Teachers
Fall 2009
Sarah Bradsher is currently pursuing her BFA in Art Education at VCU. She has a love for sculpture and art history. Currently she is also a 6th grade Hebrew teacher at Congregation Beth Ahabah in down town Richmond. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and fine dining. She is looking forward to Saturday Art School this coming fall!
Shannon Callis is a senior at VCU. She is currently working toward my BFA in Art Education, as well as double minoring in art history and special education. During the summers, she works at Pocahontas State Park working at their summer camp. “I am looking forward to being a part of Saturday Art School at VCU this fall.”
Steven Cogbill is currently a senior majoring in Art Education with a minor in Art History. He has been married for over 9 years, has a son who is going into the third grade, and has a wife who is an art teacher in the Henrico County Public Schools. Steven’s hobbies include painting and spending time with friends and family.
Kyunga Connery is currently working towards her Bachelor's degree in Art Education with a minor in Art History. A recent transfer from the University of South Carolina, she has had many opportunities to work with young children. She had spent some time as a volunteer tutor for the local Girl's Home in South Carolina and also as an after-school daycare instructor at a local church.
Kelly Cook is a third year graduate student earning her master’s degree in art education. She received her BFA in photography from VCU in 2004, although she enjoys creating art with all types of media! She has experience teaching a variety of age groups and is looking forward to working with your children.
Brittany Downer is currently a senior at VCU, studying Art Education. She transferred to VCU after receiving an Associates Degree and Fine Arts Certificate from Germanna Community College. She interned with a museum's education department over the summer where she first experienced working with children in pre-K - 5th grade.
Sarah Elizabeth is a junior majoring in Art Education and minoring in Art History. Sarah has travelled to Guatemala to teach art to elementary-aged children. She has also worked at St. Catherine’s summer Creative Arts Program teaching children from grades two through five. Sarah continues to involve herself in programs such as Art 180 and the Mayan Arts Program to gain more experience as an art educator.
Amy Federico is a third year undergraduate student. She loves interacting with children. Amy, also, loves working in multiple art mediums. She can't wait to get started on the wonderful art the Saturday Art School children will be making.
Marshall Higgins, a Richmond native and a VCU graduate in painting and printmaking, is currently seeking a second degree in Art Education. “I look forward to a lifetime of helping young people find their voices through creative exercise."
Zach Jones is an undergraduate majoring in Art Education. “I'm attending VCU to become an art teacher because I have been interested in art since a young child.” Zach grew up on a small farm in the Shenandoah Valley raising beef cattle. He just bought his first home with his wife.
Eleni Kanakis is an artist and writer from the DC metro area. She will be graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2010 with a BFA in Art Education and a minor in Psychology. She plans to attend graduate school to study art therapy. She has taught summer lessons at the Metropolitan Day School and the Congressional Schools of Virginia. Her greatest career aspiration is to bring art to those who need it most.
Rebecca Lehr is a junior Art Education major, pursuing minors in Art History and Spanish. She has worked with children at St. Catherine's Creative Arts Program and at Fairlington Preschool. She enjoys sculptural and mixed media, and cannot wait to share her love for art with the Saturday Art School students.
Eric Manwiller is a second year graduate student with a BFA in Painting in Printmaking from VCU. Over the past ten years, he has had a variety of occupations such as a scenic painter on the set of the HBO series, "John Adams", and a manager-in-training for a popular band out of Minneapolis, Minnesota. He has also been a musician for many years and has recorded over five records of original material.
Jessica McClaire is an Art Education major, minoring in Art History. She works part time as a trophy builder, while freelancing graphite and color pencil commissions.
Amy Melcher is an undergraduate majoring in Art Education. “It is never too early to appreciate and study art. After some time off, I am excited that I am finally completing my degree. Saturday Art School is going to be awesome and I can’t wait to meet, teach, and learn with all the young eager minds.”
Michelle Parrott, a senior majoring in Art Education is a native to the Richmond area. Born and raised in Mechanicsville, she is happy to be a part of a valuable enrichment opportunity for Richmond children like the VCU Saturday Art School. When she is not at class, she works with infants and children (6 weeks to 12 years) at Tuckaway in Mechanicsville.
Charlie Post is a senior majoring in Art Education. He has an extensive background in music and literature and holds a degree in cabinetry and fine woodworking.
Nancy Post is a second year graduate student in Art Education. She has an undergraduate degree in Fibers and has worked in exhibit design and production for national museums.
Jordan Smolko is a senior at VCU this year double majoring in both Art Education and Craft/ Material Studies. She currently works with VCU AmeriCorps in the Carver community at Cary Elementary School. In her spare time she enjoys painting and working with 3-D materials.
Natalie Steck received a BFA degree from VCU Crafts Department in 2000. After graduating she became a Flight Attendant for US Airways while working on her art. She returned to VCU last spring to pursue a second degree in Art Education. She is excited to incorporate her travel and art making experiences into her teaching!
Sejal Vaywala is a second year Master of Art Education student at VCU. Before coming to graduate school, she earned a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Painting from Washington University in St. Louis and taught English in a year-long AmeriCorps program. Her media range from traditional painting/drawing techniques to experimenting with materials. She also enjoys traveling, exploring new cultures, learning, working with children, reading, journaling and socializing.
Jennifer Walters is a senior double majoring in Art Education and Sculpture. She has also interned at the Philadelphia Mural Arts program where she painted murals and helped teach people of all ages to paint. During the school year, she works as a Health Promotion Assistant at VCU’s Wellness Resource Center. She’s currently the President of a student organization that educates students about Sexual Assault, Intimate Partner Violence, and Healthy Relationships.
