MEET THE ARTISTS

Alex Axitois

Alex Axitois will astound you with his genius and master of a variety of harmonicas ranging from "one inch" to the world's largest - "two foot" chord harmonica! Alex has appeared professionally on the Ed Sullivan show and Perry Como Show. He was also formerly with the world-famous "Johnny Puleo's Harmonica Rascal's". He takes joy in sharing his talents with anyone interested in music.

Solly Blank

Solly Blank is a native of Heidelberg, Germany, where she began her study of art. She has lived in Lynchburg since 1977. She has always liked to draw and paint. In 1980 she decided to become more serious about her art and began taking drawing and pastel lessons from Howard Coleman. Her love for watercolor began shortly after. She then began taking classes from Dick Frisbee. Taking workshops with Ralph smith, Ernest Johnson, Frank Webb, Don Andrews, Serge Hollerback, and Tony couch strengthened her skills further. A few years ago, she became interested in painting in oil. She started classes with Bertha Crockett. For several years now she has been studying, and taking workshops with Rosalie Day White. She likes to tackle any subject matter, which includes landscapes, florals, animals, architecture, interiors, figures and portraits. More importantly, she likes to create compositions, which include people. She is fascinated with light and shadows and how they affect the painting. Watercolor painting appeals to her because of its delicate and transparent qualities as well as the constant challenge to "control" this medium. Oils are exciting to her for the ability to shape and build-up the composition. Solly has won numerous awards and her work is hanging in many private collections in the United States, Germany, France, and Austria. Two of her paintings are in the permanent collection at Lynchburg College. For two years now she is also teaching watercolor classes at the Academy of Fine Arts and the Lynchburg Art Club.

Karen Michalson Bowden

Karen Bowden earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Art Education at Ohio Wesleyan University and continued with post-baccalaureate work at the Tyler School of Art, Temple University, the University of California at San Francisco, and Randolph-Macon Woman's College. In more than forty years as a professional artist, she has studied with such recognized artists as Carole Barnes, Christopher Schink, Alex Powers, Gerald Brommer, David Lussier, Don Andrews and Glen Bradshaw. She has taught in the public schools, adult education programs and, since becoming a resident of Lynchburg, at the Lynchburg Art Club and the Academy of Fine Arts. Karen is an award-winning artist whose work has appeared in shows across the country. She continues to exhibit regionally and locally. Her work is regularly on view at the Jefferson Street Studio and in the Riverviews Artist Co-op, both located at Riverviews Artspace in Lynchburg. Throughout my painting career I have found teaching to be a wonderful and exhilarating forum for the exchange of ideas and techniques. When I can offer insights from my years of experience and when students are eager to share their discoveries with one another, creative energies soar! In class I encourage a playful sampling of a variety of mediums and approaches to open windows for freshness of expression while honing each student's individual skills and interests.

Bethany Emery

Whether it is in New York, Lynchburg, or Michigan Bethany Lynn Emery has earned over fifteen credits in stage management alone. She also has training and experience in acting, lighting design, sound design, choreography and more making her theatre knowledge base well rounded. Bethany has a BA in Theatre and Dance from Alma College, MI, interned with Primary Stages-Off-Broadway theatre house in New York and also has a Masters in Worship Arts. Currently, she teaches computer programs to faculty and staff as well as Old Testament classes to undergraduate students online.

Jill Jensen

Jill Jensen is a professional artist who works in a variety of media including art quilts, printmaking and painting. A native of Maryland currently residing in Central Virginia, Jensen's work has been included in national and regional juried exhibitions and she has had eighteen one-person shows in Virginia and Pennsylvania. In addition to exhibiting her artwork, Ms. Jensen has been an "artist-in-residence" in seventeen locations throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia and is the former exhibitions curator at the Academy of Fine Arts in Lynchburg, Virginia. Ms Jensen holds degrees from the College of William and Mary and Columbia University. Her work is included in numerous public and private collections in the United States, Ireland, and France. These collections include the Art Museum of Western Virginia, Roanoke, Virginia, Snydow Chapel at Lynchburg College, Augusta Medical Center, Fisherville, Virginia, Centra Health System, Lynchburg, VA, and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Health System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Lori Madden

For 10 years dance instructor, Lori Madden, has been providing instruction in Irish step dance, Irish social, ceili and set dance to children of all ages as well as to adults. In addition to her classes through the Academy, Lori also teaches Irish dance in Charlottesville, Richmond and at the Mountain Road Fiddle Camp in West Virginia. Lori has performed with the Humorous Abandon Irish dance ensemble at Floyd Fest and the Lake Eden Arts Festival and also in the full length Irish dance productions Drowsy Maggy and Robin Hood. In 2003, Lori served as Irish dance consultant for the Paul Wagner film Angels. Lori is Executive Director and dance coordinator for the Blue Ridge Irish Music School in Charlottesville.

Warren Page

Warren B. Page is a native Central Virginia acoustic music instructor, multi-instrumentalist musician, and singer. He is entering 35 years of music experience, and over 10 years instructional experience in Lynchburg, Amherst, Bedford and Campbell County areas. Warren has been an Academy of Fine Arts guitar and mandolin instructor since 2000. He approaches music education as a building process, often referring to music aids as tools. Incorporating theory with application and practical exercises, he strives to make the group and private class experience enjoyable as well as informative.

Cathy Ray

"Life Long Learner" best describes who I am. Majoring in Dance at East Carolina University has been a wonderful discipline for staying fit, active and creative. My background in dance has allowed me the opportunity to teach creative movement, jazz, ballet and modern dance. After college, thinking it would be a fun adventure, I decided to go to Cosmetology School. And years later, I still find hair designing fulfilling and enjoyable. Another interest of mine is massage therapy and currently I practice as a certified massage therapist. Besides interests in areas of health, beauty and well-being, positive, loving relationships with others continues to be part of my growth process. Another life adventure took me to Lynchburg College where I graduated with my degree in Counseling. Since my college years at ECU, I continue to keep physically fit through a variety of activities including swimming, Yoga, walking, biking, and weight lifting. In this year of 2009, I made a commitment to become a Yoga instructor a natural progression of my interests, beliefs, and passions. An eclectic individual, my intention is to integrate the best of all that I have learned and continue to learn. Integral Yoga and Anusara Yoga are two of my favorite disciplines of Yoga, and my teaching is a blend of these two paths of Yoga...a synergy of dynamic balanced action and deep relaxation.

Christine Rooney

Christine Rooney was born in Springfield, Ohio and grew up on a small farm. It was here that her love for broad bands of color, horizon lines, and quiet landscapes began. After graduating in fine arts from The Ohio State University in 1970, Ms. Rooney worked as a landscape artist for an architectural design firm in Palo Alto, California. While in California, she also studied art at San Jose State University and Foothill College. In 1974, she and her husband moved back to the East Coast. She resumed graduate studies at West Chester State University in Pennsylvania and later at Randolph-Macon WomanÕs College in Lynchburg, Virginia. It was during this time that she began working as a freelance artist. Ms. Rooney works in her studio near the Blue Ridge Mountains where she does both commissioned work and a variety of art in silverpoint, graphite, encaustics, pastels and experimental mediums. In the summer for 2003, she joined four artists in a working studio at the Riverview Artspace in downtown Lynchburg. She lives in Lynchburg with her husband, Michael. They have two children.

Shayna Schwartz

Shayna Schwartz is a native of Miami, FL where she began her training in the Talented Magnet Dance and Drama programs of the Dade County Public School System. She relocated to Lynchburg, VA to attend Virginia School of the Arts as she completed high school. Obtaining her BFA in Dance at Wright State University in Dayton, OH, Shayna has performed in several Musical Theatre productions for choreographer Suzanne Walker Associate Professor at WSU. Her favorite roles include June in Chicago, Hot Box dancer in Guys and Dolls, Connie in A Chorus Line, Charity in Anything Goes, Pasty in Crazy for You, and Ellie in Showboat. Shayna's professional credits also include The Sound of Music and Young Abe Lincoln at The Lincoln Amphitheatre in Evansville, IN, 20th Century Christmas at La Comedia Dinner Theatre in Dayton, OH, and the Lost Colony Outdoor Drama in Manteo, NC. She has also performed at the American College Dance Festival, Old Dominion University Choreographers Showcase, The University of Arizona's Jazz Dance Spring Gala, and Pensacola Junior College Jazz workshop, Washington DC's Joy of Motion's Choreography Showcase, and Kitty Clark's Art Farm Performance Cafˇ. A certified member of Florida Dance Masters Association and Shayna attended and completed The Dance Teacher Magazine's Dance Teacher Summer Conference in 2004, and representing Shenandoah University as Faculty at the 6th Regional High School Dance Festival. Shayna has also assisted Bill Brawley; director of the Young Americans Song and Dance Company Los Angeles, CA, in his dance and vocal workshops given in Orlando Fl. Shayna is currently the assistant artistic director of LeeAnne Ashley Studio of Dance and an Adjunct Professor at Lynchburg College.

Jeanell Smith

Jeanell Smith is a Certified Personal Chef with the USPCA (United States Personal Chef Association). She is the owner of Greens & Grains Personal Chef Service and has been in business in Lynchburg since 2000. In addition to owning her own business she works part-time in a local restaurant and spends as much time as possible volunteering at her daughter's elementary school. The three main facets of Greens & Grains are the in0home meal service, catering of all types and cooking classes. Classes are available for all ages and levels of experience. Jeanell graduated from the University of Alabama in Birmingham and worked as a microbiologist before discovering her passion for cooking. www.greensandgrains.com

Laura Staman

Laura Staman received her BFA in sculpture from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1992. She worked for Inner Quest Inc., an outdoor adventure company, from 1992-1994. Since 1994, Laura has worked at Sweet Briar College as the Director of Outdoor Programs and Student Leadership Training. She has displayed her art in recent years in the "Canvas and Paper Trail" show in Fleetwood Virginia, at a Women's Art Gathering in Sperryville, Virginia, at several shows at Sweet Briar College, and a show at Virginia State University. Laura specializes in creating art with natural and recycled materials as well as fiber arts and oil pastel.

Jeff Valerioti

Jeff served as the Strings Director at Bridgeway Christian Academy and currently is a violin instructor with Liberty Christian Academy in Lynchburg and a violinist with the Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra and the TRBC Praise Orchestra. He has served as president of the Atlanta Virtuosi, violin instructor at Johnson Ferry Conservatory, and has studied with Emery Erdlee of Julliard School of Music and Carol Ramirez with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Jeff is a member of the American String Teachers Association and the Music Teachers National Association. He has played with various orchestras in metro Atlanta over the past 15 years, including the Atlanta Passion Play Orchestra, Sandy Springs Chamber Orchestra, Orchestra Atlanta, Dekalb Symphony, Carroll Symphony and the Gainesville Symphony Orchestra. He presently is a 1st violinist with the Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra. Jeff is founder/violinist of ThreeForHim String Trio.

Dolly Spice-Van Sumeren

Dolly Spice-Van Sumeren was born and raised in Jackson, MI. She received her Bachelors degree in Music (Vocal Performance and Piano Studies) and Theater Performance in 2007 at the age of 20 from Spring Arbor University. She also holds a certificate in stage management. Dolly enjoys teaching voice and piano, and has a passion for musical theater. In college she was a featured soloist and swing dancer in Broadway Revue, a jazz/show ensemble and was also the vocal soloist for her university's jazz band. Dolly has also enjoyed being a member of the improve troupe Spoonerism and has had the privilege of performing lead roles, such as Maria in West Side Story, Maria in The Sound of Music and various semi-lead roles as well. She has also co-directed, both artistically and musically, and stage managed several musicals including Oklahoma! and It All Happened in the Country. She also composed and directed a short operetta which was performed in a 500 seat auditorium in 2007. Dolly enjoys teaching others what she is so passionate about, and is excited to show the next generation, whether seeking music and theater as profession or not, that it can be fun, and something you can carry with you and enjoy throughout your entire life!

Kenneth Weinfurtner

Kenneth has an MFA in Studio Art from Radford and attended Museum Study Programs in Europe. He currently teaches studio classes at Central Virginia Community College, as well as the Academy.

Rosalie Day White

Rosalie has a state wide reputation as a painter and teacher, winning numerous awards for her work as well as teaching at the Beverly Street Studio in Staunton, and the Nimrod Hall Artists Workshops. She graduated from Lynchburg College and teaches art in Amherst County Schools.