Who We Are

Gregory Baldwin was born in South Boston, Virginia. He is a graduate of Virginia State University and has done graduate work at the University of Delaware. He was an employee of the Delaware Public School system for 30 years. Greg exhibits and sells his work in juried shows in the tri-state area. He is often commissioned by numerous homeowners from New York to Colorado to Florida to create custom pieces for their homes. For more than 23 years, Greg has instructed many people in our area in the art of stained glass.

Rachel Barton has appeared in many regional and dinner theatre productions throughout Connecticut, New York, and Pennsylvania. She has also appeared in commercials and film and has been involved in post production work for satellite broadcast. As co-chairperson of a regional Film Commission she worked with the Connecticut State Film Office on productions for national and international television, and film including Mr. Deeds with Adam Sandler, In Bloom with Uma Thurman, Manchurian Candidate with Denzel Washington, and War of the Worlds with Tom Cruise. She was involved with a Screening Room series showcasing documentary and short feature films. Her teaching credentials include 25 years of teaching drama and working with casting agencies and productions companies such as Columbia and Sony pictures. Rachel's teaching goal is to inspire and motivate students by creating a fun and challenging learning environment.

Paul completed his general requirements to earn his Bachelor’s Degree in music with Thomas Edison State College, New Jersey. Prior he studied commercial music at Rowan University, which specialized in music performance in jazz piano, composition and classical piano styles. Paul left school before completing his degree to pursue a music career where he played in show bands in the tri-state area including Atlantic City. He continued his studies and worked to develop an open style of blues. He also has written original material, arrangements and recorded music for radio advertisements, local cable television, in-house hotel music and a Miss New Jersey contestant. Before temporarily leaving the music scene Paul won an in-house advertising campaign for QVC Network and began a career with QVC. Having missed being involved in music, he slowly returned to it playing, beginning with 2 Christian churches, private parties, as an accompanist for singers and in small club venues.

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Erin Burg has been involved with the Center for the Creative Arts for many years; first as a student, and now as an instructor. As an owner of the Pottery Road Show, LLC, a mobile ceramic studio, Erin co-led several SAGO classes during the summer along side her mother and business partner, Elaine Burg. Her work with the Pottery Road Show, LLC has given her the opportunity to instruct people of all ages and backgrounds, including Girl Scouts, disadvantaged youth, senior citizens and mentally challenged adults. Erin has also worked at the Everyday Artists "Paint Your Own Pottery" studio in Hockessin, sharing her knowledge of pottery and ceramics with children and adults in a variety of methods. Erin will graduate from St. Mark's High School as a member as a class of 2004. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Key Club, Law Club and a participant in a number of other extracurricular activities. She has participated in the St. Mark's art program throughout her high school career, taking classes in 3-Dimensional Designs, as well as Pottery I and II. Erin serves as the Captain of the Wilmington Lady Colts High School Rugby Team. She has traveled to Europe and Australia and is planning to attend Elon University in Burlington, NC where she intends to major in Secondary English Education with a minor in Human Services.

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Joan Messick Frain is a native of Hockessin, Delaware and now resides in Exton, Pennsylvania with her husband and two children. Joan has a degree in Graphic Design and has continued her studies in botany and horticulture. She was employed as staff artist at Longwood Gardens from 1974 to 1980 when she retired to work freelance from her home studio. Her clients include Frankin Mint, Mirage Hotel and Casino, the San Diego Zoo, the Philadelphia Zoo, Calloway Gardens, Disney as well as various publishing houses and private companies. Joan has over 25 years teaching experience in the field of botanical art. She has taught at Longwood Gardens, University of the Arts, the Fleishcher Memorial School in Philadelphia and has ongoing group and private lessons. Joan is a member of the American Society of Botanical Artists, is accredited with the Royal Horticultural Society of England, and is currently the President of the Philadelphia Society of Botanical Artists. www.joanfrain.com

Sara started studying photography in 8th grade. By her junior year of high school she was accepted early to Parsons School of Design in NYC. In 1999, she completed BFA from University of the Arts in Philadelphia. She has worked as a lab technician and teachers assistant for Delaware County Community College. Since graduation Sara's focus has shifted toward drawing and illustration. Sara is currently working on creating a comic book. She lives in Glen Mills, PA with her two Siamese Cats, Ryu and Akita.

Marji Gravett received a BS in Fine and Commercial Art from Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas. The artist has concentrated her efforts in the fine art field. Marji has been extensively involved in the arts in the New Castle County area since 1970. She has developed courses for all ages in Acrylic Painting, Drawing, and Watercolor. She has conducted workshops, co-owned a painting and craft gallery, conducted snow-fence art shows, and engaged in art activities with the handicapped through "Special Arts". She currently co-directs the Gallery at the Terrace at Greenhill with her daughter Mignon, and is an active Member of Council of Delaware Artists, Philadelphia Sketch Club, Delaware County Artists Guild, and a lifetime member of the Center for the Creative Arts in Yorklyn. In 1995, the artist co-designed and produced the three-wall mural in the Children's Room at the New Hockessin Library. In her studio, the artist continues to develop the "Nature Babies" series of watercolors first introduced in a solo show in the Esther Shallcross Marshall Gallery at the Center for the Creative Arts (CCArts), in December 1987. This series depicts tiny children who dwell in woodland and garden plants. Marji continues to develop the "Child's-Eye Views" series of watercolors initiated in the 1980's. This series captures the essence of children experiencing wonder and joy in everyday life. Marji's most recently initiated series of watercolor paintings is "Heart and Halo Works." Begun in the spring of 1995, this series depicts the activities of very young angels (ages 2 to 6), who are developing nurturing skills they will need as adult angels. Nature is their schoolroom, baby animals and other immature creatures their playmates. Exhibiting extensively in Delaware and neighboring states, the artist's solo gallery exhibits include the Vernon L Good Gallery; Main Street Gallery in Middletown; Kershaw Gallery in Newark; Hardcastle's Gallery in Wilmington; Luther Towers Gallery; Peacock Alley at DuPont Country Club; Esther Shallcross Marshall Gallery at the Center for the Creative Arts; and The Easel, DuPont Hotel, Wilmington. Juried shows include the Philadelphia Sketch Club Watercolor Show; Philadelphia Sketch Club Photography Show; Center for the Creative Arts Regional Shows; Chester County Art Association Juried Watercolor Show; Artist's Guild of Delaware County, Pa.; and the D.F.Y.A. Greenville Art Show. The artist was a participant in the October 1996, Council of Delaware Artists exhibit "Image and Word" at Clayton Hall, Newark, Delaware. The show included works by 27 pairs of Artists and Poets, illustrating each other's works, culminating in a published book. Other group exhibitions include Your Home Art Gallery, Wilmington; Ark II Gallery in Flemington, N.J.; Hardcastle's Gallery, Wilmington; the Esther Shallcross Marshall Gallery at the Center for the Creative Arts, Yorklyn; Luther Towers I and II Galleries, Wilmington; the Governor's Office, Wilmington; the Peninsula Collection, Lewes; and the invitational exhibit, "Nancy Sawin and Others; 80 Years in Hockessin" in the Auditorium Gallery, Center for the Creative Arts, Yorklyn, June 1997.

Mignon Gravett is an art teacher at the Center for the Creative Arts in Yorklyn, Delaware, and the Pike Creek Christian School in Pike Creek, Delaware. She has taught students from 5 years of age to seniors in Delaware and Pennsylvania for more than 14 years. Mignon is a practicing artist, showing for many years in regional galleries and exhibits. Using watercolor and acrylics, she primarily paints loose, impressionistic landscapes and florals with rich, vibrant colors and strong lights and darks. Mignon teaches in watercolor and acrylics for adults, and her children's classes include painting, drawing, clay, tile, printmaking, mazes, marbling, beading, carousels, engraving, woodburning and more.

Cindy is a professional potter with 20+ years of experience. She studied pottery for 2 years while studying graphic design in her hometown of Pittsburgh. Cindy exhibits her work at local art shows and her pottery is often for sale in the CCArts Unique Gallery Shop. Cindy began teaching pottery at CCArts to children during the first SMArts classes (Saturday Morning Arts for Kids) during the Winter, 2008 semester. Enthusiasm for her classes quickly swelled and Cindy now has a following of young children who proudly display their beautiful artwork at the end of each series of classes. Students are eager to register for the next session and SMArts pottery classes frequently sell out. Members are welcome to attend SMArts Shows to see pottery, drawings, paintings and a theater performance as students show off their work at the end of each session. Not only does Cindy have the magic touch with children, she has recently begun teaching “Continuing Pottery”, bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Thursday evening adult potters. Because Cindy spends hours outside of her Saturday morning classes tending to the details of firing her students’ work, she became acquainted with adult students who frequent the pottery studio and was quick to fill in when the need arose. When not in the pottery studio at CCArts, Cindy can be found in the Absalom Jones studios as an assistant to Ray Lewis, a frequent exhibitor in the Annual Artisans Show. She also enjoys time in her garden and attending sports events with her husband and two sons.

Diana Heitzman is a former art director and account executive who left the advertising world to pursue her dream of raising a family and painting watercolors. Diana's many years of creating have given her a strong foundation and have enabled her to see nature's colors and interpret them on paper. When her children were toddlers, Diana lived on the Connecticut Sound and painted lighthouses and seascapes. After her children were school-age, Diana and her husband moved to Chester County where she began painting plant and flower illustrations. Currently, Diana is a member of the American Society of Botanical Artists and works as an art instructor as well as designs her own watercolors in Delaware and Pennsylvania. Diana is a graduate of Tyler School of Art, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, and she studied advertising at Moore College of Art.

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Vince Lardear teaches brass and woodwinds at the Center for the Creative Arts. He is a native of Wilmington, Delaware. He was selected to the McDonalds's All-American Concert/Jazz Band and the All-East Jazz Ensemble. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree and Performer's Certificate from Indiana University along with a Master of Music degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. He has studied with prominent musicians including, David Baker, Jimmy Heath, Barry Harris, Lee Konitz, and Phil Woods. Vince placed third in the 1999 East Coast Jazz Festival's emerging artist competition. He is a former member of the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra under the direction of Buddy Morrow and played lead alto with The Illinois Jaquet Big Band for six years until the legendary saxophonist’s death in July, 2004. Composer, arranger, educator and artist, Vince's talent is a presence on the jazz scene in the Philadelphia, PA, Wilmington,DE, and surrounding areas. Comments about Vince’s performance: ************* "I was amazed - not just by his sound and technique, but by his mature improvisations and his obvious awareness of the saxophone's historic roots..." Phil Woods ************* "Man...you ALWAYS sound good!"… Illinois Jacquet ************* "A first class player who overflows with compelling ideas executed with masterful technique and harmonic sophistication..." Jazz Times Magazine ************* "Pungent and sweet, but always swinging..." Philadelphia Weekly

Lisa Lutwyche has been teaching at CCArts since 1992. Lisa’s diverse background includes a BFA in studio art, a BA in Art History and post-graduate studies in architecture and design. She has been a professional designer since 1980, a published poet since 1973, an exhibiting watercolorist since 1975 and she sings and performs in community theater in Philadelphia. She also teaches “independent arts” for people with special needs in Maryland, which is rewarding and life-affirming. Lisa’s watercolors and poetry have won, and been nominated for, awards in many parts of the US and she has been published overseas as well. She is currently seeking an agent for her novels. One of the most exciting things to Lisa is the success of her students. Some have gone on to publication of poetry or fiction and sales of their watercolors.

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The following was excerpted from Mary Key's website, www.marykaymann.com. Mary Kay Mann is a freelance performer and teacher in the state of Delaware and in Delaware County, PA. She is on the faculty of the Center for the Creative Arts, in Yorklyn, DE and maintains a teaching studio in Media, PA and Hockessin, DE. Mary Kay began her performing career as a classical flutist and continues to play classical music in the Mann-Klales flute/guitar duo, but she has become well-known for her Irish music, on tin whistle, flute, vocals, and Celtic harp. She is the singer, flutist, and whistler for the Celtic duo, HeartSounds, and does the same plus Celtic harp for the jazzy duo Urban Celtic. In addition, she does solo performances on Celtic harp and vocals.

Kristen is a working illustrator and art instructor. She received her B.F.A. at the University of Delaware, where she majored in Visual Communications / Concentration in Illustration. Since graduation in 2005, Kristen began receiving commissions from clients, and exhibiting her work regionally. She also began selling handmade merchandise showcasing her illustrations, and most recently through her online store, “Cherry’s Closet”. Kristen and her art has been featured through numerous periodicals and online art communities. In 2009, her first illustrated children’s book, Better Haunted Homes and Gardens, was released. Kristen has also been an instructor of art since 2004, to both children and adults at CCarts, through the Boys and Girls Clubs of Delaware, and was also an adjunct professor at Cecil College. Please visit www.kristenmargiotta.com for more info.

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My name is Lara Michelle Sodomin (Lara Michelle is my stage name). I am a recent graduate from the New York Conservatory for the Dramatic Arts (formally known as The School for Film and Television). I am a graduating senior at California University of PA Theatre major, Muscial Theatre minor. I've directed shows such as A Midsummer Night's Dream when I was only 17 and in college a One Act of a premier play called Spoused. I've been involved with theatre since the age of 9 when I took classes with Deb Dehart, Joseph Kinsolving, and Paul Goodman with Shoestring Productions. I currently am employed with the Entertainment department of Dutch Wonderland, and it's because of the kids that I never have a bad day at work. I am looking forward to teach all the skills I know, and to create interest in those who like theatre and want to pursue it.

Tony Mowen began teaching drums seven years ago at the Center for the Creative Arts - with the notion to try and become the instructor he never had. Tony began playing drums at the age of 10 with lessons from his Uncle Tom and was influenced by many musical artists, such as Bill Haley and the Comets, Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Kiss, and his favorite band of all time, The Beatles. In high school, he began performing in Battle of the Bands, jazz concerts, and talent shows. As fate would have it, Tony started getting "gigs" in college with musicians such as the Philadelphia Phillies stadium organist Paul Richardson as well as playing at VFW clubs, local restaurants, and eventually landing a stint at the Three Little Bakers Dinner Theater, performing on weekends with members of the Immediato family. Rock and roll gigs came quickly, with such local bands as The Bees, The Moondoggies, and wedding icon Anheuser. Tony began singing and fronting various projects and started an innovative project of his own, The Pet Detectives, a two-man acoustic duo with Tony playing hand percussion and singing lead and harmony vocals. The duo became an instant favorite, showcasing with WSTW and opening for national acts such as Lisa Loeb, Kool and the Gang, and Cheap Trick. During the past six years, Tony has opened for national acts including Jamie Walters (Beverly Hills 90210), 38 Special, Rick Springfield, Taylor Dane, 10,000 Maniacs and The Fixx while gaining notoriety with a number of local rock bands including Mango Soles and The Inflatable Dates. Tony has performed at the Bob Carpenter Center, the Grand Opera House, The Hotel duPont, Caesar's Casino in Atlantic City, The Bitter End in New York, Frawley Stadium, Citizen's Bank Park (Home of the Philadelphia Phillies) and can be found every Wednesday at 85 West in New York City. Recently, Tony was percussionist and backing vocalist in the backing band of Mark Farner, formerly of Grand Funk Railroad and Ringo Starr's All-Star Band. A die-hard Philles fan, Tony has won two tri-state Harry Kalas (Hall of Fame Broadcaster) sound-alike contests on both 610 WIP Sports Radio and 93.3 WMMR. He also does various voice-overs and narrations for radio and television commercials. Tony holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Wilmington College and was inducted into the Delta Epsilon Rho Honor Society. He placed third in the nation in extemporaneous speaking in the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America Skill Olympics. He was Program Coordinator for the Leukemia Society of America (Delaware Chapter) as well as Promotions Assistant for Delmarva Broadcasting (WSTW/WDEL radio), and worked part-time for the Philadephia Eagles. Tony is currently the Volunteer Coordinator and Drum Instructor at the Center, performs music engagements 5 to 7 nights per week, and is working on original material.

Jen is a native Delawarean who returned to Wilmington in 2006. She began her teaching career in 2000 at Red Lion Christian Academy in Bear, DE., where she taught Art and Drama grades 6-12. She then taught at Boston Trinity Academy for two years while living in Boston for graduate school. Since returning to Delaware, Jen has taught at The Delaware Center for Contemporary Arts, Chester County Art Association, Delaware College of Art and Design, and is now happily settled here at CCArts. Jen first studied Fashion Design at Drexel University then transferred to West Chester University to study Fine Art. She received her BFA in Painting and Drawing in 2001 with a minor in Art History. She then went on to Moore College of Art and Design to get her teaching certificate for the state of PA. After four years of teaching art full time, she decided to go back to school full time to get her masters degree. She went to Andover Newton Theological School where she received her M.A. in Theology and the Arts in 2006. She was all set to stay in Boston and start her doctoral program in Effective Ministries to Women when lo and behold she was set up on a blind date in May of 2006 here in Wilmington. She ended up meeting her now fiancé, Greg, who she will be marrying on May 16, 2008. They will live in Bear, DE. Jen loves teaching fine art, fashion design, women’s studies, and theology. She also loves dogs, all things pink, shopping, anything Celtic, and cheesy Broadway musicals.

Jenna Palecko Schuck was raised in Lenape, Pennsylvania and currently resides in Cochranville, PA with her husband and their son. Jenna began her path as an artist at the age of sixteen under the guiding hand of artist Karl Kuerner. She continued her study of Art and Photography at the Chester County Art Association through a program at Bishop Shanahan High School. Upon her graduation, she went on to attend Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. Jenna returned to her much loved home and family in Chester County to complete her Bachelors Degree in Studio Art from West Chester University focusing her course of study on her three loves, Printmaking, Painting and Photograph, Jenna currently teaches Photography at the Center for Creative Arts in Yorklyn, Delaware and holds a position as Art Director at Carousel Performing Arts Center and the Clay Cave in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Along with struggling to exhibit her work locally, her accomplishments include being a founding member of The Renaissance Academy, striving to nurture the future artists of our local community. Artists Statement: My subject matter comes from my everyday life; from my experiences as a wife, mother, and nurturer living in a rural area. My art is what I see, or endure daily. I may drive by a scene for months and then one day I will decide to stop, capture it on film, and suddenly it becomes a document of how the world looked at a given moment. More often than not, because of our constant changing world, those scenes that I captured will cease to exist due to the natural elements, or our society's ever-changing needs. I feel passionately about our earth, its landscapes, photographing nature and trees, the natural shape, the texture, and the shadows entice me. I capture it on film, because I know someday, the captivating natural sculpture will no longer be there on my daily drive. Historical architecture allures me as well, but only if it is falling down, decaying, beginning its transformation, returning to the earth where it once came from. If it is chapped, weathered, and beginning its alteration, taking with it the secrets and stories of times gone by, then I am truly touched and inspired by it.

I bring a unique background to jewelry design that combines business with artistry. As a very young woman I was drawn to the arts. I completed six years of study in theater, playwriting and screenwriting at LACC, New York University’s School of the Arts and UCLA. In addition, I spent over five years in the financial services industry. I started as a retail broker at Shearson American Express where I was the Performance Leader of my training class. Then I moved to Blunt, Ellis & Loewi where I specialized in institutional preferred stock with accounts that included Hunt Oil, Hubble Corp. and Travelers Insurance. Drawn back to the arts, I became a screenwriter. I was one of the winners of UCLA's prestigious Diane Thomas Screenwriting awards. I also won a Chesterfield Writing Fellowship which was sponsored by Universal Studios and Stephen Spielberg. I went on to write twelve screenplays and to produce seven feature films with stars such as Naomi Watts, Christopher Walken, Brenda Blethyn, James Caan, Alfred Molina, Dean Cain, Jennifer Tilly and Jon Lovitz. It was during this extremely busy time as a film producer that I turned to creating jewelry to "unwind" and found myself enjoying jewelry making so much that it became my full time career. As a jewelry designer I have studied under several talented jewelry artists, including Anne E. Mitchell, Sharon and Keith Seib from Planet Bead and Maggi DeBaecke. I love the process of designing and use only quality materials. In my designs, you will find pure metals, such as sterling (.925) and fine (.999) silver and 14K gold. For embellishment, I mainly use semi-precious gemstones, genuine Swarovski crystals, and custom-made lampwork or dichroic glass handpicked and purchased by me from glass artists. You can find my designs on my upcoming website at www.katerobbins.info and in juried Artisan and Craft Fairs.

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Roseann began studying classical piano at the age of five and continued private study for the next 14 years with the same instructor. During high school, she also studied arranging and conducting, and taught herself to play the clarinet in order to participate in the school orchestra, as well as travel and march with the school band. During college at Cheyney University, she focused on a course of study in business, secondary education teaching preparation and took advanced piano courses as electives. After college, she spent her career in business working in the Horticulture Industry for 5 years, in Advertising and Marketing for the DuPont Company for 8 years, 15 years as President of her own marketing company, for MBNA in Advertising for 4 years, and finally, working as the Director of Events at Winterthur Museum and Country Estate. She also studied piano at Wilmington Music School for a while during her business career. Roseann has now returned to music as a piano teacher of classical music for children and adults. She uses a teaching style that not only focuses on learning to read music and play the piano, but also serves to enhance self esteem, encourage reading, enhance motor skills, build an appreciation for and understanding of all genres of music, while enjoying the process. Students will meet with success even if they are not seeking to build a career exclusively in music as this discipline compliments and enhances other skill sets.

Vicki Smith has a B.S. in Dance from Radford University in VA. She danced with ballet companies and has participated in community theatre (dance and choreography) for many years. She has taught as an artist-in-residence in local schools, taught special needs students weekly in a ongoing yearly program, and has been teaching dance at CCA (both during the school year and at SAGO) for over 20 years. She is currently pursuing her certification in elem. education and continues to enjoy teaching dance as well.

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Cynthia Swanson, know as a floral painter, sometimes goes beyond the scope of flowers. Her use of brilliant and transparent color are strong elements in her paintings. Cynthia’s love of the outdoors is truly evident in her garden scenes. Cynthia eschibits in art shows and galleries thtoughout the country. Here watercolors are collected by individuals and ptivate organizations. Her paintings have received numerous awards including the most prestigious Art in Excellence Award. Cynthia is a BFA graduate of the University of the Arts in Pyiladelphia, majoring in painting. She has been teaching at the Center for the Creative Arts for many years.

Gary Vernon attended the Philadelphia College of Performing Arts, and has performed with Tony Bennett, Betty Buckley, Al Martino, the Lawrence Welk Show, Robin Eubanks, Eddie Holman, Dr. Donald Byrd, Petula Clark and many others.

Megan Walborn Flachier was born in Medford, New Jersey in 1973. She graduated with honors from the Rochester Institute of Technology in 1996 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in ceramics. In June 1996, she was granted a residency at the Appalachian Center for Crafts in Smithville, Tennessee. During this time, she continued to produce large-scale mixed media sculpture. After this eight-month residency, she moved to Philadelphia and set up her own studio. It was at this time that she developed a body of work that was exhibited in her first solo exhibition in Rochester, New York. Flachier went to Nashville, TN in 1998. During her four-year stint there, she was included in numerous exhibitions at commercial galleries. She was also chosen to be in two-person exhibitions at the Tennessee Arts Commission and at the Ballroom Studios in Atlanta, Georgia as well as others. She was granted a solo installation at the Cheekwood Museum of Art as part of their show “Latitudes: New Media Art of the Southeast,” which was reviewed in Art Papers. Flachier relocated to Baltimore to attend graduate school. In 2003, she had a solo installation at the School 33 Art Center that was reviewed in Baltimore’s City Paper. Flachier received her Master of Fine Art from the Rinehart School of Sculpture at Maryland Institute College of Art in 2004. She recently has moved to Wilmington, DE with her husband and has started a family.

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Hello! My name is Bea Webb. I teach violin, viola and cello ... Suzuki-style. Learning to play is first by rote or by listening and repeating. Quickly, the student begins to read notes. Nurturing is very important to Suzuki-style learning. As the student develops, he/she plays with others at workshops and recitals. Recent students deserve recognitions. A viola student received a scholarship for summer camp; a violin student played in the Delaware All-State Orchestra; an adult student played a violin for her school's musical and for her sister's wedding. Many students play in their school's ensembles and orchestras. I have 10 years experience playing in professional orchestras and 15 years experience performing with my string quartet. I perform at special occasions, such as weddings. I have many years teaching experience including the teaching of the stringed instruments in Red Clay and Christina public schools.

Bruce is an artist who also teaches. He has been teaching art in various capacities since 1973. He has also worked in area schools and art centers teaching youth and adult classes. Bruce began teaching at CCArts in 1996 and has been a SAGO Instructor since 1997. His specialties are drawing, painting, sculpture and collage and he is recognized as the originator of “Continuum Columns”. A style he created in 1971. He shows his work regionally. Bruce has a BA and MFA from the University of Delaware. In 1999, he was awarded a Delaware Artist Fellowship by the Delaware Division of the Arts and previously was chosen as w Wilmington Summer artist in Residence.

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In 2004, Becky joined CCArts to become Assistant Camp Director for the SAGO summer camp. At the end of the summer, she was asked to fill the empty Registrar position and she has been with the organization ever since. Becky comes from a huge family and her love for children runs deep. She has always considered herself "creative", but not an artist; she appreciates and truly sees the beauty in art. Through her experience at CCArts, she feels strongly that art can change life for the better. It can help someone appreciate the true beauty in something that they used to view as simply an object. Art also helps to encourage creative thinking in children and enables them to do better in school.

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Sharon has a long history of advocating for quality arts experiences. As an art educator from the University of Cincinnati, her experience in program development covers a broad range of organizations over the past 25+ years. In working with schools and other non-profit organizations, she has supported a variety of missions for both visual and performing arts, from art education and enrichment to historic preservation, and served a wide range of ages, from youth to adult. In addition to her current position as Program Director at the Center for the Creative Arts, her experience includes work in the Chicago area as Assistant Tour Center Director and Education Chairperson for the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio and Head Chaperone for the Glen Ellyn Children's' Chorus, and locally, Concert Manager for the Kennett Symphony Children's Chorus. She is also the Ticket Manager for highly successful musical theater productions at Unionville High School. Nurturing the creative spirit is a lifelong passion that has led her to CCArts.

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In 1981, Susan earned a B.S. in Visual Communication from the University of Delaware, and worked in the field of advertising for the next ten years. She then became a full time artist until 2002, when she took a job as Administrative Director at the Newark Arts Alliance in Newark, DE. In 2007, she joined CCArts as Director of Membership and Special Events, and subsequently added Grants Administrator to her duties. While her recent career focus has been administrative, promoting community arts initiatives, she has continued to work as an artist in mural painting and mosaic and has completed commissions in private homes and public settings. Susan believes strongly in the arts, and feels that creativity is essential to individual well being and fundamental to our culture as a whole.

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Carla Pastore has been the Executive Director of the Center for the Creative Arts for 3 years. Prior to this she worked in the field of public horticulture for over 25 years with a Bachelor’s Degree in Plant & Soil Science from the University of Vermont and a Master’s Degree in Public Horticulture Administration from the Longwood Graduate Program. Carla has served as the Executive Director of the American Association of Botanical Gardens and Arboreta (AABGA) and as the Supervisory Horticulturist for the U.S. Botanic Garden in Washington, DC. In addition she has extensive experience designing flower shows and themed exhibits. Currently she is attending West Chester University to work towards a degree in fine arts. (Carla:)Today, more than ever, the arts play a vital role in our society. They form the basis of our culture through our paintings, drawings, music and literature. Organizations like the Center for the Creative Arts are important because we help people find and express their creative selves. Many schools have phased out their art programs due to decreased funding, so CCArts plays a vital role in helping young people experience the arts within their community. Now more than ever, people need a way to express themselves and be immersed in the arts.

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Ralph Kuebler has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Center for Creative Arts since 1997.

Ralph is an Executive Vice President of MBNA America Bank, N.A., with more than thirty years of experience in the banking industry. During that time he has held various management positions in product development, strategic and long range planning, branch administration, branch automation, electronic banking, commercial and consumer lending, marketing, and customer service.

In addition to the Center for Creative Arts, Ralph has served on the boards of Public Allies of Delaware, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and The Conference Board Business and Education Council. He has also served on advisory panels for the University of Delaware Academy for Nonprofit Leadership, Delaware Foundation for Science and Mathematics Education, and the Business/Education Partnership for the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce. He is past chairman of the Superstars in Education Selection Committee, has served for four years as a judge for the State of Delaware Higher Education Commission - Merit Scholarship Program, and has been a grant review panelist of the Delaware State Arts Council's Art in Education Panel. He has participated in numerous public policy forums on education sponsored by the Office of the Governor, the Delaware State Board of Education, Congressman Michael Castle, the University of Delaware, and the Educational Testing Service.

Ralph received both his Bachelor of Arts and MBA degrees from the University of Maryland. He served overseas in the United States Air Force in intelligence in Okinawa and Turkey before beginning his banking career.

Ralph, his wife Marilynn, and their two daughters Karen and Susan moved to Hockessin, Delaware from Silver Spring, Maryland in 1993.

In his spare time, Ralph enjoys reading, traveling, skiing and gardening.

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Nancy is President of Sakaduski Marketing Solutions, Inc., a consulting firm that works with companies in the dental industry. The company also performs pro bono and reduced fee work for charitable organizations, such as Oral Health America and the Organization for Safety & Asepsis Procedures (OSAP). She currently serves on the Industry Advisory Council for the Center for Research and Education in Technology Evaluation (CRETE).

Nancy served on the Board of Directors of the Northport Historical Society (New York) for six years, and was Vice President of that organization for two years. There she assisted with events, fundraising, publicity, organizational planning, and membership development. She also assisted the Northport Arts Coalition and helped out at the Ecumenical Food Pantry. Formerly a professional writer, she is the author of more than 100 articles and 15 books (under the name "Nancy Day"). Nancy has a B.A. in Communications from the University of Maryland and an Executive M.B.A. from Loyola College.

In addition to serving on the CCArts Board, Nancy performs volunteer work for the Pennsbury Land Trust (Pennsylvania). She enjoys nature, gardening, cooking, reading, geocaching … and collecting art."

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Lisa Lutwyche has been teaching at CCArts since 1992. Lisa’s diverse background includes a BFA in studio art, a BA in Art History and post-graduate studies in architecture and design. She has been a professional designer since 1980, a published poet since 1973, an exhibiting watercolorist since 1975 and she sings and performs in community theater in Philadelphia. She also teaches “independent arts” for people with special needs in Maryland, which is rewarding and life-affirming. Lisa’s watercolors and poetry have won, and been nominated for, awards in many parts of the US and she has been published overseas as well. She is currently seeking an agent for her novels. One of the most exciting things to Lisa is the success of her students. Some have gone on to publication of poetry or fiction and sales of their watercolors.

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