Instructors

Lynn Allred studied photography at Old Dominion University and, as a prize winning artist, has shown regionally and has published nationally. He was nominated for the LEICA medal of Excellence in Photography.  Lynn has taught beginner through advanced photography at the Visual Arts School for several years and works with a core of returning students.

Angela Bounds was heavily influenced by her early years spent in Idaho, giving her a great appreciation and love for nature’s landscapes.  She made the leap to painting after spending a summer afternoon painting with a friend and has painted plein air in many locations throughout the country.  Angela excels in her ability to paint all subject matter; landscape, still life and figurative works.

Jim Chalkley holds a Master of Fine Arts from New York State College of Ceramics, in Alfred, New York.  He has taught ceramics on the university level for almost thirty years and has an in-depth knowledge of all ceramic processes.  His award-winning work has been featured in numerous exhibitions, publications, and public and private collections.

Rich Gray is a retired Navy officer and origami enthusiast for forty years with a BA in American History and a secondary concentration in Japanese studies.  Spending five years stationed in Japan gave Rich the opportunity to add to his knowledge of origami.  Self-taught in the art of paperfolding beginning in high school and a member of OrigamiUSA, he boasts a personal library of over 100 origami books.

Angela Hudson calls her art “Realism in a Dreamlike State”.  She brings the viewer into her imagination to see what she sees in her dreams.  Hudson studied art at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee.  She is currently continuing her education in art and soaking up the inspiration of the being near the ocean again. Hudson enjoys helping others find their inner artist.  She has instructed art to all ages and at all levels of art.

Sandy Knowles is a librarian by trade and works for the Norfolk Public Library.  She began pursuing her interest in pottery approximately 8 years ago and spent 6 years working in the Odyssey studios associated with Highwater Clays in Asheville, NC.  She has learned from some well known ceramics artists such as Malcolm Davis, Susan Filley, and Matt Jones.  She spent 2 years working as a studio assistant at Odyssey, running the open studio on Sundays.  She works both on the wheel and does handbuilding with slabs.

Kristin Law graduated with a BFA Concentration in Ceramics from the University of Montevallo in Alabama, where she had the opportunity to help build and fire a salt kiln, a wood fired coffin kiln, and an anagama kiln. She has been teaching clay classes at the Hermitage Visual Arts School for seven years. Her ceramics, photography and mixed media work has won awards in juried exhibitions in Alabama, Mississippi, and Virginia.

Michal Mahgerefteh was born in Israel and has lived in Virginia since 1986. She is the publisher and editor of Poetica Magazine, Reflections of Jewish Thought.  Her poetry has been published in many literary magazines and her art has been exhibited in galleries in New Orleans, Virginia, New York, and Pennsylvania.

Helena Navarro is a textile artist currently participating in the Studio Artists Program at the Hermitage Museum & Gardens.  She graduated from Old Dominion University with a BFA and teaching certification.

Ken Nowitzki is a Norfolk native and graduate of Old Dominion University. He has been retired from the Defense Logistics Agency for 3 years during which time he has devoted significant time working on bonsai with the Virginia and American bonsai Societies.  He has practiced the art for 11 years and is currently the president of the Virginia society.

Lee Gerry Wertheimer studied at New York University, as well as in Italy and China. She has a BS degree in Art Education and a Master of Art in sculpture and art therapy. With over 25 years experience, Lee loves being a teacher.  As a professional artist with a studio at d'Art Center in Norfolk she has held numerous solo art exhibitions and won several awards of distinction.  Much of her art is inspired by the philosophical foundations of traditional Sumi-e painting.  She served as a delegate in the American Cultural Exchange Delegation to China.

The Hermitage Foundation Museum
7637 North Shore Road
Norfolk VA 23505

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