Learn from Great Arts Teachers

Amy Putansu is an artist and educator living in the craft-rich culture of western North Carolina. She produces handwoven textiles that incorporate dyeing, stitching, and other textile techniques as art pieces for residential and corporate settings. She earned her BFA in textiles at the Rhode Island School of Design in 1995.

Alex McClay lives and works in Cincinnati, Ohio as an interdisciplinary artist, an instructor in Printmaking at the University of Cincinnati and the 2022 Artist-in-Residence at Tiger Lily Press. She graduated with an MFA in Studio Art from the University of Georgia in 2021. She received her BFA in Studio Art from the University of Cincinnati in 2014.

Nam Joti Kaur Khalsa, who learned this traditional American broom making technique from her teacher, Karen Hobbs. Karen Hobbs was a long time student of John Campbell Folk School who instilled her love of basket weaving and broom making in dozens of students across the country.

Brandy Clements and Dave Klingler run the nation's only chair caning school & museum, Silver River Center for Chair Caning, in Asheville, NC. With over 5,000 chairs woven between the two of them, they are considered experts in their field. They teach both in-person and online at the shop in the River Arts District, as well as on location at JCCFS, Arrowmont, and Penland.

I am a professional artist with over 20 years of experience and a Master’s degree in Painting and Fine Art. I have been teaching since 2005, working with students of all ages — from young children to aspiring professionals. My lessons focus on drawing, painting (oil, acrylic, watercolor), and portfolio preparation for art schools and colleges.

Lauren “Ren” Tysinger (they/them) come from a long line of textile artists, tracing back to their great grandmother escaping Eastern Europe during the height of WWII who made a living for herself and her family with the craft she brought over to the States: lacemaking.

Sheena O'Shea is an Army Veteran turned fiber artist after the first stab into wool. Sheena has been a long time lover of Art, graduating from UNC - Pembroke with a Bachelors in Studio Art, with a concentration in digital art. Sheena's mother in law introduced her to needle felting in 2023 and soon after they decided to partner up and start selling their work.

Miss Erin has trained with the best teachers and programs in the Boston area. She has cheered for professional sports teams and danced with several New England based companies in ballet and Latin dance. She has taught and coached thousands of students in dance and cheer throughout her 20+ year career.

As a professional artist and educator, I love helping students build confidence and joy in their creative practice — whether an enthusiastic elementary school multimedia art maker or a teen exploring art as a possible career path. I meet each learner where they are, with patience and encouragement, building on their interests and natural excitement.

My name is Arden, I have been crocheting for over 10 years! I sell my crochet and crochet patterns on my own Etsy shop at FireWolfArts.