Rachel Haider, Theatre
Rachel Haider literally grew up in and around the theatre as her mother helped start Wisconsin’s first community theater. Ever since, Rachel has been a performer, choreographer, director, instructor and arts administrator. Since moving to this region seven years ago, Rachel has directed nearly twenty shows with both adults and children of all ages. Some of her area productions include Guys and Dolls, The Jungle Book, The King and I, Hello Dolly, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Cheaper by the Dozen, Up the Down Staircase, and the world premiere musical, Lockwood’s Brightest Stars . Rachel has worked at professional, community and educational theaters. She has taught in public and private schools, as well as with several arts organizations including the Northfield Arts Guild and Northfield Youth Choirs. She recently served as the Director of Drama at Shattuck-St. Mary’s School in Faribault and is a founding partner and instructor with Pinnacle Performing Arts in Northfield. Rachel brings a broad range of arts expertise to her students and productions, creating quality, memorable and fun theatrical experiences.
Amy Stanek, Oil Painting
Amy Stanek’s hometown is Faribault, MN where she graduated from Faribault Senior High School in 1993. She then went onto South Central Technical College of North Mankato, MN and completed a AAS degree in Commercial and Technical Art. After college she began a 16 year career in graphic design, pre-press and commercial printing. A few years ago Amy started her own private graphic design company, As Is Design, Inc. When she is not working on her computer she is painting in her studio or teaching in the classroom.
Amy Stanek’s decision to become a fully accredited Certified Ross Instructor (CRI®, CRFI®, CRWI®) was so rewarding and exciting! She was trained by personally appointed Bob Ross® teaching staff. Over 360 hours of intense training was completed to become accredited to teach the Bob Ross® wet-on-wet oil painting technique. Amy completed the Landscape (CRI®) and Floral (CRFI®) certification in 2008 and completed the Wildlife (CRWI®) certification in 2010. She began offering fun filled painting classes in February, 2009. The demand for more painting classes in surrounding communities continues to grow! Amy’s passion for art and creativity started since early childhood and teaching art to others is a lifetime dream come true. Her easygoing nature and natural teaching ability make it a joy to learn how to paint from Amy!
You will enjoy the wonderful fun atmosphere of painting in small class sizes. With in each painting class you will complete your finished painting all on your own. The canvas, paints, brushes and tools are provided for your use in the classroom [unless otherwise noted]. I will guide you step-by-step in a classroom environment as we learn together about the fantastic Bob Ross® paints and tools used to create your beautiful painting. Your family and friends will be very impressed with your masterpiece!
S. C. Rolf, Ceramics
S. C. Rolf lives and works as a studio potter in River Falls, WI, creating one-of-a kind functional pots. His work reflects an ongoing search to unie his ideas with the generosity and the intimacy that the functional pot offers. “I continually play with shape and surface within parameters set by the intended purpose of the pot. These parameters open a world of exploration for me.”
S. C. Rolf holds an MFA from the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, a BFA from the Kansas City Art Institute, and a BS in Broad Area Arts from the University of Wisconsin River Falls. He also apprenticed under Wang Hui Ming, a master painter and wood engraver.
Rolf exhibits his works throughout the United States and has received a number of national and international awards. He also lectures and teaches workshops throughout the country. His work resides in noted private ad museum collections, as well as numerous kitchen cupboards.
Marcus Moller, Pastels
Moller’s long list of art achievements began back in the 70’s doing his artwork in pencil, charcoal and pen and ink for his own enjoyment. And occasional oil painting would come about every so often but Moller never yielded from studying nature as well as the techniques of the impressionist masters. In the mid 80’s Moller set out as a private illustrator for various publications and throughout the 90’s as a graphic designer. All of this helped to create a keen eye to detail and composition.
It wasn’t until 2009 when Moller set out to involve himself in the world of color, turning first to watercolor and eventually settling on pastel as his prime medium. Using only student grade pastels Moller burst onto the pastel society with an unlikely fervor and receiving much kind regard from his peers. After a remarkably short amount of time he is regarded as an accomplished pastelist, backed up by his many awards world-wide.
Today Moller helps instruct others in pastel, composition and working from photographs. With a style that can be loose in his landscapes or tight in still life and wild life, Moller affords students a unique and varied opportunity to express themselves as individuals. “It isn’t about teaching others my style or to paint like myself. It is about teaching others techniques and developing their own style and individual expression. To help develop artists from what they have to work with.”
Deb Johnson, Batik
Deb is a textile artist with more than 25 years’ experience working with fibers and dyes who especially enjoys the medium of batik. Her art education has included many varied art classes from art and recreation programs when a child, to master level workshops as an adult.
She has been teaching art to children and adults for more than 20 years in the communities where she has lived and has taken opportunities to do demonstrations and workshops as far away as the University in Guanajuato, Mexico. Her classes are as fun as they are informative and she welcomes all skill levels.
Deb resides in Faribault, MN, where she works part-time as a nurse and does artwork out of her home studio. Her art can be seen and purchased in the Paradise Center for the Arts gift shop.
Dianne Lockerby
My claywork has always been a way for me to relax – it began as a way to cope with 2 small children. I channel my energies into pieces that I hope will bring pleasure to others. Whether functional pieces to be used for serving, or whimsical leaf faces, I make the pieces to last and serve a purpose. Many of my pieces reflect nature as they are formed when leaves are impressed into the clay for texture. Whether a face, or a bowl, the impression is unique and made ‘in season’ using a freshly picked leaf. (Favorite leaves are burdock (for faces), sunflower, squash, grape and oak.) Molds, when used, serve only to gently support the clay until clay is stiff enough to stand alone.
All my ceramic instruction has been gleaned from area Art Centers and workshops. Not a single college class has been taken and I am thankful to all the area talent that so willingly shares their knowledge. The clay and glazes I use are lead-free. My creations, depending on the type of clay, are fired to 2100-2300 degrees.
Currently I teach ceramics classes, for all levels of interest, at the Paradise Center for the Arts. (My first ceramics class was taken at the Faribault Art Center more years ago than I care to admit (but I have enjoyed the clay every year since my first class)). I believe everyone can enjoy clay – just give it time and don’t be afraid to get dirty!
Clay is simply ‘my hobby gone out of whack’…and I love every minute of it!
Shannon Nicholson, Sculpture
Shannon Nicholson is a senior Art major at the University of Minnesota, with a focus on multimedia and sculptural techniques. Shannon has a passion for art and art history, and often uses classical references directly in her work. Her artistic interests include collage, diorama, metal casting, woodcarving and painting. She has participated in numerous public art events, including Northfield’s Riverwalk Market Fair and Edina’s 50th & France Art Crawl.
Beginning a career in youth-oriented arts activism, Shannon is invested in the artistic growth of young adults. She has worked with youth through the YMCA and in volunteer settings over the last 4 years. Shannon provides an atmosphere where students can explore formal, technical, and expressive skills according to their personal interests, with relevant art history as a backdrop.
Shannon lives in Northfield, MN, where she works at Willie’s Shoe Repair Shop and does homework.
