Faculty
Jean Adams
Jean Reiter Adams is a native of Bergen County, New Jersey. She earned her Bachelors of Arts degree in Art Education from Wilkes College in 1978. Since 1985, Jean has been teaching in the Art Department at Wilkes University, teaching both ceramic and survey classes. While she considers working at the potter’s wheel to be her first love, Jean has been teaching hand building techniques along with wheel throwing for the past thirty-seven years.
“I enjoy making quiet and simple pots that you can live with and react to on a daily basis. I want my pots to serve a purpose, but also stand on their own as strong visual objects. I am intrigued with how clay works; it is fluid by nature, then fixed, and fragile in its final form. I grew up in a house that valued working with your hands and the value of good craftsmanship. I have worked in clay since 1976 because I love the medium and that love has helped me stay excited for all these years. I strive for the highest quality that my abilities allow me to achieve – which is what I also look for in my students.”
Jean is a resident of Blue Bell, PA.
Cecilia Armstrong
Instructor
In Cecilia’s life pottery has served as an essential, restorative outlet. She has worked on and off at the CAC for many years, both as a student and as a Ceramic Studio Technician. In her own work, Cecilia focuses heavily on the form, functionality and feel of her pieces.
Nancy Barch
Instructor
Nancy has taught at CAC for over 12 years. She teaches both yearly classes and workshops of various media. As a signature member of the American Watercolor Society, the National Watercolor Society, and the Philadelphia Water Color Society, the work of Delaware County Artist Nancy has traversed the United States. She has garnered a number of coveted awards for her work in a variety a media including Best of Show in the Pennsylvania Watercolor Society. This year, 100 Artists of the Mid Atlantic, published by Amazon.com books, has a feature article on Nancy’s experimental work. www.nancybarch.com
Nadia W. Bond
Nadia’s Webpage: www.thepottersguild.com
Working as an Interior Designer for more than thirty years has given me a love of grace and line I try to incorporate into the pieces I throw. I consider myself not just a potter, but an artist trying to find beauty in clay. Recently, I have been experimenting with combining my love of hand building and sculpting clay with the pieces I throw on the wheel. This has taken my work into a new and exciting level of design.
I believe we never stop learning. Everyday is a new day to explore the clay, and learn how far we can push and pull our way to a beautiful work of art.
Nadia teaches workshops: gas glazes, bat making and Psyanki Egg decorating at the Arts Center on select weekends. Go to classes tab to sign up for the currently registering Semester.
Effie Brenner
Effie’s webpage: http://paleoelegance.com/effie-brenner
Effie Brenner is a graduate of the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and is a member of the Potter’s Guild. She has extensive experience in hand built ceramics with a concentration on the ancient coil technique. Her pieces have won awards in regional art shows, have been exhibited in galleries and can be found in prominent collections in the U.S and abroad.
Effie teaches handbuilt pottery specializing in the use of coil on Friday morning at the Arts Center. Go to classes tab to sign up for the currently registering Semester.
Lisa Burger-Lentz
Lisa’s Website: www.lisaburgerlentz.com
I am a graduate of the Certificate program at PAFA in painting and printmaking. I participate in several area Plein Air painting events such as Saranac Plein Air Festival and Brandywine Valley Plein Air. I am a printshop assistant at PAFA on Wednesday nights in exchange for access to the printshop. I have taught drawing at various art centers including CAC and have recently begun teaching Printmaking 101 at CAC.
Lisa Campbell
Instructor
Hi there! My name is Lisa Campbell and I’m an educator and youth yoga instructor. I discovered yoga in my twenties, around the same time that I began teaching in classrooms. My own practice inspired me to bring the joy of yoga to children. I have completed courses in Yoga Calm, an approach to teaching yoga, mindfulness practices and social-emotional skills to children in educational and therapeutic settings. I have a bachelor’s degree in Counseling and master’s degrees in Early Childhood Education and Educational Leadership. My passion is creating communities where children can discover inner strengths through yoga.
Stephen Coleman
Instructor
My name is Stephen Coleman, and I am an instructor at the Community Arts Center. I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Widener University have extensive experience as teaching artist.
For over 10 years, I have taught art at various organizations, including PAFA (the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts), the Philadelphia Sketch Club, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Main line Art Center.
My specialty is painting – specifically watercolor and drawing. I also enjoy learning about other artistic methods and disciplines.
I have taught all age groups from elementary school student to adults. I enjoy teaching art to others and allowing them to express themselves. My goal as an instructor is to ensure that my students learn, enjoy and challenge themselves through my classes.
Robert Deane
Bob Deane is a potter and painter who was raised in the Media, PA area. He earned a B.F.A in Ceramics from Bloomsburg University in 1988. His work has been shown in many local stores and galleries. Recently, Bob has been immersed in working with local creek clay and discovering the connection between the ground he walks on and the artwork he creates. He currently teaches at the Community Arts Center in Wallingford, PA, at the Mainline Art Center and the Wayne Arts Center both on Philadelphia’s Main Line. Bob has been a member of the Potters Guild since 1991.
Bob teaches handbuilt pottery and the wheel on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at the Arts Center. Go to classes tab to sign up for the currently registering Semester.
Laura Demme
Laura’s Website: www.thepottersguild.com
As an artist working in various media, Laura Demme’s art education began early as the daughter of an artist. Drawing, painting and sewing from the age of six, Laura continued her study through high school, then a year living at Peters Valley Craft School. Originally drawn to weaving, spinning and dyeing, Laura realized the versatility of Off the Loom techniques such as crocheting, knitting and embroidery. Moving to NYC, Laura worked as a Crafts Designer and Assistant Editor at Good Housekeeping Magazine and contributed designs to Voque Knitting, Needlework, and other publications. As a Free Lance Designer for 14 Years in NYC, Laura worked with design houses contributing unique knit designs and inspiration to Geoffrey Beene, Ralph Lauren and many others. Laura then started painting. Laura’s work in oil on canvas and gessoed paper showed at a few invitationals in NYC and Art Shows in Atlanta and Rice University in Texas. Laura then retired from the textile industry, and married, gave birth to a daughter and took up Ceramics. Concentrating on Raku Firing and other Low Fire techniques Laura uses her mixed media sensibility to create Mixed Media figures, Vignettes, Sculpture and many other decorative pieces. Her continued exploration of technique and media include concrete, metal work (jewelry and steel welding), encaustic and acrylic abstract painting and gardening. Whenever she needs to know about something Laura takes a workshop with whoever is the definitive person. Laura Demme is a juried member of the Pa Guild of Craftsmen and a Potters Guild Member. She teaches Raku Firing, Hand Building and Encaustic Painting at Community Arts Center, Wayne Art Center and Cheltenham Center for the Arts. You can look forward to integrating all that I have learned and experienced into my artwork, to fully express what it is to be an artist, and to inspire others to explore and expand their horizons.
Laura teaches handbuilt pottery specializing in the use of raku and alternative firing on Wednesdays at the Arts Center. Go to classes tab to sign up for the currently registering Semester.
Sara Dolan
Sara Dolan is a long time CAC Summer Spree teaching artist who is also a teacher at Christ Church preschool in Media during the school year. She began practicing the art of Ebru, a traditional Turkish art form that creates magnificent marbled papers and fabrics, about a year ago and now is happy to share her skills with people interested in this beautiful and exciting art form.
Margaret Ewing
Margaret was born and educated in California where she studied Fine Art at Long Beach State. She received a scholarship to Moore College of Art and Design, where she completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts with an emphasis in Graphic Design. She has been teaching at CAC for the past 16 years first in young children classes and Outreach at Chester Upland. She now teaches Lego Adventure classes, and Movie Making at CAC, as well as Drawing and Painting Classes at Plush Mill Senior Living in Wallingford.
Trisha Flaherty
Instructor
https://www.patriciaflahertyfineart.com/
Tricia is a multifaceted artist whose work spans various mediums, each reflecting her deep creativity and attention to detail. She specializes in fine art, bringing her visions to life through vibrant glass on glass mosaics that capture light and depth in stunning ways. Her alcohol inks create fluid, dynamic pieces that showcase her ability to embrace the unpredictable beauty of the medium. Tricia also finds inspiration in everyday moments, rendering oil paint that evokes warmth and passion for exploring color, texture, and form, leaving an indelible impression on all who view it.
Brad Hagmayer
Instructor
Brad Hagmayer is a Ceramic Artist from Royersford, Pennsylvania. Beyond Royersford,
Brad has been doing art since a young child and has won numerous awards in several mediums. A graduate of Bloomsburg University in Bloomsburg Pennsylvania, with a BA in Art Studio, in 1988.
Brad has focused his talents in the last ten years on his ceramic arts. He is a member of the Community Arts Center in Wallingford, Pennsylvania where he is known for his Octopus, Mushrooms, Rabbits and French Bulldogs as well as a few other creatures. He works with both Low Fire and High Fire clays and glazes and dabbles in Raku as well.
Brad has also practically used his admiration with animals by spending his adult life working in the Veterinary Field and is currently a Practice Manager for a veterinary office in the western suburbs of Philadelphia.
Gail Herring
Gail Ann Herring is a graduate of Kutztown University (BS in Art Education), and also Maryland Institute College of Art (MFA). A personal interest in botanical subjects lead her to study at the New York Botanical Garden, where Gail worked at mastering scientific illustration techniques, and completed the certificate program in Botanical Illustration. As a teaching artist, Gail has worked with students of all ages in youth classes and adult workshop settings, as an artist-in-residence (age 3 – high school), and as an adjunct instructor in Early Childhood Arts Education (college). Gail has engaged in numerous collaborations with artists, teachers, and community-based programs to develop and mentor arts-integrated learning experiences focused on literacy and the arts.
Gail teacher drawing fundamentals to children and botanical drawing to adults each semester. Go to the classes tab select the semester you want to register for and Gail’s name for more information and to register.
Patrick Hoban
Instructor
Pat Hoban was born in the suburbs of Philadelphia where he discovered his love of ceramics as a freshman in high school. From there, he went onto study ceramics and sculpture at Penn State University, where he received his BFA in Sculpture in 2015. In 2016, He received a full scholarship and assistantship to the University of Alabama. There, he exhibited work at various galleries in town and around Tuscaloosa and Birmingham, AL as well as had two solo exhibitions. He also has three permanent public art pieces displayed in various cities in Alabama. In spring of 2019 he graduated with his MFA in Ceramics. From there, he became the woodfire kiln tech at the Clay Studio of Missoula and a teaching artist at the Missoula Art Museum where he educated many community artists as well as elementary and middle school students in the area in various artistic mediums. While In Missoula, he exhibited work in various juried shows, community exhibitions and was a Resident Potter for the Missoula Tea Company. He is now a kiln tech and teacher for the Community Art Center.
Bridget Hughes
Bridget’s Webpage: www.thepottersguild.com
When I started working with clay in 1996, it was the once a week creative outlet I had while working multiple jobs. It continued this way for many years although the jobs were eventually replaced with multiple children. As my children grew older and I could devote more time to clay, my hobby became my passion. I was an Associate at the Community Arts Center in Wallingford for many years before becoming a member of the Potters Guild. I teach hand-building at the Community Arts Center and sell my work both locally and nationally.
Bridget teaches handbuilding ceramic classes on Monday night and Tuesday mornings each semester and Clay Fun on Friday workshops. Go to classes tab select a semester and Bridget’s name for more information and to register.
Joel Keener
Instructor
“Residing and working in Claymont Delaware, Joel considers himself to be a realist with a traditional fine art background. Having worked in various mediums from pencil to cast bronze sculpture, his passion for art began in high school and after 57 years, this passion is vibrant as ever. After serving in Viet Nam, he was accepted to college and further graduated with a Master’s in Fine Arts Degree in Sculpture. Joel has exhibited internationally, and his work adorns numerous private collections. Now retired from teaching fine art and design in higher education, he devotes much of his time to sculpture and drawing. He has crafted his drawing techniques which he calls energy drawings and messy lines to a fine art teachable discipline. His energy drawings won him numerous awards in numerous Science Fiction and Fantasy Art shows from 1998 to 2012. He subscribes to the idea that with this technique, almost anyone can create dynamic and beautiful drawings. His drawings range from softly toned nudes and portraits to wildly abandoned pencil and eraser strokes that burst from the paper and draw the viewer into the work with intriguing detail.”
Website: https://myownlines.com
Jessica Leis
Instructor
Jessica Leis is a teaching ceramic artist in Philadelphia Pa.
Everyday is a gift when you get to touch clay. The tactile experience of molding and firing transforms the earth into objects that create everyday moments of joy.
Jessica teaches wheel throwing for teens and adults at Wallingford Community Art Center. When she’s not behind the wheel you can find her at fluffypuppottery.com
Wendy Liss
Instructor
Wendy Liss is an artist, designer, and educator. Her current work consists of hand-built ceramic sculptures and outdoor installations that explore various clay bodies and firing methods. Inspired by nature and the human figure, Liss works out of her studio in the suburbs of Philadelphia where her creative process is driven by the energy and environment she is in.
Liss earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts (‘84) and an Art Education Certification(‘85) from Moore College of Art in Philadelphia, PA.
Her work is shown throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and is available through InLiquid, The Art Shop at Moore College of Art and Design, and Parisa Rugs & Decor in Old City Philadelphia.
Matiko Mamaladze
Matiko Mamaladze was born in 1964 in Tbilisi, Georgia. She grew up in an artistic family, surrounded by her mother’s and grandfather’s paintings. They were a source of inspiration to Matiko and encouraged her to study art. The creative atmosphere she was immersed in influenced her to such an extent, that from early times drawing and painting became necessities she couldn’t imagine herself without. Matiko studied in the Nikoladze Art School and at the Academy of Fine Arts in Tbilisi. Matiko’s work is figurative and centers on subjects, which she finds unique and interesting. Matiko Mamaladze is an award-winning artist and her paintings can be found in many private collections across Europe and The United States. http://www.matiko.us/
Matiko teach’s a drawing class on Monday’s and a oil painting class on Friday’s here at the CAC. Go to the classes tab, select a semester and Matiko’s name for more information and to register.
Mary Martin
Instructor
Mary Martin has been working with clay for over 40 years, bringing both experience and passion to her teaching. She began teaching at the Arts Center 12 years ago, starting with teen classes and leading creative craft birthday parties. Over time, her focus has evolved to teaching Adult Beginner Pottery (101), where she enjoys helping new students discover the joy of working with clay.
Mary is a retired high school counselor and currently serves as an advisor at the college level, bringing a strong background in education and mentorship to her classes. A lifelong resident of Media, she values community and connection, which is reflected in her welcoming and supportive teaching style.
Dori McClennen
Instructor
I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from the University of Pennsylvania and was a middle school teacher in Philadelphia before my children were born. Now as a second career, I’m teaching Beginning Jewelry at the CAC and occasional workshops at Blue Santa Beads. I enjoy taking Interweave classes from teachers around the country in my spare time and I’ve also dabbled in oil painting, watercolors, and pottery.
John Meehan
John T. Meehan III was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Tyler School of Art at Temple University, in 1982 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting. In 1993, he received a Masters of Fine Arts in Painting from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. John’s paintings can be seen at Jon Law’s Gallery and Frame Shop in Surf City on Long Beach Island, NJ, at the William Ris Gallery in Stone Harbor, NJ, and the Main Street Gallery in Manasquan, NJ.
Alice Meyer-Wallace
Alice Meyer Wallace, born in Philadelphia in 1941, lives and teaches painting in Naousa, Paros, Greece.
She graduated from RISD in 1963, European Honors program final year in Italy (1963), has lived in Majorca, Spain where she has a house and Paros, Greece where she has a converted goat shed.
She hibernates each winter in Pennsylvania, where she paints and teaches and keeps warm. She taught at the Aegean Center of Fine Arts for 10 years in Paros. Has illustrated children’s books. Teaches now at the Main Line Art Center, the Chester Springs School, and The Plastic Club in Pa.
Watercolors can be seen at Yria in Lefkis, Paros, Greece.
Jane Miluski
Jane has co-taught plein air workshops in Tuscany, Scotland and Sicily, and has taken groups to Jamaica to paint on location. She also conducts workshops for groups in the tri-state area. Her work was featured in American Artist magazine in 2004. A signature member of both the Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Watercolor Societies, she was the first woman elected president of the Philadelphia Watercolor Society. She has also served on the boards of the Rittenhouse Square Fine Arts Annual, the Delaware Valley Art League, the Artists Guild of Delaware County, and the Community Arts Center. http://www.janebmiluski.com/
Marina Momboisse
Instructor
Marina Momboisse is a local ceramic artist and current soda kiln tech here at the CAC. Her ceramic works are most often large carved vessels, both wheel thrown, and hand built. Often a mixture of the two. She is inspired by nature’s phenomena and organic patters, forms, and textures. Particularly those found in and around the ocean.
She was born in the Philadelphia area and is also a French citizen. She studied art in New York City where she earned a BFA in Photography from Parsons School of Design and currently resides in Media.
Charley Parker
Instructor
Charley Parker studied painting at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. For the past several years he has been teaching at the Delaware Art Museum, the Delaware College of Art and Design and Jester Artspace. Charley works in and teaches workshops and classes in gouache, water mixable oil and ink and watercolor. Charley is the author of the popular arts blog, Lines and Colors: http://linesandcolors.com
Website: http://www.charleyparker.com
Karen Sacks
Karen Sacks is a teaching artist living in Wynnewood, PA. She graduated with a BFA from Clark University and studied both Ceramics and Illustration at the Philadelphia College of Art. She is presently identified with the “Slab to Fab” pottery classes she developed and teaches. New to her repertoire are classes and workshops using paperclay, a nontraditional clay that defies the usual “rules” that apply to traditional clay. No matter what materials are being used, Karen’s creative approach to teaching generates a satisfying experience when working with clay and is geared to everyone who has ever been frustrated trying to make a finished pot, platter or serving piece.
In addition to her teaching duties, Karen is a member of the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen as well as the Haverford Guild of Craftsman. She is also a founding member of the “Knitsters”, a group of knitting artists. When she is not playing with clay you can find her quilting, reading or enjoying her children.
Jim Sheffler
Ceramic Studio Manager/Instructor
While working as a licensed Chemical Engineer, Jim began taking classes at the Community Arts Center in 2006. In 2009, Jim became an Associate at the arts center and was juried into the Potters Guild in 2016. Jim joined the staff in 2017 as the Studio Coordinator. He also teaches Ceramic Wheel Class on Friday mornings here at the CAC.
Shari Sikora
Instructor
I am an artist; it’s not what I do, but simply who I am and always have been. I started with two dimensional art, and still work as a graphic designer, then I touched clay! I molded, I pinched, threw, manipulated, wedged, pressed, paddled, assembled . . . clay. I loved the feel of it. The simplicity. Clay drew me in and has yet to let me go! I embraced the joy and therapy of “playing in clay.” My work has often been described as animated. I attribute the “life” in my pieces to my ability to keep it fun and playfully loose.
I now enjoy sharing that joy of “playing in clay” through teaching at The Community Art Center.
Ann Suchecki
Ann’s Webpage: http://www.thepottersguild.com/ann-suchecki/
Ann Suchecki has a Masters of Arts in Ceramics from the University of Louisville and maintains a studio in Media, Pennsylvania. Her love of the material and interest in sharing that love with others has made me a passionate teacher. She teaches ceramics classes at the Community Arts Center of Wallingford and kindergarten at The School in Rose Valley and member of the Potters Guild. You can contact her at sucheckipottery@rcn.com
Mark Tyson
Instructor
Kate White
Kate’s webpage: http://www.thepottersguild.com/artists#/kate-white
Kate White teaches mixed media and ceramics every weekday at the CAC and has been a member of the Potter’s Guild since 2006. “I’ve always loved to paint and draw ever since I can remember. When I was a young girl I was given pottery lessons with Ricky Wolfe in her Swarthmore studio but it wasn’t until I was attending West Chester University, studying Philosophy that I decided to take a pottery class as an elective and I fell in love with it. I took every ceramics class that was offered there and then I started taking classes at CAC.”