Making Art from Memories
In this relaxed and supportive class, participants will explore creativity through the theme of memoir. Students will learn how the combination of words and visuals provide the perfect vehicle for expressing one’s personal history.
Participants will be asked to bring meaningful two-dimensional materials—such as photographs, letters, words, textiles, artifacts, and keepsakes from their own lives or those of people close to them—to help tell a layered and personal story. To help get your creative ideas flowing, Mari will share a few thematic prompts before the start of each class.
Throughout the class, you’ll explore a variety of techniques and ideas to help you compose your thoughts and how to portray them in a visual way. Students can expect to work with paint, a variety of mark making tools (i.e. paints, markers, pencils, etc), special adhesives, as well as simple image transfer techniques. Mari will also use a small portion of each class to introduce students to well-known authors who have taken the art of the illustrated memoir to an interesting and captivating level.
Discover how to transform your personal memories, dreams and treasured memorabilia into an exciting, one-of-a-kind work of art while exploring a wide range of creative tools and techniques. Students will be encouraged to complete a piece of artwork weekly, however personal tempo will be respected.
Suggested Supplies:
All of the items listed below are just ideas. Think about what you would like to work with and bring it along with you. No worries if you’re not sure what to bring. Mari will introduce you to a world of ideas and famous works of art which will serve as inspiration for the type of work you’d like to do.
- two-dimensional materials—such as photographs, letters, words, textiles, artifacts, and keepsakes from your own life or those of people close to you
- Pad of 9″x12″ Bristol Board
- Pencils
- Gel Pens
- “YES” glue, (available at Jerry’s Art Store)
- Matte medium
- A good pair of scissors.
- Scotch tape,masking tape
- Paints, brushes, pencils, crayons
- And whatever else interests you!
About the Instructor:
Mari Gyorgyey is bes
t known for her nonlinear narrative art which flows into book arts, pen and ink drawings, paintings, computer imagery, and fine art etchings. She is not afraid to mix any of the techniques to communicate her theme.Mari’s approach can be described as figurative and expressionistic. Her quirky and satirical drawings has been compared to Philip Evergood, and

Timothy Cronin holds a BFA in illustration from The School of Visual Arts. He has worked as a professional tattoo artist for the past 28 years. One of the more fulfilling aspects of his career has been in mentoring artists and sharing his knowledge and experience. Tim has taught workshops and classes independently as well as at Silvermine Arts Center, the Norwalk Arts Space, Darien Arts center, Mad arts and the Westport library. He is passionate about sharing his love of life drawing and location drawing. His classes are for all levels of students who are interested in learning more about composition, line and value. Students are encouraged to explore new ways of seeing and expressing themselves while remaining true to their artistic voice.

Sharon Schmiedel has a BFA in painting from the Maryland Institute College of Art. She works in watercolor, pen and ink, mixed media and acrylics. These works are energetic and expressive; it is the opposite direction from the many years she spent working in technical illustration, medical illustration, and graphic design. She now spends her creative energy painting, drawing, and teaching. To see Sharon’s most recent artwork take a look at her website
Academy of Art, a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts (Painting) from the Maryland Institute College of Art, and has completed a number of Independent studies with renowned artists Odd Nerdrum, Steven Assael, Will Cotton, Rita Natarova, Noah Buchanan, Vincent Desiderio and Alan Feltus. She has extensive teaching experience in the Fine Arts in painting, drawing and figuration. Specializing in observational and realistic techniques: foundational studies, graphite, charcoal, oil, watercolor and acrylic. Felicia comes to RAC as a new resident to Connecticut having just moved here from Long Island where she worked for years teaching at the Long Island Academy of Fine Art.

Evelyn Harvey is an artist and art instructor working with local organizations and art centers to bring creativity to the community. She was a Professor of Visual Art, teaching Drawing I, Painting I, Designer Fundamentals, Color Theory, and Art Appreciation at Palm Beach State College. She received her BFA in painting from Pratt institute and MFA in painting from Savannah College of Art &
Nina Suggs is a self-taught knitter and has been knitting since 2001. Over the years, she’s made a wide variety of projects, including scarves, shawls, baby blankets, sweaters, socks, and hats. Her love of knitting began when she was recovering



Lizzy De Vita is an interdisciplinary artist, writer and educator. First studying English and Art History with a Visual Arts Concentration at Barnard College, Lizzy later advanced to Yale for a Masters in Fine Arts. As an educator, Lizzy has lectured as a visiting critic at RISD, Cooper Union, SVA , Barnard and Yale and has taught courses at Columbia School of the Arts, SUNY Old Westbury, Yale, Cornell and others. Lizzy’s work has been exhibited internationally, most notably at the Chimney NYC, The National Museum of the Moving Image, The Andy Warhol Museum and the Carnegie Museum. Their writing has been published in art journals including Frieze and
Thom Williams is a photographic artist currently living in Troy, NY.
Hello, My name is Michelle Bjerke and I am excited to be teaching Crochet for Kids. I am currently studying at the University of Connecticut while spending my summer break working as a gallery assistant and teacher at the Rowayton Arts Center. I’ve been an avid crocheter since I was 8 and actually began assisting the after school program that taught me at the qualified age of 12 so lets hope I am a proficient instructor by now. Since then I’ve shown textile work at my school and sold my products at RAC and other places. I am excited to get crocheting with all of you and I hope you walk out of this class with a new skill.



Sarah Schmerler is a dynamic writing specialist and art critic who has been teaching artists how to write for more than 20 years. She developed her own art-writing methodology at The New School, and has lectured at Yale, Parsons, Pace University, Pratt Institute, The Lower East Side Print Shop, Montclair State University, Chashama, The Brooklyn Arts Council, Pierogi Gallery, and other venues. As a private consultant, she has written
Artist Nancy McTague-Stock credits early exposure to environmental experiences as the impetus for her life long artistic focus. Her environmentally focused imagery centrally highlights the fragility of nature in an increasingly technocentric world, through an amalgam of painting, printmaking and contemporary photographic media. Her work is observation-based, with a strong conceptual sensibility and superb craftsmanship.
Joseph Fama earned a bachelor’s degree from Iona College and attended the School of Visual Arts and the Reilly League of Artists. Cesare Borgia was his instructor. He is a member of The American Artist Professional League, Oil Painters of America and American Impressionist Society, Inc. He was President and Creative Director of Fama & Associates Inc. Also served as an Art Director for several advertising agencies in New York City. This involved working with clients and copywriters in developing concepts and visual images for ads and T.V. commercials. He was also an Illustrator / Designer on Christmas Ornaments for Christopher Radko for many years.

Denise Minnerly graduated from the University of Vermont with a Bachelor of Science in Art Education and Bachelor of Fine Arts in the arts. She continued her art education at the Arts Student League in New York City and Silvermine School of Art in Connecticut. She is the illustrator of three published children’s books relating to art, The Color Tree, Molly Meets Mona and Friends and Painting the Town. Her paintings and installations are displayed by public corporations and art venues throughout the Northeast. Denise has been teaching art since the mid-80’s both through her own school and as an art teacher at Greens Farms Academy.
“To call myself an artist is humbling. What I do is photograph all manner of subjects–landscape, portraits, fauna and flora–and find the beauty in them. There is no higher calling.”
John Grieco is a portrait painter located in New York City. Grieco is a recipient of the Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grant. He won “Best in Show” at a 2010 Exhibition at the Salmagundi Art Club in New York City and received the Randolph Chitwood Award in the 2010 Greenwich Art Society Members Exhibition. John’s been teaching at RAC for over 10 years and has a loyal following.
For years I was a professor at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in the Hague, the Netherlands where I also received my education. Currently I reside in Sarasota, Florida where I draw, paint, teach, coach and lecture on the subjects and topics I love.
Frank Bruckmann began his studies at the DuCret School of Art in New Jersey and continued with classes at the Art Students League in New York City. In Paris, he studied at the Ecole des Beaux Arts and spent nearly a decade in France and Spain, copying the masters in great museums and painting landscapes in the cities and countryside. Now a resident of New Haven, Bruckmann has found endless subject matter for landscapes in New England but

Our instructor, Michelle Beyman, known as “Mrs. B, Mrs. Clay & ClayLady”, teaches all ages about clay, painting/drawing & mixed media. She is a ceramicist and mixed-media artist who loves to visit museums, sculpture parks, exhibits and other artists’ studios throughout the world to inspire her students.


Lenny Moskowitz is a Connecticut landscape painter who lives in New Haven with his wife.He graduated with his B.F.A from the Philadelphia College of Art and received his M.F.A. from Michigan’s Cranbrook Academy. Lenny has participated in both group and solo shows at numerous Galleries throughout the U.S. and has taught classes and workshops in Connecticut, Block Island, and Nantucket. He has been awarded several artist residencies, including at the Anderson Center in Minnesota and at the NISDA Foundation on Nantucket, MA. In the summer of 2011 he was awarded a residency at Weir Farm in Wilton, CT. He makes yearly painting trips to Maine, Nantucket, and frequently sojourns to the surrounding Connecticut woods to paint.
Drawing inspiration from Abstract Expressionism as well as Impressionism, Souby Boski uses gestural and abstracted forms to define her richly textured compositions. Her loosely painted canvases are immediate responses to her visceral connection with her subjects.

Instructor, Felicia Feldman, has a Master of Fine Arts (Painting) from the New York Academy of Art (2010), a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts (Painting) from the Maryland Institute College of Art (2007) and has done a number of Independent Studies in Painting and Drawing with the renowned artist, Odd Nerdrum, Norway 2006. Other notable instructors include: Steven Assael, Will Cotton, Rita Natarova, Noah Buchanan, Vincent Desiderio, and Alan Feltus.


Karen Siegel is a visual artist and educator. She teaches at Silvermine Arts Center, Brookfield Craft Center,Wainwright House,the Weston Library and throughout Connecticut.

Suzy Aubrey has been doodling and drawing since she was old enough to hold a pencil. She was the kid in class whose notebook margins were filled with caricatures of those around her and in her imagination. She claims that drawing while listening helped her to process the words being heard and continues with the practice to this day.


Mary Ann McSweeney is a full-time professional bassist in New York City. She was on the faculty for the Middle School Jazz Academy at Lincoln Center for
12 years, and performed at the White House with the Eli Yamin Quintet and the Kennedy Center Gala with the Clayton/Hamilton Orchestra. Mary Ann was musical director/arranger for three shows at NYC’s Birdland featuring Jane Monheit, in a program that included selections from Irving Berlin and the Cole Porter musical, “Anything Goes.” McSweeney has played more than 45 Broadway shows, including Tony award-winning “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder.” In 2017 she performed in Greece and Berlin with her Urban Fado Project. Her original music can be heard on the documentary “From Allegiance to Broadway,” currently playing in theaters around the country. She recently was seen at the Public Theater playing the onstage bass player for the “Girl From the North Country” that opened to rave reviews. In 2019 She performed the music of Charles Mingus, arranging and orchestrating for the new ensemble sponsored by the Bronx Arts Ensemble.
Karen Siegel is a visual artist and educator. She teaches at Silvermine Arts Center, Brookfield Craft Center,Wainwright House,the Weston Library and throughout Connecticut.

To the left is an example of one of Anda’s own paintings that she was unsettled with. It was like having two paintings that did not fit together – the landscape did not fit with the light of the sky..etc…..
Sam Morrow moved to Fairfield, CT after having taught art both privately and at University level for 15 years in Virginia. He was born in London, England where he received his BA (Hons) in Painting from St. Martin’s School of Art. He received his MFA Fine Art from the Royal college of Art in London and Ohio State University.

Steven DiGiovanni is a professional artist and instructor who lives and works in New Haven, Connecticut. He has exhibited throughout the region and is included in numerous private collections as well as the New Britain Museum of American Art.

Currently, Rick Daskam is co-president of the Hudson Valley Art Association. In 2004 he began entering Juried Art Exhibitions and Museum shows. Preferring to express his passion in Oil, Mr. Daskam’s works have garnered him numerous awards including the, The Collectors Award from the Butler Museum of American Art, the Claude Parsons Memorial Award for Landscape from the American Artists Professional League, and the Frank

