All of our teachers are working artists, professional art educators, and art historians, carefully matched to the classes they teach. The list below has links to short biographies of instructors and staff for the Creative Workshop.
NOTE: If you are looking for a specific teacher/artist not listed, please email us at creativeworkshop@mag.rochester.edu.
Allison Shultes joined the Creative Workshop administrative team in 2022, where she serves as Director. In her role as Director Allison works with the team to develop and implement strategies that produce high quality curriculum, classes and camp experiences and is focusing on encouraging growth of the Creative Workshop in support of the overall mission […]
Amy has a wide body of experience teaching various people groups of all ages in a variety of environments including the gallery space and art studio. “I prefer to teach through leading experiences that build skills in art viewing and art making. Participants have the opportunity to construct meaning and images that are unique to […]
Aubrey Donovan teaches children’s and family art classes here at the Creative Workshop and has done so since 2014. Aubrey holds a Master of Science in Creative Arts Therapy which compliments her undergraduate degree of a Bachelor of Science in Art Education. For two years she served as the Humane Education and Outreach Manager at […]
Ben began teaching at the Creative Workshop in Spring, 2018 and remembers taking classes with John Kastner when he was a child. That class and other experiences fed his creativity and led to a long journey in the arts. Ben earned his Bachelor’s in Fine Arts in Illustration from the Cleveland Institute of Art and […]
Bobby owns and operates Roc Paint Sip and will teach painting, drawing, and other related classes starting in the Winter 2023 session. Teaching at the Creative Workshop comes naturally for Bobby after years of painting and teaching. He holds a BFA from Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, MD. His experience as an artist […]
Brooks Girsch teaches art as a way of looking and of thinking that can be explored in any medium—from paint to clay and back again. She champions art making as a universally accessible and deeply human practice. Her classroom is a welcoming space to learn new skills, connect and enjoy creating. She has a particular […]
Dale has been with the Creative Workshop since 2011 and her association with the workshop is long and deep. Dale is a printmaker and a painter who is interested in the post-industrial landscape of Upstate New York. Courses she took as a child and then as an adult inspired her to become an artist after […]
Dave Gardner is an adult watercolor and drawing teacher. He trained as an architect in Minnesota taking many art classes along the way. After college, he worked as an architect and commercial illustrator in Minneapolis before moving back to hometown Rochester, NY. His mark is on many buildings in Western New York having operated his […]
Dejan Pejovic has taught sculpture and drawing classes at the Creative Workshop since 1994 and remembers taking Workshop classes as a child. He addresses students’ individual needs and potential, with a focus on modes of observation. Dejan earned a BFA from York University in Toronto and also studied at RIT, City and Guilds Art School […]
Eddie Davis III is the son of two local artists. Born and raised in Rochester, he holds a BFA in Industrial Design from the Rhode Island School of Design and an MFA in Sculpture from Rochester Institute of Technology. Eddie has spent over two decades making and teaching art, starting as a teaching assistant at […]
g. a. Sheller has taught painting at the Creative Workshop since 1983. She has toured the world as an artist and instructor—in Ireland (pictured), France, Italy and Scotland, as well as Rochester—aiming to help students, beginners to advanced, grow in their painting ability and learn to paint successful, expressive views of their world. Her own […]
Gabriel joined the Creative Workshop as the morning registrar in 2023. Prior to his current role, he worked as an aftercare coordinator for elementary school children, setting up artistic as well as physical activities for them after their school day. In addition to his professional responsibilities, Gabriel has a passion for drawing, animating, and writing […]
Grace Gumina’s love of teaching paired with her love of art is a combination that brings her incredible joy. Webster born and raised, she is a dedicated and passionate entrepreneur, teacher, and artist with a profound love of working with kids and building strong relationships in the classroom. She has loved creating since before she […]
With an MFA in metalsmithing from Colorado State University and a BFA from the School of American Crafts at Rochester Institute of Technology, Hilary has worked and studied under some of the best metalsmiths in the business at Tiffany & Company, Paley Studios, Rochester Institute of Technology and CSU. Her background experience in teaching includes […]
Jacob Dambra is a ceramic artist active in the Rochester arts community. He graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology in 2022 with a BFA in Ceramics. Shortly after college Jacob worked as an exhibit fabricator at the Rochester Museum & Science Center to help construct the Wonders of Water exhibit. In his work Jacob […]
Born in Rochester and raised in Brockport New York, Jason has consistently loved creating art in all its forms. With early influences of abstract impressionism, classic renaissance illustrations, various artist such as Dali, Van Gogh, and Picasso; Jason soon found himself in 2000 landing an apprenticeship under a local tattoo artist in his hometown learning […]
Jennielyz (Jenny) Santana-Vega first joined the Creative Workshop team as a volunteer and over the last five years moved into a Teacher Assistant role. Beginning in Fall 2022, Jenny will be joining the team as a Ceramics Teacher for kids aged 7 to 9. Born in Puerto Rico and moving to Rochester when she was […]
Joan is a painter who specializes in brightly colored, expressive florals and landscapes. She is excited to teach beginners and others how create their own authentic paintings. She is also a Trauma Informed Yoga Teacher/Trainer and has been studying yoga for over 29 years with well over 1,600 hours of training with yoga masters from […]
A longtime Workshop instructor, Joanne uses her experience as a metalsmith and jewelry designer to encourage students to create unique personal jewelry. Combining her knowledge of designing jewelry for mass production, and the satisfaction of incorporating symbolism in “one of a kind” treasures she offers students the opportunity to stretch their imaginations in a relaxed […]
Joseph (Joe) Tarantelli is from Honeoye Falls, NY. Since childhood, art has been a part of his life. In addition to working in galleries and painting, he aspires to teach students how to find their artistic voice. After receiving his BFA in fine arts studio from Rochester Institute of Technology, Tarantelli served as an intern […]
❧ In honor of Creative Workshop teachers who have passed since 2020 we remember Dr. Alice Chen and Ephraim Daniels. ❧
