Instructors

JASON AXTELL

Mr. Axtell is an educator and graphic artist whose work often combines elements from multiple fields of study, including sequential art, graphic design, and the fine arts. He has been published multiple times and currently teaches at the Art Institute of Washington as a professor of foundations and animation.

SHARON BOYLE

Ms. Boyle has been an artist her entire life. She paints and sculpts images of children and the sea. She works in acrylic, watercolor, and pastel and sculpts using sandstone or clay. She has been nominated as the Disney Outstanding Teacher and has had articles published regularly in School Arts national art magazine.

SALLY COLER

Ms. Coler is the owner of Mosaic Madness, a local company that produces tiles and basins that are distributed throughout the United States. She is an art instructor in an education program specializing in art classes and camps for young people. She has also volunteered with the Northern Virginia Ombudsman Program since 2008.

ANNE COX

Ms. Cox studied Japanese arts and crafts, including washi paper dolls, origami, and more for 13 years, and has been teaching water color, drawing, and other arts classes at senior centers since 2006. She has taught at numerous facilities in a variety of crafts. She has been published multiple times, including in Soft Dolls and Animals Magazine for her Elizabethan Renaissance Cinderella doll, which will be taught in one of the Senior Arts Institute classes.

DR. JEANNE CREEKMORE

Dr. Creekmore is a licensed psychologist in D.C. and Virginia and is a board-certified and registered art therapist. She is a member of multiple art therapy associations and has had multiple group art exhibitions.

CONSTANCE DINAPOLI

Ms. Dinapoli is a professional dancer with the Paul Taylor Dance Company and has 22 years of professional teaching experience including university level and master classes in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Her expertise is in multidisciplinary modern dance and ballet, with experience in staging, directing, rehearsing, and choreographing performances for professional companies and student ensembles. She is also an assistant professor in the College of Visual and Performing Arts at George Mason University.

BILL FIRESTONE

Mr. Firestone’s illustration and fine art work have been recognized by numerous judges over the last few decades, and his paintings hang in many public and private collections. He is represented by galleries in DC, Virginia and North Carolina. Illustration clients include publications such as Chesapeake Bay Magazine and Washington Post Magazine, as well as graphic design firms and advertising agencies.

DR. LAURA MANN

Dr. Mann has performed over 40 opera and operetta roles in multiple stage productions in the USA and Europe. She has been featured in international festivals and as a soloist with many prestigious orchestras. She has appeared as a soloist at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall, numerous Embassies, the National Cathedral, and Sumner Museum. She has also served as professor of voice at many local universities and colleges.

SUSHMITA MAZUMDAR

Ms. Mazumdar is a writer, artist, and educator who encourages combining book arts with telling real-life stories. She teaches senior adults to make their own books so they can make a home for their stories, have fun, and create art to share with others. She is a member of the Art League in Alexandria, VA and is an instructor at IONA Creative Services.

EMILY J. PEZZULICH
Ms. Pezzulich is a professional glass artist, living and working in Northern Virginia. She has extensive experience in fusing glass as well as training students to work with glass competently and safely. Her glasswork can be seen in shows, exhibitions, and galleries in the Greater Washington D.C. area.

BECKY PATTON

Ms. Patton is a theatre utility player, taking on whatever task is needed. She has worked in theatres throughout northern Virginia in a variety of different jobs. She has a career in environmental protection, but finds an outlet through theatre; over the years, she has participated in over 20 productions.

TIMOTHY MCKEE

Mr. McKee is a professional singer and actor. He has appeared on stage, as well as in television, film, commercials, voiceovers, and training videos. He is the owner and director of “Let’s Take A Bow” and is a soloist for corporate functions and weddings. He is also the owner of a singing telegram service called “The Wandering Minstrel.” He studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, England.

SCOTT SEDAR

Mr. Sedar has experience in educational training and communication for corporations, government agencies, and a variety of other organizations. He has been a theatre educator for artists all over the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. He is also a professional singer/actor with regional and national credits.

LILI ROBINS

Ms. Robins is an accomplished graphic designer/illustrator who works with commercial clients to produce a wide variety of materials from concept to the final product. She has illustrated two children’s books and is currently working on a third. She also teaches Yoga in the Stafford, VA area. She is the co-founder of Project Yoga Fredericksburg, which offers free yoga classes to the community while raising money for local charities.

JOCELYN RAPPAPORT
Ms. Rappaport is a teacher of performing and creative arts and has recent experience in promoting awareness of and coordinating long-term care opportunities persons with disabilities. She is currently a public relations advisor at the Fairfax County Long Term Care Coordinating Council in Fairfax, VA.

LUBA STERLIKOVA

Ms. Sterlikova is an instructor of oil pastel and a lecturer on the history of poster art. She has exhibited nationally and internationally. She is a founding member of the Inspired by Russia International Art Project and has art in collections in China, France, Germany, Russia, the UK, and USA.

CAROL SONTHEIMER

RIMA SCHULKIND

Ms. Schulkind is a professional artist who has had multiple solo shows throughout the country, including places such as New York and Los Angeles. She is the creator and editor of the Washington Sculptors Group Newsletter and is the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions for her work.

MARY ELIZABETH SWICORD

Ms. Swicord is the owner of an art business, First Marks Studio, which specializes in private and small group classes. She is a practicing artist and enjoys working with people who want to develop their skills and create art. She is a member of both the Virginia and National Art Education Association, as well as a member of the Northern Virginia Art League.

DIANE SZCZEPANIAK

Ms. Szczepaniak has had numerous solo and group exhibitions throughout the country. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the Washington Sculptor’s Group and has won several awards, including Individual Artist Award in Visual Arts in Sculpture.

JUDY WENGROVITZ

Ms. Wengrovitz has won numerous awards and her paintings have been accepted into regional and national juried shows. She specializes in realistic watercolor painting, although she enjoys working in all other media and styles. She has taught art classes to students of all ages and has been a guest lecturer at various schools and universities.

EVE YOUNG

Ms. Young is a seasoned veteran of Capitol Hill who is also an experienced actress. She has performed in a variety of venues which include costume characters, role playing for the federal government, television commercials, community theatre, training films, and television programs.

SETH YAVIT

Mr. Yavit has studied improvisational comedy and has graduated from programs in Chicago and New York City. He specializes in therapy, being a member of three such associations. His focus of education was in Creative Art Therapy and Counseling.

ANN MARIE WILLIAMS

Ms. Williams is an award-winning fine artist and illustrator. She has worked as a graphic designer, publications manager, and art director. She also has received numerous design awards and judged several national design competitions. She has illustrated four children’s books that have been published.