Ceramics

Ben Ahlvers

Ben teaches Intro to Ceramics, Tilemaking and Dinnerware at the Lawrence Arts Center. He has a BFA from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and an MFA from Ohio University. His work is exhibited as numerous galleries and museums in the U.S., London, Spain and China. Ben says "I use clay because of its ability to show evidence of the makers hand and mimic other materials. The work I make is primarily figurative. I am essentially asking questions of myself and I believe the work reflects this process."

Email: bahlvers@excite.com

Deena Amont

Deena Amont is a high school art teacher at Lawrence High School , where she teaches ceramics, jewelry, and digital imaging. She received her certification in Visual Art Education from the University of Kansas with a concentration in Ceramics. She also has a Bachelor of Science degree in Plant Science from Rutgers University . She is certified to teach grades K-12, and has taught many classes at the Lawrence Arts Center for both children and adults. When she’s not making art or teaching, she enjoys gardening and keeping bees.

Larry Brow

Larry Brow earned an MFA from the University of Iowa in 1989 and has operated Please Touch Pottery ever since. His thrown pots reside in collections as far away as Australia, Canada, and Norway. His handbuilt clay armchairs can be found throughout the United States and at Diane's Artisan Gallery here in Lawrence. He taught Advanced Ceramics at the Arts Center from 1992-96 and looks forward to helping students make "really good pots."

Hollie Rice

Hollie Rice teaches a variety of classes at the Arts Center including Family Pottery, Intro to Ceramics, children's classes, Pottery, Metalsmithing, and Intermediate Ceramics. She has a BFA in Ceramics and Art History from the University of Kansas, and is currently completing her Masters in Visual Arts Education. Her work can be seen at the Olive Gallery in Lawrence, and in numerous other exhibitions in and around Lawrence and Kansas City. Hollie employs a variety of materials in her work; she often uses clay alone, but is not afraid to use metal, wood, glass, or anything else that can help to communicate a particular idea successfully. She prefers to work in clay because of its flexible nature and endless array of possibilities. Her current body of work is a collection of low and high-fired ceramic birthday cakes. Her cakes reflect her playful sense of humor, as does most of her sculptural work.

Email: hrice@ku.edu

Children's Classes

Ann Dean

Ann received a Bachelor of Arts in English at the University of Kansas, and went on to pursue a graduate certificate from the New York Institute of Photography. She has studied under several different photographers in the Lawrence area, and is currently teaching photography at the Lawrence Arts Center and working as a freelance photographer.

Creative Writing

Laurie Martin-Frydman

Dance
2007-2008 LAC Dance teachers

Candi Baker

( Dance Program Director) MA in Dance, Mills College. Over 40 years of teaching, performing, choreographing. Founder and Artistic Director of Prairie Wind Dancers (1987-2004) and originated the Pistachio, Popcorn, Pretzel and Peanut Cos. Recipient of a 1998 Lawrence Phoenix Award. LAC studio named for her in recognition for her contributions to dance in Lawrence& region.

Blue Barrand and Christie Curtis

(Ballroom, Latin) Delightful father/ daughter team. Numerous years of competition & awards. Long time Lawrence residents.

Deborah Bettinger

( Ballet Program Coordinator, Ballet Instructor) Extensive classical training, teaching experience and professional performance/choreography experience. Former Director of the Lawrence School of Ballet. Former member of PWD and Kaw Valley Dance Co. Artistic Director of Lawrence Ballet Ensemble, Youth Ballet Company, A Kansas Nutcracker and Snow Queen.

Megan Corcoran

(Creative Dance, Pilates) Holds a masters degree in Dance Therapy from Antioch University in New Hampshire. Has taught in a variety of different settings including working with special need populations

Cynthia Crews

(Ballet, Character, Variations) Holds a BFA in Dance Pedagogy from the University of Oklahoma. Performed as a soloist and principal with the Tulsa Ballet Theatre, and also with Tampa Ballet, Tulsa Opera and numerous other companies and shows. Studied at Harkness Ballet and American Ballet Theatre in NYC. Over thirty years of teaching experience.

Hannah Cromwell

(Iyengar Yoga) Cromwell has been studying Iyengar yoga for over 20 years. As a certified instructor, she has attended numerous training and teaching workshops throughout the country including India where she studied with the Iyengar family.

Shannon Edwards

(Modern, Ballet) Recent graduate from Grinnell College in Iowa. Currently in her first year as an apprentice dancer with the 940 dance company.

Molly Gordon

(Jazz, Diverse Dance) Trained in L.A. and danced professionally with Celebrity Cruise Line, Six Flags and Disneyland. She frequently returned to L.A. for projects. Molly teaches in both Topeka and Lawrence.

Janice Griffin

(Child Parent Movement & Music) Holds a Bachelor of Music Education from KU. In addition to teaching at the arts center, Janice also teaches piano, violin and viola lessons. She also plays with a local musical group as well as her church with her daughter.

Leandra Monreal

(Tap) Currently studying biology and dance at KU. Hails from Topeka where she studied all dance forms and has 13 years of tap training with extensive experience with the youth.

Betsy McCafferty

(Prep Ballet) Dancing for over 15 years, with extensive study in ballet. Created roles for Lawrence Ballet Ensemble & was guest dancer with PWD.

Susan Reiger

( 940 DC Artistic Director) Rieger holds a Bachelors of Art in Dance from the University of Iowa and holds a Master of Social Welfare from the University of Kansas Directed aha! dance theatre for 14 years. Awarded Kennedy Center Award for Choreography in 2004.Rieger has toured throughout the Midwest, presenting residences, workshops and performances to a variety of audiences.

LaShane Starr

(Mexican Folkloric) LaShane began dancing at St.John’s Fiesta in 3rd grade. At age 16 she began training in Kansas City. For over 13 years she danced with “Fiesta Mexicana” in Kansas City, choreographing and teaching.

Rachel Sanner

(Ballet) Dancing since she was 3 at the Lawrence Arts Center, currently pursuing a degree from the University of Kansas. KU dance scholarship winner and has trained with various guest artists at the University.

Todd Wyant

(Ashtanga Yoga) Todd has extensive training in the various disciplines of Yoga. He is a gifted teacher and has been teaching for many years.

Drama

Jeanne Averill

Jeanne Averill has been teaching and directing for over 25 years. Jeanne was the 2000 recipient of the American Alliance for Theatre in Education John C. Barner Teacher of the Year Award. Nationally recognized as the innovative creator of the outstanding Experimental and Issue Theatre Program at Lawrence High School, Jeanne's program has featured residencies of some of the top playwrights in the field of theatre for youth, including Laurie Brooks, Sandy Asher, Ric Averill and Max Bush.

In addition to her work as a teacher, Jeanne is a professional actress performing in film, commercials and on stage. Jeanne teaches Acting for the Camera, Audition Workshops, and Improvisation and Issue theatre for the Drama Program.

Ric Averill

Ric Averill has been the Artistic Director and principal playwright for the Seem-To-Be Players professional children's theatre company since he and his wife, Jeanne, founded the company in 1973.

Ric writes both plays and music, with degrees in both Music Composition and Children's Theatre from the University of Kansas. Ric has received numerous Playwrighting Fellowships and been selected for five professional play development symposiums including the Kennedy Center's New Visions/New Voices, the Indianapolis Bonderman Youth Theatre Playwrighting Symposium and the Grand Valley Shakespeare Festival of New Plays.

Ric's plays, published by Dramatic Publishing, include The Seven Voyages of Sinbad the Sailor, Bird Woman: the Story of Sacagawea, The Princess and the Pea & other short plays, Alex and the Shrink World and T-Money and Wolf (with Kevin Willmott.)

Chris Blunk

Chris Blunk is a local filmmaker who, with partner Jeremy Osbern, started Through A Glass Productions, a small production company devoted to making short and feature-length narrative films in addition to commercial work. He lives in Lawrence with his lovely wife, T.J.

E-mail: chris@throughaglass.com

website: www.throughaglass.com

Christie Dobson

Christie Dobson received her BA in Theatre from KU in 1992 and worked as a professional actor, singer and teacher in Seattle for many years before returning to Lawrence with her husband and their 2 little boys. Christie is now pursuing a Master's Degree in Theatre with training in Drama Therapy at Kansas State University.

Jennifer Glenn

Jennifer Glenn is a long-time member of the Seem-To-Be Players and teaches many of the drama classes at the Arts Center, including Lil'Bees, Soon-To-Be Players, and the Seem-To-Be Apprentices. Jennifer also teaches in the Lawrence Arts Center's Arts-Based Preschool. She has a degree in Theater from Southern Methodist University in Dallas and is also an accomplished costumer.

Danny Rogovein

Drawing

Jeff Ridgway

Jeff Ridgway teaches Anatomy and Life Drawing, Portraiture and Oil Painting. He has a B.A. in Drawing from Truman State University and a B.F.A. and M.F.A. in Painting from KU. Jeff's work has been exhibited in Kansas City, Wichita, Denver, Las Vegas, Lawrence and Houston. His work is in collections throughout the United States, in London, Paris and Dusseldorf.

Jeff says, "I am a humanist. I believe in the value of that which binds us together as human beings, and I try to emulate that in my art."

Email: jbridgway (at) sbcglobal (dot) net

Christa Dalien

Fiber Art

Constance Ehrlich

Constance Ehrlich teaches classes in the book arts. She studied bookmaking with Hedi Kyle at Anderson Ranch in Snowmass, CO. Constance has a B.F.A from Kansas State University in graphic design and a M.F.A. in painting from the University of Kansas. Constance is a full-time artist and has exhibited her work nationally. You can see her work at the Lawrence Arts Center Gallery Shop, the Strecker-Nelson Gallery, Manhattan, KS, and at her website.

Email: cjehrlich@sunflower.com

Website: www.constanceehrlich.com

Christina says, "I investigate different aspects of identity loss as well as personal loss and how personal affects or keepsakes are collected and stored. I strive to use my voice as a narrator contemplating a manuscript of remembrance and processing history."

Email: zionsun (at) ku (dot) edu

Metalsmithing

Hollie Rice

Painting

Louis Copt

Louis Copt teaches watercolor, oil and figure painting classes . Louis holds a B.A. in Art from Emporia State University and he also studied at the Art Students League in New York. His work has been exhibited at many galleries and museums across the country, including the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, the Beach Museum in Manhattan and the Spencer Museum in Lawrence. To see Louis' most recent paintings and get information on current and upcoming exhibits, please visit his web page.

Email: lcopt@direcway.com

Website: www.louiscopt.com

Paul Hotvedt

Paul Hotvedt teaches oil painting workshops for the Arts Center. He has a B.F.A. from the Tyler School of Art and an M.F.A. from the Maryland Institute College of Art. His paintings have been exhibited in Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Tucson and Wichita.

Web site: paulhotvedt.com

Email: blueheron@sbcglobal.net

Joan Parker

Joan teaches Painting the Natural Landscape classes at the Lawrence Arts Center. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts with honors from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA. She has been a freelance artist in the motion picture industry and as an original greeting card artist at Hallmark Cards. Her work has been exhibited at the Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in California; Gallery International, MD; Galleries in KS, MO, WY, IL CO, CT and CA. She has participated in twenty five group exhibitions, national juried shows and several one woman shows. Parker has been instrumental in establishing Plein Air painting events in both Kansas and Missouri. She has a passion for the immediacy of painting outdoors and enjoys sharing her love with others.

Email: jbourgeois@kc.rr.com

Jeff Ridgway

Jeff Ridgway teaches Anatomy and Life Drawing, Portraiture and Oil Painting. He has a B.A. in Drawing from Truman State University and a B.F.A. and M.F.A. in Painting from KU. Jeff's work has been exhibited in Kansas City, Wichita, Denver, Las Vegas, Lawrence and Houston. His work is in collections throughout the United States, in London, Paris and Dusseldorf.

Jeff says, "I am a humanist. I believe in the value of that which binds us together as human beings, and I try to emulate that in my art."

Email: jbridgway@sbcglobal.net

Photography

Ann Dean

Preschool

Miriam Cain

Miriam Cain began working at the Lawrence Arts Center Preschool as a parent volunteer when her children were in the preschool. Miriam has a degree in Music Education from KU, with an emphasis in both vocal and instrumental music for grades K-12. She completed additional coursework in Early Childhood Education with emphasis on the exceptional child.

Allison Haworth

Allison Haworth began working at the Lawrence Arts Center Preschool as a parent volunteer when her children were in the preschool. Allison has a degree in Elementary Education from KU and taught first grade in the Lawrence Public Schools for 11 years.

Megan Hay

Megan Hay has a degree in Early Childhood Education and graduate hours in Early Childhood Special Education from the University of Kansas. She has experience teaching in Lawrence and Kansas City, Missouri. Three of her four children attended preschool at the Lawrence Arts Center.

Ann Johnson

Ann Johnson started teaching Integrated Arts for Preschoolers at the Arts Center in the fall of 1991. Ann received her degree in Early Childhood Education from Kansas State University. She taught in early childhood centers in Overland Park and Pittsburgh, Kansas after she finished college and was the director of a Mother's Day Out program in Overland Park before moving to Lawrence.

Heather Smith Jones

Heather joined the preschool staff in January 2004. She has a BFA in drawing and painting from East Carolina University in Greenville, NC and a MFA in painting from Kansas University. Heather has taught both children's and adult art classes at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, TN; at Kansas University; and as a private instructor in drawing and painting. Her work has been exhibited extensively and is represented in several galleries.

Leslie McCaffrey

Leslie Mccaffrey has degrees in Elementary Education and Public Health from Kansas University. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of several organizations which focus on children’s issues. Leslie’s children attended the preschool. Leslie is the art teacher in the 2007-2008 Pilot Pre-K Project in Douglas County.

Linda Reimond

Linda Reimond is the original director of the preschool program at the Arts Center and currently teaches in two classes. She taught kindergarten in Wichita and Tulsa before her daughter entered preschool. When that happened, Linda started preschool too, and she has never left. She has degrees in Elementary Education from Wichita State University and Early Childhood Education from Emporia State University. She is an adjunct instructor at Washburn University and has been part of an N.E.A. grant to train artists in early childhood arts education.

Printmaking

Christa Dalien

Tim O'Brien

Tim O'Brien has been printing by hand with moveabletype since 1984. He likes to talk about the "threedimensionality" of letterpress and loves the way a letterpress piece can catch light to make printed words into a piece of sculpture. The process of letterpress printing can be soothing; there is no way to hurry it. "Tactile design" is another phrase that comes up in the letterpress classes: this is nothing like the computer! Tim grows vegetables for his family, makes pesto for sale, and is passionate about the culture of agriculture.

Stained Glass and Mosaics

Shanna Wagner

Technical Theatre

Lee Saylor

Lee Saylor is the Lawrence Arts Center Technical Director/Facility Manager as well as Resident Lighting Designer for 940 dance company, LAC Drama and Dance Programs; Set and Lighting Designer for American Indian Repertory Theatre (AIRT), English Alternative Theatre (EAT)and HERstory Productions. His lighting design credits include The Second Hand Dance Company, nova convention revisited and PBS broadcasts. Lee also works with many local school programs. He joined the Lawrence Arts Center as Technical Director in 2001 after 16 years working as TD at Kansas University’s Lied Center of Kansas and Binghamton University’s Anderson Center. Lee also serves as Master Electrician for the American Heartland Theatre in Kansas City.

Danny Rogovein

After graduating from the University of Kansas with a BFA in Theatre Design, Danny Rogovein spent a year at the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta, Georgia before returning to his adopted home of Lawrence. Shortly after his return he found a home as the Touring Stage Manager for the Arts Center’s Seem-To-Be Players for four years before joining the Arts Center staff full time as Assistant Technical Director. Danny is pleased to be sharing his love of the behind-the-scenes action of live performance with the students of the Tech Theatre program for junior and senior high school students. Each summer Danny serves a Technical Director for Summer Youth Theatre. He also is the Stage Manager and Set Builder for many of the productions at the Lawrence Arts Center.

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