MELISSA ALDAN is a New Castle native who has two degrees from Slippery Rock University in art and education. She currently teaches art at Greenville High School in Greenville, Pennsylvania. While her main skill lies in drawing, she is artistically multi-faceted. Melissa has dabbled in every art she could find, from taking the fabulous blacksmithing course at Heritage School to studying animation at Edinboro University. In the past, Melissa served as a Curator of Exhibitions at the Hoyt Institute and has been an animator at Kensington Falls Studio.
BEN BINUS is a 2007 graduate from New Mexico State University where he earned his Masters Degree and studied environmental and political communication, environmental ethics and applied sciences. Ben has a passion for Green Building, organic farming and ecological sustainability. Ben is a local resident and has a keen interest in building a like-minded community of learners on environmental stewardship.
ZARAH BLAIR has been drawing since childhood. Her first life took her from nurse’s aid to nursing/administration for over thirty years. In her second life, Zarah wrote and illustrated FINE LINES – A Story of Art and Aging. Dr. Bernie Segal, author of Peace, Love and Healing said: “Reading FINE LINES is like reading a poem about life written by a courageous poet.” Zarah illustrates books for a local publishing company. Zarah uses her art to teach and touch the human spirit in remarkable ways. “The primary goal of my teaching is to help individuals tap into their own unique creative abilities . . . explore personal history, develop skills and share with kindred spirits.”
SUSAN CATANZARITO is a long time Butler home economics instructor and passionate quilter. While researching the history and legends of the quilt codes on the Underground Railroad, Susan used reproduction fabric to construct two authentic period pieces. These quilts and her spellbinding presentation transport audiences on a journey from slavery to freedom. In addition to lecturing around New England and the local area, Susan teaches classes in her home and for local quilt stores. Susan’s prize-winning quilts demonstrate her dedication to keeping a long time art form flourishing.
ANGELINA D’AMBROSIO is a Butler County Community College Graphic Design Graduate with specialized skills in hand rendering in mixed media. Angie’s interest in drawing and design began when she was a child. Her grandfather was a gifted wildlife artist who illustrated for numerous books and magazines. She has been recognized for her work in area newspapers. Angie creates custom works of art for businesses and personal clients and has been recognized for her community service efforts, most notably with Make A Wish Foundation and The Animal Rescue League.
MARY DUGAN became interested in the Mountain Dulcimer about 10 years ago while vacationing in Gettysburg, PA with family on her 4th of July birthday. Since then, she taught herself how to play the old style way of using a noter. Her passion is music written before 1900, particularly the Civil War Era. Mary has won several first place awards in the traditional category and has been invited to perform at various events including History Meets the Arts in Gettysburg. Always one to have an extra dulcimer along with her, she has shown hundreds of adults and children how to strum out a tune.
ALEX GLADIS is the Director of the Cranberry Center for Butler County Community College. He also teaches Anthropology, Sociology and Native American Culture and is a guest speaker throughout the region on topics such as Paleontology, Life on the Native American Reservations and the Ancient Mayan Empire. Alex conducts Fossil Programs and digs for adults, scouting groups and elementary students. He has traveled extensively throughout Mexico and the Navaho/Hopi Indian Reservations and is the Co-chair for the Annual Native American Gathering in Monaca, Pennsylvania.
GERRY HALL has been a gardener much of her life, first helping her dad in the family vegetable patch and eventually growing her own herbs and flowers. She realized her passion was herbs. Gerry created herbal demonstration gardens at her home, has held memberships in many herbalist organizations and is a Certified Master Gardener. Gerry owned and operated an herbal tea company for ten years and has appeared as the “Victorian Tea Lady” at various locations in Western Pennsylvania. Gerry’s mission is to spread the good and healthy word of herbs to all who have an interest.
JOSH HASSAN has been playing the Great Highland Bagpipes for about seven years and is about to begin violin and fiddle lessons. Josh toured in Scotland for two weeks in 2005 and competes on Highland Games throughout the eastern United States. Josh is pursuing a music education degree and plays in a band.
LAURA KACY is living her dream after recognizing her passions in service, hospitality and experiential education. In 2005, Laura opened her own business, “ Home is where the Tea is”, a complete private tea service that serves in your home or private facility. Laura feels privileged to be mentored by J. Muth, the manager of The Café at the Frick at the Henry Frick Estate and to have received consultation from Ellen Easton, well-known tea author of New York City. Laura teaches Tea classes and participated in New York City’s first Everything for Coffee & Tea Festival in 2006.
JACKIE KLINE graduated from Slippery Rock University with a B.S. in Environmental Education and as a member of the Rho Phi Lambda Fraternity/ Parks and Recreation. Jackie’s environmental efforts include work with Moraine Preservation Fund and McConnell’s Mill State Park, where she worked as the Environmental Interpretive Technician. Jackie has worked on the planning committee for the 2005/2006 and 2007/ 2008 Pennsylvania Alliance for Environmental Educator Conferences.
JOANIE LAPIC learned the love of gardening and respect for the earth early on from her father and mother. Joanie’s herb gardening evolved during the “back to earth” movement of the 70’s. Since then, she has been using, growing and teaching about all aspects of herb use, especially medicinal. Joanie opened her business, Everlasting Gardener, in 1991. She speaks, consults and teaches for the Pennsylvania Continuing Professional Education program. Joanie is pursuing a degree in Master Herbalist and is certified and proficient in the Natural Healing methods: Herb and Nutrition Therapy, Reflexology, Iridology and Aromatherapy.
MARIA LEYSENS lives in Mars, Pa with her husband and two boys. Maria Kovalenko Leysens grew up drawing, painting, sewing and always keeping busy. Her Russian and Ukrainian heritage has been an inspiration and she has been involved in Ukrainian dance, cooking, embroidery, egg decorating and Iconography. Maria is a current member of the Pittsburgh Watercolor Society and Pittsburgh Pastel Artist League. She teaches many art classes and workshops for children, adults and seniors and enjoys sharing her passion and expertise.
TOM MCCARTY received his education from the Gilman School and Touchstone Center for Crafts. He is accomplished in wood sculpture, printmaking and bird carving. Tom has exhibited at the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art, Mountain Top Gallery, Bedford Fall Foliage Festival, Log House Festival, Sawmill Center for the Arts and the Touchstone Center. He is also the recipient of the Distinguished Honor Award at the Cambria Designer Craftsmen Guild Exhibit.
KAREN NEWPOL is a professional graphic artist, picture framer and photographer. Her picture framing work is gracing the walls of many homes, commercial establishments, corporate headquarters and universities. Karen is also an established portrait and landscape photographer. She is known to her family and friends as somewhat of a “hippy”. She “digs” photography, drawing, painting, writing, crafts and the computer and really enjoys working with people of all ages and abilities.
MARGIE RHOADES began baking from scratch when she was seven years old. She learned from her parents and grandparents to live off the land. She learned to raise her own animals and grow her own fruit and vegetables. From the time Margie was nine years old, she would prepare meals for the family using the meats, fruits and vegetables from their farm. For more than five decades Margie has embraced and carried on this heritage. Today, she and her husband have a greenhouse and grow many of their own organic fruits and vegetables. They buy their meats from local farmers they know and trust. Margie earned an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh in 1985 and became a CPA in 1988. She currently owns her own business.
DR. CARL ROBERTSON provides instruction in traditional trades with special interests in woodwright and woodworking applications. His 18th century woodworking can be seen at Providence Plantation in Evans City, PA, www.providenceplantation.org , a center for historical education and living history. Dr. Robertson earned a Ph.D. from Dallas Theological Seminary and has been in private practice as a marriage and family counselor for 30 years in the greater Pittsburgh area. Future course offerings include Panel-Frame Construction, Log Cabin Construction and Timber-Frame Construction.
LEAH SKYBIRD is a Seneca/Lakota Native American artist and author. Leah preserves cultural/traditional heritage by reviving historic art forms or blending to create contemporary styles through creative expressions. Leah reaffirms the richness of the tribal heritage while making significant contributions to contemporary culture in the USA.
HELEN STAIGER has been a family history researcher for about 30 years. She is the owner and webmaster of www.GenieSpeak.com, Genealogy Seminar and Family Research Resource Listings, a genealogy website that promotes genealogy speakers, researchers, events, vendors, societies, family pages and more. Helen is a local genealogy speaker and a member of various genealogical organizations, including serving on the Board of the Slippery Rock Heritage Association where she has been the Chair of the Annual SRHA Genealogy Seminar for eighteen years. She was an Associate Editor for the WPGS (Western PA Genealogical Society) JOTS quarterly newsletter.
RYAN STAUFFER began blacksmithing when he was eleven years old. His grandfather took him to local hammer-ins. Since then he has specialized in the reproduction of Norse artifacts and the restoration of original pieces for private collectors. He enjoys plying his trade as a smith and providing demonstrations. His favorite projects include multiple core layered steel blades and experimenting with different Damascus patterns. Ryan has worked as an apprentice with Michael Cardiff, also known as The Magick Badger. Ryan views the work of the smith and of the artist as entwined. Ryan is also an accomplished Piper and a passionate Beer Brewer. Ryan is sharing his passions by offering courses in Blacksmithing, Knife Making, Beer Brewing and Making Bagpipes.
DR. KINOREA “TWO FEATHER” TIGRI is a living historian and folk artist dedicated to teaching and preserving her native culture, history and arts and Pennsylvania’s Native American heritage. Her formal education includes a Ph.D. in Child and Adult Psychology. Dr. Tigri consults and teaches Native American history throughout Pennsylvania and nationally and consulted with the Cultural Office of the Smithsonian.
SANDY TRIMBLE is a member of the Indiana Arts Council Board of Directors and the Indiana Art Association. She is a weaving instructor and works full time weaving and felting. Her works have been exhibited at many events and she has won numerous awards. Her work can always be seen at her gallery, which is next door to her studio in the Indiana Theater Building. As an artist, her work centers around figure sculpture and woven garments in all natural fibers.
