Meet Our Instructors |
KATHY BECKER
Kathleen Becker graduated from Plymouth State University of New Hampshire with a BS degree in Art education, concentrating in painting. She taught in public and private schools for over 25 years. She also earned a Master’s degree in Elementary education from Plattsburgh State University of New York. During this time, Becker also spent her summers at Silver Bay YMCA on Lake George in the Adirondack Mountains of New York assisting and then teaching the daily adult watercolor classes. In 2014, after leaving her teaching position in the public schools, Becker began to concentrate more of her time honing her skills in watercolor and oils by taking classes the York Art Association. She also teaches adults and teens at this association and exhibits regularly in their gallery. Becker’s work has been selected for several juried exhibitions in Pennsylvania as well as being shown in local art galleries in the York, Pennsylvania area and the Lake George region of New York.
"Art has been a major focus of my life since I was a young child. I love color and the natural transparency of watercolors. My watercolors capture nature’s beauty using color and light. I have recently rediscovered my love of oil painting. In watercolor, an artist works light to dark, but in oils the opposite applies. It can be a challenge at times! I enjoy exploring the different qualities and techniques that can be used with these mediums to create interesting paintings of nature in gardens as well as in landscapes. My paintings preserve memories of a time or place that is meaningful for me, and hopefully the viewer." -Kathy
SUSAN DARLING Susan Davitti Darling hails from Marietta, PA with a degree in Commercial Art from Millersville University and studies at Pennsylvania School of the Arts. Her education positioned her to take on numerous projects, such as creating greeting cards and calendar art and several label designs for a local winery. "My approach to painting and collage is playful. I work intuitively. Exploration and experimentation keep me company. Collage satisfies the collector in me. There is an endless source of materials to choose from. A smooth stone that I found on a walk, old library catalog cards, bottle caps and feathers join papers from discarded book pages to have a new life in my work. Reuse, recycle and reinvent are the words of the day. My inspiration comes from music, the rustling of fall leaves, poetry or the color of the evening sky. I am inspired by the company of friends and family, who love and support me. Making art provides me with Joy and Gladness. ART is the poetry of my world." ELICIA FRAZIER Elicia's professional goal is to educate art students in finding their inner voice; becoming thoughtful of what they hope to purposely create; exploring how they are making art; and understanding how it speaks to other art connoisseurs. Her mission and dream is to give breath to each student's inner artistic evolution. Elicia's personal belief is that on-going, personal exploration and learning helps to shape a student's artistic gift. Elicia's artistic pursuit is to continue studying color therapy and incorporate her understanding into color theory, to heal people through her artwork. She enjoys painting nature with it's many moods and concentrates on how light effects color and energy. Elicia hopes her artwork will speak to your soul on a deep level, to bring you peace, joy and serenity. She understands that color and subject matter can heal one's internal mind and spirit. Elicia continues to study realism, but like to incorporate some artistic vision to each piece of artwork. "To know that my artwork brought forward a smile, a peaceful heart or a connection to your higher spirit, makes me feel successful." -Elicia Elicia Frazier's art career began at Howard Community College where she received an Associates Degree. She was a scholarship recipient at the Maryland Institute College of Art and was showcased while painting abroad in Italy. Elicia received her Bachelor's in Fine Arts, and later, received a Master's in Art Teaching. She also received a National "Advanced Certification in Art Teaching K-12." Elicia furthered her art education and development at Zoll Studio, learning techniques and skills of the Old Masters. Elicia has studied a variety of art styles including diverse, and effective, teaching techniques. In addition, Elicia furthered her teaching knowledge as an assistant at Montessori Manor School, ages 2-13. She is also well-studied in all aspects of homeschooling philosophies, from "Classical" through "Unschooling." MICA Cum Laude Master's Graduate; Former Baltimore County Public School Teacher; now teaching at Zoll Studio School of Fine Art and York Art Association. Home-school Teacher; Multi-faceted Artist and "People's Choice" Award winner; Also recognized for Plein Air Painting in Howard County Times Magazine. Currently teaching students of all ages in all art aspects, including Portfolio Prep. EMILY FREY |
Bradley Gebhart is an award winning artist with art in galleries, museums and private collections around the world. Brad graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the College of William and Mary, studied graphic design at the Maryland College of Art and Design and began his Master’s degree at Arizona State University. He currently serves on the Board of the Art Association of Harrisburg, is the editorial cartoonist for The Central Voice and The Burg magazines and entertains and delights at events as a caricaturist.
VAN PAFCHEK
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Savannah “Van” Pafchek (b. 1997) received her Bachelor of Fine Arts at the Maryland Institute College of Art in 2020, where she studied drawing along with taking biology courses at Johns Hopkins University. In the studio, much of her time is spent drawing and studying the figure from life using graphite, charcoal and conté. Her figure drawings place emphasis on structural anatomy and using value to reveal complex forms. On the side, she explores methods of wildlife illustration, with a particular focus on regional bird species and their habitats.
IVY RODGERS
Ivy Rodgers is a fine artist, writer, and creative collaborator located in York, PA. She graduated from York College of Pennsylvania in 2018 with honors, receiving her B.A. in Fine Art with a minor in Art History. Throughout her time as a student, she worked as Gallery Assistant to Matthew Clay-Robison in the galleries on campus and at Marketview Arts. Upon graduating, she was an Artist in Residence at local community art organizations The Parliament and The Grotto Community Center. She has worked as a teaching artist, a program coordinator, and Director of Education for Creative York. For the past year, she has been self employed as a freelance artist and writer, working with diverse clients across the region. She paints murals, leads arts-based summer camps, educates people in artistic practices, and collaborates with organizations and businesses in the heart of York City. She is married to her best friend Sean, loves reading, and seeking out the best vegan food.
ANDI SIMPSON
Andi Simpson, lives in south central Pennsylvania, studied fine art/art history and graduated with a BFA from Frostburg State University.
Andi works with a variety of mediums, including acrylics, inks, and oils. She considers her art to be abstract. Her work exhibits an ethereal sense of warmth, light, and love but also elicits the sensitive chaos found in nature. Her paintings begin with a foundation comprised of multiple layers of color and a variety of textures. Building from that background she allows intuition to guide her. Defined shapes and forms present themselves organically as the piece progresses. She does not intend her work to espouse a specific message or extract a uniform reaction. Instead, she hopes to deliver a perpetually novel experience to each viewer, evoking unique visceral responses.
She created andiann studio to bring her art into the creative wedding realm and to broaden her reach beyond local and regional markets to clients’ homes across the country.
KATRIEL SREBNIK
“My goal is to distill an image or experience into its essence and express this vision in the most eloquent, painterly terms—elevating it into the realm of the poetic.”
Katriel Srebnik’s artwork has earned 41 national awards, including a Silver Medal and five Awards of Excellence from the Oil Painters of America; the President’s Award from the American Impressionist Society; First Place from the American Tonalist Society, Best of Show from the Academic Artists Association and Texas Art Museum; First Place from the National Society of Artists and Hilton Head Art League; has appeared in American Artist, American Art Collector, American Art Review, Art & Antiques, Art Business News, The Art Guide, The Artist, Art of the West, Art World News, Carrie Leigh’s Nude, International Artist and Southwest Art magazines; in nearly 80 national juried shows; 8 museum exhibitions including the International Guild of Realism’s “Master Works Museum Tour; in galleries throughout the United States, in London and France; and his own galleries in Santa Fe and Charleston.
Interpreting figures, interiors and European scenes with light, atmosphere and expressive brushwork to evoke a mood and ambience, Srebnik creates his unique style, combining the spontaneity and immediacy of impressionism, the visual reality of painterly naturalism, and the poetic subtlety of tonalism.
Srebnik has conducted classes and workshops at his own art school, and art workshops at over thirty art schools, colleges and other venues; plus his “Artist’s Viewpoint” museum and gallery tours in the U.S. and France; and seminars on marketing artwork.
As an anatomy instructor, former principal dancer and ballet instructor, musician, and having lived in France, Srebnik brings a unique understanding to his figures, dancers and European street scenes, and imbues them with a visual harmony and musicality.
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KIM STONE
Kim Stone’s 45-year career as a graphic designer and illustrator started out in advertising in Wilmington, DE, and eventually moved to publication with the PHMC, as art director of Pennsylvania Heritage Magazine. She attended Wesley College as an Education major and graduated from York Academy of Art, majoring in Illustration. Kim also studied under Richard McKinley, Liz Haywood-Sullivan and Tony Allain. Kim is a past instructor in portraiture and pastel painting at the Art Association of Harrisburg. She is past president of the Maryland Pastel Society, a member of the Pastel Society of America, the Philadelphia Pastel Society and the Susquehanna Plein Air Painters. Kim presently teaches drawing workshops at Carlisle Arts Learning Center, Carlisle. Her work is represented at the Village Artisans gallery in Boiling Springs, PA.
"Drawing was my first love in graphite and charcoal. When I discovered soft pastels in art school, I
fell in love with the ability to draw with them. Later, I learned how to paint with the medium. I'm pleased with the variety of brands, versatility and pure rich color." -Kim
Visit her website at: kimlackeystone.com
DEB WATSON
Deb Watson is a self-taught artist. Although she displayed an early talent at art, her parents discouraged it. She spent her adult life working as nurse and raising a family, but continued to paint in her spare time. As her work began winning awards and selling, Deb quit nursing to become a full time artist and teacher.
Now, her paintings have been exhibited throughout the U.S. in major art competitions and museums. Deb's watercolors have been published in national magazines and she's a recognized teacher, with how to paint books and a Craftsy class on Pet Portraits. After a bout with cancer, Deb became serious about creating her best work. She added oil painting as a medium, and began a new series of western art.
ANITA WILLIAMS
Anita Williams grew up in on the New Jersey shore. She met her husband while living as a young adult in Philadelphia and moved to York County in 1984. She earned her Bachelors in Art Education at Millersville University. Anita taught Art at Spring Grove Area School District for 15 years. While teaching, Anita earned an M.S. in Education from Wilkes University and an MFA in Visual Arts from Wilson College in 2017.
Anita retired from public school teaching in 2019 and has been painting in her studio above the Handsome Cab restaurant in York. She currently teaches painting at the York Art Association and the Adams County Arts Council.
Anita has participated in many juried exhibitions and won several awards. In 2020 she won an “Award of Excellence” for the Healing Power of Art from Manhattan Arts International. She also won “Best of Show” at the Yorkfest Adult Juried Exhibition.
"I have always found inspiration in nature, movement and color. Whether it is in the trees, flowers, waterways or twisting vines, I hope to transfer that magic and beauty to my audience through my paintings." -Anita
ROBERT DALE WILLIAMS
Robert Dale Williams is a graduate of the New York Academy of Art Graduate School of Figurative Art. Upon completion of his MFA degree at the Academy, he furthered his studies under the internationally recognized Norwegian painter Odd Nerdrum. Since 2005, he has provided drawing, painting, and anatomy instruction at five art centers, and authored two feature articles on oil painting techniques for International Artist Magazine. Featured in collections worldwide, he has exhibited in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Great Britain, Germany, Spain, and Norway.
JANE WOLFGANG
As a life-long creative, Jane is dedicated to empowering people of all ages to embrace their own creativity through workshops and classes. After a simultaneous and successful career of both serving as a public school art educator and raising a family, Jane now takes advantage of this semi-retired stage of life. Her teacher-heart also recognizes the benefit of sitting in a student’s chair every once in a while, where she is constantly sharpening her craft by incorporating fresh, new perspectives and embracing the sweet learning moments along the way.
Cold wax, acrylics and mixed media have always been a passion for Jane. As well, she recently picked up a palette knife and transitioned into working with oils when painting ‘en plein air’, where she developed a fascination with the freedom of texture and vibrant use of color. This artistic shift led her to see through a more impressionistic lens – focusing less on the details and more on the big picture, leaving it up to the viewer’s imagination to complete the beautiful story in front of them.
BS in Art Education from Kutztown University, Masters in Education from Wilkes University, Public School Art Teacher – 19 years, Art Instructor at Cary Arts Center – 5 years, 30 + Professional credits, Represented by Apex Gallery and Framing – Downtown Apex, NC, Member of Apex Public Art Committee - 3 years
LYNNE YANCHA
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Lynne Yancha A.W.S. has received national recognition for her luminous watercolors: beautiful paintings of children, animals, still-life, and landscapes. Yancha’s sensitivity to her subjects, superb drawing, painting, and timeless realism is captivating.
Lynne resides in Mifflinburg, PA and has been conducting watercolor workshops at YAA for years. Her three day workshops are always well attended, inspirational and a good time.
"I always begin my work with musings. I am not sure that the work is so different from years past… what I am sure of is that I am different. I use the same techniques as always in a layered, lost and found way. My media continues to be mixed: watercolor, white acrylic, ink, lead and colored pencils. I like contrast, edge-to-edge interest, and a story: yours and mine. Mostly, I am absolutely in love with the mystery of inspiration and how it affects the process. I have a painting that is entirely different from the image with which I began. It tells its own story!" - Lynne