Instructors:

Sara Bowen: B.A. in Art History from Birmingham-Southern College. Bowen’s interest with ceramic pottery goes beyond simple aesthetics, deep into the history of useful objects throughout the centuries. Although her interest in throwing unformed clay into pots, bowls, planters, and vases began in high school, it was her college education that unlocked her understanding that functional art objects carry the stories of those who once used them far into the future. Currently, she has a home studio. Artist Website: sarabowenpottery.com

Anna Sue Courtney: Attended East Stroudsburg State College in Pennsylvania majoring in visual and performing arts. She is an arts instigator, coordinating interdisciplinary collaborations at her studio as well as for museums, community centers, schools, universities and festivals. She is a member of Puppeteers of America, UNIMA and The Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta. Her puppet company, Squeaking Tribe has been in Huntsville since the 1990’s and she is a founding member of Flying Monkey Arts, the seed community that grew at historic Lowe Mill. She has taught the HMA Museum Academy’s Art for Homeschooled Students Program as well as other classes from preschool to secondary levels. Artist Website: lowemill.art/studio-directory/squeaking-tribe-studios-puppetry-studio-269/

Greg Datcher: Artist and instructor in ceramics. Taught at The Studio in Huntsville. Attended Alabama A&M University, majoring in fine arts. Works in all clay forms from handbuilding to wheel throwing techniques with sculptural qualities.

David Edwards: M.A. in Ceramics from University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa; B.A. in Studio Arts from University of Alabama in Huntsville. He currently teaches at Calhoun Community College as Adjunct Instructor in Ceramics. Managed Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment Center. Served as Program Assistant at The Arts Council, Inc. in Huntsville. Participated in exhibitions, festivals, and shows in Alabama such as the Monte Sano Art Show, Panoply Festival of the Arts, Kentuck Festival of the Arts. His work can be located at The Source (Huntsville) and Kathleen’s (Decatur).

Sara Beth Fair: Artist and educator painting for 17 years. In addition, she has a Ph.D. in optics and hence a technical as well as artistic understanding of light and color. She has taught multiple classes around the country and exhibited in galleries throughout the southeast. Her artistic training has come from independent studies of the masters, plein air painting of nature, along with tutelage from contemporary masters. She spent three years studying with Murat Kaboulov, a Russian Impressionist, along with several students of the great Russian artist Serge Bongart. Her style reflects her love for the Russian Impressionists use of color and large brushwork. For more information, visit sarabethfair.com.

Susie Garrett: B.A. in Communication Graphics from UAHuntsville and M.S. In Art Education from Alabama A&M University. Taught drawing classes at Calhoun Community College, Huntsville City Schools, and private lessons. Her work has been in group and solo exhibitions throughout the southeast. Currently has a studio at Lowe Mill Arts and Entertainment. Artist Website: https://lowemill.art/studio-directory/susie-garrett-studio-126/

Jessica Nunno: Graduated from the School of Visual Arts in NYC and has a BFA in Illustration. Her passion is for Science Fiction and Fantasy Illustration, where she gets to design creatures, characters and build stories. Jessica’s favorite tools to use are markers. They give her the smooth, vibrant colors she is so well known for in her work. She now has a working studio at Lowe Mill, in Huntsville, AL and travels for art festivals as well as conventions and teaching engagements throughout the South. Not, only does Jessica work as an illustrator, but she has 3+ years of experience teaching. She has taught Kindergarteners to Adults all different kinds of art techniques. From digital illustration, figure drawing, creature design, gesture drawing, the elements and principles of art, mixed media and more. Jessica also runs an Art Club called Junior Illustrators Guild open to preteens and teenagers with a passion for art and as a way for them to socialize over common interests. Art is Jessica’s passion. She has a goal of inspiring others to bring more creativity into the world. Artist Websites: https://www.jessicanunnoart.com or through social media using @JessicaNunnoArt and https://lowemill.art/studio-directory/jessica-nunno-art-studio-261/

Melinda Ortner: Over 15 years of experience in stained glass. She specializes in lamps, windows, mosaic garden stones, repairs and a variety of unique home décor. She has spent the past five years as an Instructor for Daimler-Chrysler Training Center, Kids Camp, The Studio and Hobby Lobby. Her instruction reflects her great passion for glass.

Yuri Ozaki: Grew up in a small town in Mie Prefecture on the Kii Peninsula of Japan. The area is known for its unique wet climate and mystical history. This area also features UNESCO World Heritage registered sacred sites and pilgrimage routes. The beauty and mystery of her home region would later influence Ozaki’s work. She moved to the U.S. as a student in 2001. After marrying her first husband, she started painting local cityscapes, mostly downtown Huntsville in watercolor. In 2007, she moved into a shared studio at Lowe Mill, then a small obscure venue. Lowe Mill in Huntsville has since grown into the largest privately owned arts facility in the U.S. Ozaki still maintains a studio and teaches watercolor alongside creating and showcasing her works. Besides painting, she enjoys outdoor activities such as backpacking, open water swimming and trail-running. Ozaki’s work has been juried into many watercolor societies’ national and international shows since 2010. Recently, her painting was selected to be a part of the 50 Stars Exhibition hosted by National Watercolor Society. Artist Website: yuriozaki.com

Gayle Power: Artist and instructor in painting. Artist signature: Herman Gayle. Both formal and informal instruction from University of Alabama in Huntsville and in private study and served as the art director of a private school. As a Southern impressionist artist, Power has exhibited in galleries and has work in private collections across the United States and around the world.

S. Renee Prasil: A champion for local arts, she created the afterschool art program at the Hampton Cove Elementary School (Huntsville City Schools) and began the Visual Arts Ministry at Whitesburg Baptist Center with Debbie Milner. Her expression in art includes murals, portraits, clay vessels, handmade tiles, jewelry, and sculptures. Selected as the 2005 Panoply Arts Festival Poster Artist, Prasil was also awarded the commission for the Port of Huntsville 45th Anniversary Mural located at Huntsville Airport. She ‘feels’ in color, finding the joyous in everyday items and activities. Chooses art to share these feelings. Guiding people of all ages and abilities to find their own means of expression through art is her passion. Prasil – “I find learning/experiencing/engaging to be immensely exciting and hope I continue developing my skill level and interests until I simply am no more. At that time, I hope others continue to be inspired through my experiences on canvas.”

Jennifer Redstreake: Jennifer has been an artist since her wee young days back in New Mexico, where she grew up. Her parents were super supportive and encouraged her to “keep at it,” and by the time she was in her 20’s, she was doing what she loved professionally. She fuels her creativity with green chili and tankards of coffee. Graphic designer/web developer by day and watercolor artist by night, she stays very busy creating and garnering inspiration from everyday things. She is addicted to collecting Daniel Smith watercolors, Ampersand Aquabord™, brushes, and paper. She is known for her Ball Jar watercolor series and painting fur babies for clients all over the country. Artist Website: redstreakecreative.com

Elizabeth Seifried: Masters in Art Education from University of Alabama in Birmingham and B.A. in English and Liberal Arts from Auburn University. Mrs. Seifried was an art teacher with the Huntsville City Schools for over 11 years. She has taught elementary, middle, and high school art classes. She works in all media from oil painting, illustration, and photography. Awarded the University of Alabama in Huntsville STAR Educational Travel Grant to incorporate art lessons while teaching at Academy for Science and Foreign Language. Her work has been displayed in area galleries and universities – Alabama Center for the Arts in Decatur, Hartselle Fine Arts Center, and Huntsville Museum of Art.

Lucy Thomas: I live in Fayetteville, Tennessee with my dreamy husband, 4 teenage boys, 2 black cats and a dog we think is from Mars. What seems like a very long time ago, I earned degree in Theatre Arts and music from Birmingham Southern College and attended school on a voice scholarship. I finally found my real purpose though when, in my late 40s, I started painting. There is no greater pleasure for me than for my art to make someone smile. It is literally created just to give an uncomplicated rush of happiness to the viewer. I have a great time making it and enjoy being able to pass on that joy to patrons and students alike. I regularly have work available at The Little Green Store and Gallery in Huntsville, Alabama and in my home studio. You can see what I have going on at lucyslifeinpictures@instagram.com. Artist Website: lucyisanartist.com

Debra Troyer: Debra began learning to oil paint at the age of 8 from her Italian painting teacher, Ms. Leola Chucci.  Although she did occasional commission work and painted for friends and family, she rediscovered her love for oil painting in 2004 when she acquired a studio in order to paint more regularly. After graduating from the University of Alabama, Huntsville with a B.A. degree in Fine Arts, with a concentration in Art History, she has been working as a multimedia graphics designer professionally.

Troyer – I began painting so young that it is embedded in my DNA.  Through the process of painting a picture, I feel I connect with the environment, landscape, or event that I submerge myself in during the time of the painting until it is finished.  I feel that in my creation and design process I am inspired by nature and the forms found in its beauty. Just as reality is bounded by physical laws, nature is moldable through the paint brush of the artist. Colors and texture in the most basic forms, represent the meeting of art and science, creating a new reality on canvas.

Kami Watson: An award-winning fiber and textile artist, Kami specializes in the labor-intensive technique of wet felting, the ancient process of creating a textile by combining thin layers of wool fiber with soap, water, and agitation. Her work combines process knowledge learned from her mother, techniques gathered through studies with internationally renowned felters, and her own creative exploration. Both a working and teaching artist, Kami resides in Huntsville, Alabama. She works out of her studio at Lowe Mill ARTS, as well as her home. She is a member of multiple juried craft guilds and has shown in exhibitions across the US. Her work is available in her studio and galleries. Website: kamiwatsonstudio.weebly.com