Teacher Spotlight!

Early Spring, Late Spring and Summer

Classes / Camps / Workshops 2010

Nanci Bross-Fregonara is currently a graphic designer and public information specialist with Davis Health System and previously served as Communications Manager at the Arts Center. She also worked with the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources as designer, writer, and assistant editor of West Virginia Wildlife magazine. In that capacity she created many of the Kids Exploration pages and has lead activities in the public schools related to natural science. She is avid promoter of the "Leave No Child Inside" philosophy-- making sure our children learn more about the world around them.

Kadra Casseday, a graduate of West Virginia Wesleyan College, has been teaching art classes for over three years and holds a BA in Studio Art. She is owner of The Blue Door Studio in Elkins. Kadra specializes in monotype printmaking and currently has work on display at Artists at Work in downtown Elkins.

Michael Doig is an area painter and art instructor at Davis and Elkins College. He received his MFA in 2002 from the University of Buffalo SUNY. His work encompasses a broad range of techniques and mediums, such as oil painting, encaustic, and stencil. His fascination with mountain cultures prompted his latest works, The Appalachia Series, which explore the rich cultural history of the people and places of the Appalachian region. Through the use of color, brushwork, and deep, painterly glazes, these large scale oil paintings investigate the links between geology, geography, history, and memory, and invoke a meditation on what it means to be a citizen of Appalachia.

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."

Fregonara Jim has been juggling for more than 20 years, having started with the Frederick Jugglers club in Frederick. MD and continuing as a “freelance” juggler with performances at, Elkhenge, Augusta, Forest Festival and other local venues. By day, Jim is a wildlife biologist with the WV DNR.

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. Now an Elementary Education major at Davis and Elkins College, he continues to foster his love of foods through his catering business and Fabulous Fruits business. Helzer lives in Elkins with his wife Holly and their three children.

Virginia Hicks is a full-time professional art teacher with Upshur County Schools. Prior to this Hicks was an instructor with the Arts Bank program for seven years and has taught at most Randolph County elementary schools. She also taught art at WVWC for six years and has been an instructor of children's workshops, teacher workshops and summer camps at RCCAC for the past several years. She originates from Manchester, England where she earned a Bachelors degree in Textile Design and a Masters degree in Education.

Becky Hill has been dancing for 13 years and has taught and attended Augusta Heritage Center since she was 12. She had the opportunity to work with Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble and Rhythm in Shoes Dance Company. This last summer she worked at as an intern at Augusta Heritage and is excited about spreading the traditional arts in Elkins!

Guitarist Billy Kaiser attended the Musicians Institute (MI) in Hollywood, CA. He has been teaching guitar privately and playing in the region for three year. Kaiser is a member of the Elkins based Appalachian Jazz Project.

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.

Brad Martin has taught Spanish for 30 years at Elkins High School and also German for the past 16 years after having lived and studied in Venezuela, Mexico, and Spain as a student. His teaching experience ranges from pre-school to college and also includes being a counselor at high school Spanish camps. He has led 24 tours and exchanges to various countries over the years. He prefers a high-energy, active immersion style of teaching. He prefers a high-energy, active immersion style of teaching.

Carla (CJ) McGannon is an award winning artist, illustrator and print maker from New Mexico. She has worked and studied in Mexico, Ireland and India as well as the USA. According to CJ. "I believe that inside everyone there is an artist, musician or poet waiting to be invited forward. I love to see students of any age or experience welcome their inner muse with joy. My classes are geared to be fun and challenging, with judgments left at the door." CJ enjoys mixing mediums such as poetry and painting, and working collaboratively on shared ideas within the class...yielding remarkable results and sometimes long term friendships! Whether a beginner or a pro, an artist or a writer, CJ invites you to "Come out and play!"