and works. Her work is known for celebrating nature through abstract forms and vibrant colors, blending traditional stained-glass techniques with a modern expression.

Education, Training, and Mentorships
Sonja London-Hall’s artistic practice has been shaped by a range of classes, residencies, and mentorships. Her foundational training began with local Flagstaff artist Judy Hartman. Over a career in glass work spanning over 25 years, she has studied with nationally recognized masters including Kathy Claycomb, Joseph Cavalieri, Sean Hennessey, Kate Watkinson, Carol Milne, and Heather Trimlett. She has participated in work-study residencies and received support from prominent art facilities such as the Arrowmont School of Art, Pilchuck School of Glass, Anderson Ranch Arts Center, and the Penland School of Craft.

Career Highlights and Community Engagement
London-Hall’s work has been exhibited in galleries, art shows, and public art installations. She has worked with several local communities and institutions, including exhibiting as a glass and jewelry artist at the Flagstaff Artists Gallery for over two decades. She is also engaged in education, serving as a Dean of Students at Northland Preparatory Academy and as a glass arts instructor at the Phoenix Center for the Arts. Her innovative methodology allows her to explore themes of growth, change, and the interconnectedness of community through her art.

Her career has developed from foundational training to an experimental approach, pushing the boundaries of traditional methods by incorporating varied materials and techniques. A key milestone in her journey was entering her first gallery, which she credits to a mentor seeing her potential. This progression from traditional craft to mixed-media experimentation underscores her belief in art’s power to inspire dialogue and appreciation for the natural world.

Alexis Ludwig is a multidisciplinary artist born in the historic mining town of Silver City, New Mexico. She was first introduced to the arts through family mentors: Great grandmother Mitzi, a master of acrylic landscape painting, and great uncle David, a master ceramicist. Inspired by nature, finding growth, flow, and connection in every project, Alexis was inspired to further her education through advanced design, sculpture, and welding.

Now based in Phoenix, she is the self-taught silversmith behind Cherry Creek Silversmith, a soul-filled handcrafted jewelry store and studio rooted in nature, history, and earth-honoring materials. As the newest instructor at Phoenix Center for the Arts, Alexis leads the “Nature of Metalsmithing” program—a series of entry-level and intermediate silversmithing courses designed to introduce artists to the world of sterling silver jewelry design.

Yvette’s journey into jewelry-making began over 20 years ago when she took her first class at a beloved neighborhood bead store in California – a store she was fortunate enough to later own. Over time, her passion expanded to include metalsmithing and wire work, allowing her to blend intricate techniques with creative design. After relocating to Arizona with her family, she is now building a new creative community by teaching bead weaving, metalsmithing, and wire work at local venues.

Artist Statement: I am passionate about sharing my deep love and connection with the arts, culture, and the creative process.

Amber is a multidisciplinary fine artist who enjoys traveling to distant corners of the world to discover art. She currently works in marketing, education and design. Over the 3 decades, she has refined her skills in painting, drawing, and hand-building, and she looks forward to helping you further develop your own talent and style.

Ana grew up in Phoenix and graduated from ASU with a Clothing & Textiles B.A. (Liberal Arts) and received her MBA from Auburn University while her Air Force husband was in a military school in Alabama. She’s been doing textile arts a very long time, her Mom had her embroidering pot holders as gifts when she was 5. She loves all types of textile arts from embroidery, knitting, crocheting, needlepoint to quilting and sewing. She’s dabbled in paper flowers and mosaics – then there is folkpainting wood furniture. Ana has never met an art form she didn’t love!

Brianna Wolfgang is a certified yoga therapist and creative wellness guide who blends mindful art practices with gentle therapeutic techniques to support emotional expression and personal growth. Drawing from her background in human development, holistic wellness, and community education, Brianna creates trauma-informed art therapy–inspired classes for both youth and adults. Her classes focus on exploration, self-expression, and building confidence through accessible, process-oriented art. Brianna’s compassionate approach empowers students of all ages to tap into their creativity, regulate their nervous systems, and discover new ways to connect with themselves and others.

Inspired by nature, I create from a place of awe and wonder, leaning into an intuitive approach to art. Art has always been a healing practice for me and I love to guide others in discovering their Unique ways to express themselves creatively and discover art as a healing modality. I believe art is a way that the heart speaks to us. I’m currently a Kindergarten teacher going back to creating art full-time. I’ve illustrated a children’s book and I’m open to all the ways in which art takes us to new places within ourselves and the world.

Rosa Phoenix is a teaching artist, meditation instructor and creativity coach, guiding people on a transformative journey to discover their own creative potential, and the healing powers of the creative process. Rosa is a contributing author to Inside Creativity Coaching: 40 Inspiring Case Studies from Around the World, The Creativity Workbook for Coaches and Creatives: 50+ Inspiring Exercises from Creativity Coaches Worldwide, and Artists in Crisis: Rethinking the Mental Health Challenges of Creative and Performing Artists.

Saige Shuquem is a Phoenix based multi-media collage artist. She began working with paper art by making custom greeting cards for loved ones, and has expanded her craft over the last 9 years to include complex, textured collage pieces. Her passion for paper art stems from its resourcefulness, accessibility, and limitless potential. Saige is also passionate about fostering accessible & affordable art practices for neurodiverse and disabled artists, with flexible projects made primarily of found and recycled materials.

Gabriel S. is excited to join the teaching staff as an instructor at Thunderbird Arts Academy. He began playing at an early age, and currently specializes in teaching drums, piano, audio engineering, beat-making, live sound, dj’ing, and bass guitar. He has a wide range of performance experience from gospel, pop, and r&b to jazz, funk, and even metal music. Gabriel has been in the music industry professionally for the last 7 years, and is currently performing with a variety of bands around the valley. He has a passion for a vast variety of types of music and is a skilled audio technician and composer. A few of his favorite artists include William McDowell, DOMI & JD Beck, and James Brown. He enjoys all styles of music, and has experience in a variety of musical genres. He looks forward to sharing his musical knowledge with his students, and help bring their skills to a higher level.

Jay Melberg ( music director/composer) currently works at the Phoenix Center for the Arts and has taught piano and voice for thirty years. He also music directs at several Valley Theaters. Mr Melberg has directed more than 60 shows here in the Valley and past favorites include: Little Shop of Horrors, Ave Q, Xanadu, Million Dollar Quartet, The Buddy Holly Story, The Great Gatsby, The Full Monty, Bring it On, Spamalot, Annie, The Lion King Jr, Twilights Quest, ( TheaterWorks) The Little Mermaid, and Chirstmas Carol. The Good Feelz cabaret at Phoenix Theater and Arizona Broadway Theater. He conducted the Phoenix Childrens Chorus in 1994 at Symphony Hall, and has worked with The All Puppet Players for that past 10 years. He has written eight original musicals that have been produced on stage at ASU Kerr Center, the Phoenix Center and Fountain Hills Theater.

Julie Tuttle teaches class piano at the Phoenix Center for the Arts.  She earned her Master of Music degree in Piano Performance from ASU.  She taught as an adjunct music professor at Phoenix College before joining the wonderful teaching staff at PCA.  She enjoys teaching all levels of class piano, and loves seeing her students find fulfillment in learning this craft.   In addition to teaching – Julie has been a collaborative pianist for many years in Phoenix for musical theater, soloists, church services and more.  When she’s not teaching piano; Julie enjoys practicing piano, reading, Jazzercise and hanging out at home with her husband and 2 cats.

Alexander Neish, a passionate and dedicated university instructor, has dedicated his ambition and vision to honing his artistic craft as a Storyboard Artist, Animator, Character Artist and Illustrator specializing in cartooning, games, comic books and webcomics. With a lifelong passion for drawing, refined by a Masters of Fine Arts from the Savannah College of Art and Design, Alexander has learned to turn his love of creating characters into compelling storyboards and animatics. He has also supplemented his animation studies with instruction in game design and sequential arts. Alexander is adept at 2D and 3D work, and has been trained by world class instructors in MAYA, PHOTOSHOP, and many other applications. He’s studied studio art and film studies at a university, studied art in Florence, Italy and has been a Panelist at 2017 San Diego ComicCon. Alexander tries to bring out various aspects of his experiences throughout his work and is adaptable to a variety of styles. Check out Alex’s Instagram page where he collects a wider range of illustrations, and more cartoon characters. And for extra fun, you can check out his webcomic collaboration, My Roommate, The Internet, on Webtoons!

Aryam aka Yams brings a deep appreciation of nature, reflection, and creative expression into her work. With a background in art, psychology and roots in the community, she sees creativity as a tool for healing, connection, and self-discovery. She was raised in Arizona and shaped by a unique journey that required resilience from an early age so giving back to her community is what drives her forward. Through watercolor, ink, and mindful practices, she encourages students to embrace their individuality and use art to tell their stories. Her teaching invites openness, curiosity, and joy—building space for personal growth and shared understanding.

Brian is a freelance illustrator and self-taught cartoonist with 20+ years experience. He has a Bachelor’s of Fine Art degree from Northern Illinois University. He has taught art to college age and senior age students at a community college back in Illinois. He has been teaching at the Phoenix Center for the Arts since January of 2025.

Much of his work can be found in the “Science & Children” magazine but also in books, greeting cards, T-shirts, training manuals and some animation.

He enjoys helping students and clients develop their creativity and ideas. He believes drawing is a good skill to have even if you’re not an artist.

I am a fluid artist based in Phoenix AZ dedicated to exploring the intersection of color and motion. My journey into abstract art began with a fascination for fluid art five years ago. Over the years, I have refined my process, moving from basic pours to complex, multi-layered compositions that utilize several different fluid art techniques. My work is defined by fluid movement and vibrant color palettes, designed to evoke a sense of energy and flow on gallery-wrapped canvas as I continue to push the boundaries of the fluid medium.

Edna Dapo is the Department Head of Painting and Drawing at the Phoenix Center for the Arts. Dapo started working here in 2007, and in this time has taught over 6,500 students of different ages and abilities. Many of these students keep returning year after year, and are a part of the community of artists under Dapo’s wing.

Edna Dapo has been painting and drawing for three decades, has exhibited her work in many public shows, and has received numerous awards. Dapo’s work has been selected for New American Paintings 70, and was on the cover of American Art Collector (CA, V4 B2). In 2022 Dapo was invited to Scotland to teach a portrait workshop in an artist retreat in the 16th Century Brodie castle. In 2023 Dapo was invited to speak at the GPEC Ambassador event as one of the panelists to discuss Arts and Culture in the Greater Phoenix, which has been made into a podcast. The same year, Dapo won the Phoenix Home and Garden Magazine Reader’s Choice Award for Artist/Artisan, published in February/March issue of 2023.

Dapo has earned an MFA in Painting from SCAD, BFA in Painting from ASU, and a diploma from Art School Luka Sorkocevic in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Dapo also teaches art classes at Mesa and Scottsdale Community College.

You can follow Edna Dapo’s work through Instagram/Facebook: @EdnaDapoArtist or online at www.ednadapo.com.

A graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Art, Erik has been involved with the Phoenix Art and Design communities for the last 23 years. 10 years as an Instructor, 13 years in the print industry, and all the while working on various commissions and pieces for gallery showings.

A believer in the quote “Doing something leads to inspiration, more so, than inspiration leads to doing something.” – unknown; has led to many projects.

Erik is looking forward to working with the PCA and utilizing his various skill sets to assist the Phoenix creative community.

Grant Ray was born and raised in Arizona and has been exploring art for his whole life. Captivated by the challenge of drawing from a young age, he found himself feeling naturally expressive and eager to learn and progress. After years of study and obsession, he now specializes in portraits and figurative art, often mixing abstract expressions with realism and traditional style portraits. He believes that art should be full of expressive freedom, fun, and curiosity. He loves teaching and seeing his students share the same passions and excitement for art.

Hristi Wilbur is a fine artist and maker living in Phoenix, Arizona. She was born in Bulgaria where in 1998 she graduated from The National Academy of Arts in Sofia, earning a Master’s degree in fine arts and a Minor in Art Education. Upon receiving a Green Card by lottery, she moved to New York City in 2001 where her artistic endeavors continued with mural projects and experimentation in acrylics. In 2006, Hristi moved to Phoenix, where she currently resides creating and teaching art.

I am an artist whose practice explores emotions and psychology through portraiture. I use oil paint to capture a feeling in my subject and create a sense of unfiltered emotion. I am inspired by the emotional world of both others and myself. I also love Ceramics and enjoy different art making processes. I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting and Art Education from Arizona State University. I taught high school art for 5 years.

Originally from Michoacán and raised in Ontario, California Juan Paniagua spent summers working alongside his father painting signs and cleaning windows which taught him invaluable lessons about technique and creativity. At 18, he moved to Arizona and, in 2016, began painting murals. Shortly after, he honored his father’s legacy by launching YoYo Signs in Arizona, bringing that family tradition into a new landscape.

Juan works across murals, enamels, acrylics, full format printing, photography, and videography. He believes that art’s true power lies in self-expression which allows people to stand out by being their authentic selves. Sometimes, unexpected mistakes complete a piece—just as in life, imperfections can turn into something meaningful.
Juan sees a united community as stronger and more resilient, and through his art, he hopes to inspire others to create work that uplifts and connects us all.

I have been teaching acrylic painting classes in the Phoenix area since 1998.  Some of what I teach is professional painting to experienced artists from our local art leagues.  But more often I teach fun and easy beginner classes through the City of Phoenix, and various communities around the valley.  I used to have a mural business in the Phoenix area, I used to be very involved with gallery shows, and I have also illustrated several children’s books that are featured on Amazon.  Now most of my focus is teaching beginners, hoping to inspire in them the same love of art that I have always had.  I like to think of it as “Playing with paint”!

My artistic passion is teaching painting, and painting landscapes with oil paint. I paint ‘En Plein Air’ which is to say ‘out-doors’. I am happy painting the landscape out in the heat with the sun in my eyes, with bugs, scorpions and tourists stopping by to say howdy. In 1980 my professional art career began as a commercial illustrator in Los Angeles. A few years later I moved to Arizona to head an art department at an agency in Phoenix. I was using watercolors and acrylic paints for illustration work. But sometime around 1987 I discovered oil paint and fell in love with it. The slower drying time, textures, and the ability to take it outdoors to paint hooked me. Then I began studying oil painting with many of today’s great painters, including T.A. Lawson, Bob Lemler, Kevin MacPherson, Laura Robb, Peggy Kroll, Ray Roberts, Len Schmiel and Matt Smith. Now, I’m grateful for the opportunity to teach at The Phoenix Center for the Arts, and for the opportunity to pass on my love of painting from nature and the techniques I have learned from so many great artists over the years.

Robin Oden holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting from Arizona State University. She has taught painting, drawing, and design across a variety of settings, including Scottsdale Parks & Recreation, Andaz Hotel workshops, Westwind Preparatory Academy, and programs for incarcerated youth through Release the Fear. Robin has also served as Program Manager at Ben’s Bells, coordinating arts programs, budgets, and community collaborations. A practicing freelance artist since 2001, she creates original oil, acrylic, and charcoal works, including murals, landscapes, and portraits.

Tal’s work focuses on presenting high-level technique through painting and drawing. While the narratives in the art may not be immediately striking, the message is clear to those who take time to observe. Tal enjoys the process of sketching multiple ideas, carefully planning, and executing designs with honesty and commitment to quality. The work is a blend of contemporary impressionism and a quest for new artistic forms, often inspired by a variety of themes. Though primarily focused on realistic figures, Tal constantly seeks fresh ideas, treating the canvas almost as if sculpting with paint.

Bill Guy has been a professional photographer for over 35 years and is a certified Adobe instructor and Adobe Certified Expert in Photoshop (ACE). His career has spanned from a home studio to a studio in Prescott, Arizona, and back home again. Throughout, he has remained passionate about photography and helping others enjoy it too.

Since 1998, Celeste has helped hundreds of people preserve their memories. She believes everyone has something to share with their posterity, so she helps them with getting their photos, VHS tapes, etc. digitized and organized. If you have ever said to yourself, “I need to do something with these old movies and photos!”, don’t miss her class. Just think how great it will be to watch and share your home movies again! You will have the peace of mind knowing your memories are safe, and that you have provided a legacy for generations to come. Let her show you how quick and easy it is to accomplish.

Kirby has been active with the Phoenix Center for the Arts since 1994.  For the past 8 years he has been head of the photography department leading students in a variety of classes and workshops to improve their artistic goals.

Leslie is a Phoenix-based photographer with over a decade of professional experience in photography, specializing in portraiture, weddings, and fashion. Her teaching philosophy is the belief that unlocking technical knowledge opens up endless creativity, as we can use any tool we want as long as we know how and what the tool does.

Nick Milotta is a passionate street photography instructor at the Phoenix Center for the Arts, where he teaches the art of capturing the dynamic essence of urban life. A New York native and U.S. Air Force veteran, Nick has called Phoenix home since 2010. His love for photography ignited five years ago, evolving into a fervent focus on street photography. Nick is dedicated to sharing his expertise, inspiring students to discover their own creative spark through the lens.

Tom has over 50 years experience in the film, television, and theatrical industries as an actor, stunt performer and coordinator, director and producer.

Daniel Pereyra is a Brooklyn born, Tempe based writer of poetry and fiction. His work has been feared both in print and online. He is the author of the poetry chapbooks “Sunday Morning Ponderings”, “Yes I Know You Can’t Drive Across The World”, and “Just Another Love Poem”. His full length collection, “How I Learned To Learn New Things” was published by Finishing Line Press in 2019. When not writing he enjoys watching reality television with his wife and playing video games with his son. Visit his website at danielpereyrapoetry.com.

A vibrant voice of love, healing, and community. Performing artist who is passionate about creating emotionally safe spaces for fellow artists and anyone seeking meditation. Author of 6 books that are all poetry & prose. Eternity is also a mystic.

She’s available for one on one sessions for spiritual guidance, poetry workshops/journal meditation. You can also hire her to sing or do a poem at your next event!

Leigh Cuen is a writer who works at Forbes. Her writings about food have been published by The Bold Italic, Culture Magazine, J.weekly newspaper and Common Ground News Service. Her writings about fashion, film, video games and TV have been published by Mic, Romper, Glossy, Elite Daily, Vox (Racked), TechCrunch, Playboy, The Los Angeles Times, and Business Insider. Her literary reviews, poetry and personal essays have been published by the International Museum of Women, Southern Review of Books, Canyon Voices, World Literature Today, Dagda Publishing, Mosaic Literary Magazine, Earth Island Journal, Poetica Magazine, and many more. Follow her work at leighcuen.substack.com.

Damon Begay is an independent Navajo comic artist in Phoenix. He grew up watching cartoons, reading comics and playing Pokemon. In school, He’d draw non-stop in his notebooks and homework. Because he loved drawing Damon went to college for graphic design. Now he writes and draws his own comics. He shares his comic books at comic conventions and local comic books stores.