RCCAC Teachers

Below is our list of teachers for our Winter and Early Spring Classes and Workshops

Akiko Endo, a native to Tokyo, Japan, currently lives in Elkins, WV. She has practiced Origami, folding paper art, for many years, and has taught private lessons on Origami. She is also an aspiring oil painter.

Sarah Ferguson was born and raised in West Virginia. She currently lives in Philippi, with her husband and son. Ferguson has an art education degree from West Liberty State College and has taken several graduate art courses from WVU. She has taught in the Barbour County School system, given private art lessons and also taught several years at the Barbour County Youth Arts Camp. According to Ferguson: "Growing up family traveled extensively, which I think has inspired most of my artwork. I look around me every day for inspiration, no matter where I am. I also take lots of photographs, so that I always have artistic ideas close at hand. I love to do anything and everything creative. Most of my artwork is either in watercolors or pastels, but that is only the beginning."

Leslie Gordon has been making, teaching, and selling basketry for over 20 years. She does a variety of Fiber Arts including Weaving, Felting, and Dying. She has an M.S. in Forestry from SUNY ESF, and her favorite baskets are made from trees. She is a member of the Mountain Weaver's Guild and Artists at Work. She currently teaches with ArtsBank in Randolph County and at the Arts Center.

Derrick Helzer's life long love and passion for foods comes from his Mom. He refined his technical and classical skills while working at the Greenbrier as a chef. A Davis and Elkins College graduate, Helzer is working as a Service Coordinator with Appalachian Community Health Center while he continues to foster his love of foods through his catering business and Fabulous Fruits, Cakes and Catering.

Brett Kern was born and raised in Pennsylvania. After receiving his B.F.A. in ceramics from California University of PA, Brett moved on to graduate school at WVU. During this time he spent a semester studying ceramics abroad in Jingdezhen, China. Upon completion of his M.F.A. in 2010, Brett was awarded a prestigious artist’s residency at the Red Lodge Clay Center in Red Lodge, Montana. After living and making art in Montana for the past year, Brett has now moved back east to teach ceramics at Davis and Elkins College.

Beth King holds degrees in Journalism, Photography and Art Education from the University of Georgia; is an adjunct lecturer in art education at D&E College as well as the Executive Director of RCCAC. She has 18 years of teaching experience in elementary and secondary schools.

Susan Pell has been creating pottery for over 20 years. She spent seven years as an elementary and secondary teacher. Susan has been a pottery teacher at RCCAC since 2004.

Kylie Proudfoot-Payne lives in Barbour County and graduated from Davis & Elkins College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology / Human Services and Art Education. She currently teaches with ArtsBank in Randolph County and at the Arts Center. Kylie is a landscape painter & dabbles in a variety of different art mediums.

Maggi Rhudy has degrees in Art and German literature as well as teacher certification. Freelance artist Rhudy is also an experienced teacher, having taught art and German to students ages 5 to 75. She retired from teaching at Elkins High School and now enjoys pursuing the many artistic techniques she has taught.

With almost thirty years of experience, Morgantown WV native Wayne Rowand has spent the greater part of his life in the pursuit of music. Known primarily as a classical guitarist, Rowand has also received training in jazz and improvised music with his principle teachers include eight-string guitar pioneer David Harris and Scott Elliott. He has extensive performing credits on a regional and national level, both as a soloist and an ensemble player. Currently Wayne spends his time teaching, performing and spoiling his two young children.

Diana Vera has performed as Rainbow the Clown for the past 25 years at various street fairs, festivals, grand openings and birthday parties. For the past 16 years Diana served as the Assistant Creative Director of The Old Brick Playhouse and was member of its touring company. Diana continues to promote Arts in Education through theater and movement workshops. Actress, choreographer, costumer, and musician, Diana loves to make people laugh and cry.

Kenneth D. Waddell is now retired from the field of education. A member of the Seneca Trails Artists’ Guild and a juried member of the West Virginia Watercolor Society, he has received numerous awards for his oils and watercolors. His paintings can be viewed at Mountain Treasures in Philippi.

Richard Ware has been working in leather for thirty years. He operated Bear's Leather Den in Belington for ten years and presently owns Bear's Leather Shop in Philippi. According to Ware, "I have made or repaired almost everything made of leather!” He creates a wide range of custom designed leather items.

Seth Young is a professional musician and music educator with a passion for authentic learning through performance. He currently teaches music at Jennings Randolph Elementary School and the West Virginia Governor’s School for the Arts. You can see him perform in several ensembles, most notably with Blackwater Mojo, Young Funk Sung and The Appalachian Jazz Project.