instructors
Find your artistic match from a variety of experienced art instructors with teaching styles ranging from step-by-step instruction, art demos with student choice, or open studio with instructor assistance.
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Sam Sieber
Director Drawing & Digital Art Sam (they/them) has been a professional arts educator since 2001, working with both digital and traditional media. They received their MFA in Illustration from Academy of Art University, and was named an Illinois Artisan by the Illinois State Museum Artisan Program. They have studied art and architecture in Morocco, and calligraphy and fiber art in Japan. At Creative Arts Sam teaches a variety of classes, including Drawing, Sewing, and Digital Art. Sam also taught digital and traditional drawing classes at McHenry County College for over 10 years. 815.219.9243 [email protected] |
Thomas Egger
Development Coordinator Young Artists & Art Camps Thomas brings his experience as a paraeducator to teach the studio's youngest students in a fun, engaging way. He also runs the studio's art camps during school breaks. He worked as a paraeducator at Jacobs High School and as a class assistant at McHenry County College. 815.451.6630 [email protected] |
Scott Little
Site Manager Digital Art & Painting Scott is a professional illustrator and graduate of the American Academy of Arts in Chicago. He enjoys teaching digital and traditional art, painting murals, and pursuing his freelance illustration career. Recent projects include completing over 200 illustrations for the Early Ascent educational app Reading Raven. Scott has also taught classes for McHenry County College youth camps, and at Reprographics Art Supply. "I like the possibilities of children's illustration. I like how in a child's world, a mouse and a tiger talking to each other makes perfect sense. I love the surreal, the unreal, the escape from reality that a child has. I call it the 'what if' factor - as a child I was always asking 'what if?' I would ask my dad, 'What if a UFO suddenly landed right here? What would you do?' As a adult, I feel that I've gotten away from that, that sense of whimsy and sense of fun. I try to recapture that in my art. I try to open a door, or window, into a child's world." 815.403.5724 [email protected] |
Janet Balboa
Colored Pencil Janet Balboa has taught art for adults at The Illinois Institute of Art, and for youth at MCC Kids & College. At Creative Arts she offers classes in which students can learn drawing skills with pencil, colored pencil, and art markers. "We all have the soul of an artist, that longing to be true to ourselves, to live a life that really is ours. I create art so I can ultimately live authentically – free, alive, joyful." 815.219.8492 [email protected] |
Darlene Bremer
Watercolor Darlene holds a BA in Elementary Education with a minor in Art. Her first experience with watercolor painting was in 1982 at McHenry County College when she was hooked and then took many resident courses at Dillman's Creative Arts Foundation in Wisconsin. Her favorite subjects are nature and scenic buildings, and she is having fun teaching adult classes for beginners and intermediates. Gallery: darlenebremer.wordpress.com 847.431.4009 [email protected] |
Linda Cannizzo
Art for Relaxation Linda enjoys engaging minds of all ages in learning the fundamentals of art and enjoying the process of making art. She is a certified Zentangle instructor and yoga teacher. 815.353.1664 [email protected] |
Kathie Jagman
Oil Painting Kathie has an AA in computer science and was a business woman for over 25 years. She's now traded her desk and computer for an easel, brush and canvas. Her work has been displayed at McHenry County College, The Arts Center at The Old Courthouse in Woodstock, and the McHenry States Attorney's Office. "I want my students to enjoy the journey of creating their own artwork. There is an artist in all of us, it just needs encouragement and a little guidance. " 815.353.9297 [email protected] |
Pam Magnuson
Stained Glass Pam works in multiple media, and is a professional stained glass artist and photographer. "Revealing the light is everything to me. Whether it’s stained glass, graphite, oil paint or photography, I am drawn to how the elusive quality of light can create a sense of place, an instance of presence in the day to day shuffle of our lives. Light is my inspiration." 815.236.6205 [email protected] |
Therese Wiser
Drawing & Painting Therese studied figure drawing, painting and illustration at The American Academy of Art, Chicago. She has been a graphic designer for over fifteen years, and served on the Board of Directors of The Northwest Area Arts Council for five years. Along with teaching classes at Creative Arts, she has taught drawing and painting at McHenry County College for Continuing Education as well as Kids and College. “I enjoy helping the students with their Creative Choice artwork. It is amazing to see the beautiful artwork that they accomplish. With a little guidance and a few suggestions, the students become more confident while learning new skills.” 815.529.7504 [email protected] |
Venarella Hinckle
Watercolor Workshops Venarella first studied the medium of Watercolor under a local Watercolorist. She fell in love with the flow of water and pigment. She now specializes in Pet Portraiture and in teaching others the amazing effects you can achieve with the beauty and transparency of Watercolor. She offers step-by-step Watercolor Workshops at the Creative Arts studio in Woodstock, as well as Zoom classes. “I learned what it means to paint what you love.” 815.245.4959 [email protected] |
Kimmarie Rosa
Fiber Arts Kimmarie has loved fiber arts since she was a child. She studied the arts with a BA at Cardinal Stritch University, and earned her MFA at Western Illinois University. "I love fiber arts for its beauty and simplicity. Yarn, sticks, strings and hooks are some of the only tools needed to convert wool into items of clothing, painted landscapes, lace and sculpture. What a fascinating and versatile art to explore." 414.313.7046 |