Arts Instructors' Bios

Maureen Amaturo (writing, mixed media) has 25 years of experience as a professional writer and layout/ad/package designer in the fashion and beauty industry. Also, she has had short stories, articles and poetry published in national poetry anthologies, Good Housekeeping, Vogue, Glamour & Harper’s Bazaar magazines to name a few. Maureen works with children and adults to encourage freedom and confidence in expressing themselves creatively, discover their imagination, sharpen verbal and written language skills, and build their ability to invent and develop ideas. She is currently working on several novels, both fiction and non-fiction, for children and the general market.

Laura Smith Anechiarico (cartooning, illustration, life drawing) studied art, biology and medical illustration at Baylor University and University of Texas at Austin. She studied life drawing at the Edward Hopper House in Nyack and the Reilly League in White Plains. She also studied landscape painting at the Art Student League’s Vytlacil School of plein-air painting under a variety of instructors so as to be fluent in many styles & techniques. Her artistic philosophy was most influenced by studying under Knox Martin at the ASL and the Master classes at the Met. Laura is currently pursuing her Master’s in Art Education at Manhattanville College.

Shana Capozza

Ismael Checo (drawing/painting) studied at the The National Academy of Fine Arts in Santa Domingo and later at The Art Students League of NY with David Leffer & John H. Sander as well as with Nelson Shanks. In 1989 he had an internship on Nelson Shanks recommendation at The Grassi Fine Art Conservation studio where he was trained in painting conservation and restoration. He teaches in his studio in Astoria, NY and since 1998 at The Arts Students League of NY as a teaching associate for the Nelson Shanks’ class.

Anne Curtis (clay) began working in clay at Kansas City Art Institute. She received her B.F.A. in Ceramics from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. During that time she also participated in a ceramic tour of Korea, Japan, and The People's Republic of China. As an artist in residence for the Art Alliance of Central Pennsylvania, her work in porcelain included both custom dinnerware and wall pieces. Her work in ceramics has been exhibited in galleries throughout the East Coast.

Larry D'Amico (painting) received his B.F.A. from SUNY Purchase. His work has been shown extensively throughout the New York metropolitan area and across the United States over the last 20 years. He has taught painting, drawing, and sculpture at all age levels through the Westchester Arts Council and Silvermine Artists Guild.

Vincent Davis (cartooning) is a freelance cartoonist, illustrator, musican and audio engineer. He attended NYU and CMA in NYC, majored in Illustration and Audio Engineering and holds a degree in both. He is the author of his own cartooning instructional book entitled, Mr. Davis’ Cartooning Lessons-One Through Ten and he also designs retro pop culture t-shirts.

Daniel DeNapoli (drawing/painting) - At 18 he won the prestigious 'Alexander Medal', along with a fine Arts Diploma and a scholarship. He then attended The School of Visual Arts, N.Y.C., earned a BFA. He also studied at The Arts Students League of New York City with such renown artists as Anita Steckell, Ephrain Rubinstein, Jack Aragasso. Daniel won many competitions in the U.S.A. and Europe. The Kean Masson Gallery on West 57th Street exhibited his paintings in several group shows in the 80's.

Elizabeth Derderian (painting) - Elizabeth B. Derderian earned her B.A. in art history from Barnard College, and her MBA in marketing from NYU. Her work was featured in the June 2010 issue of The American Artist Magazine, and can be seen locally on the cover of the March 2010 Rye Chamber of Commerce Visitor’s Map, the postcards of the Pearl Restaurant Group, and the walls of On the Way Café, Ruby's, and Sotheby's. She gained acceptance the past 3 years into the Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club National Annual Exhibitions, and she has won top awards in the 2 most recent exhibitions. Her work has also been accepted 2 years consecutively in the annual exhibitions of the National Society of Painters in Casein and Acrylic. She has had 7 solo exhibitions, and is slated for one in the Rye Free Reading Room in April/May 2011. She thoroughly enjoys teaching and sharing her joy and skill of painting with her students.

David Dunn (recorder, clarinet, flute, saxophone, media arts) received his MM from Rutgers University and his BM from The Hart School of Music. He joins our faculty with many years of experience having taught at The Fieldston School, Sylvan Academy of Music, Church Street School and the Rutgers Community Music Program. His performance credits include solo clarinetist with the Manhattan Chamber Orchestra, The New Jersey Pops, Society for Chromatic Art and New Vienna Chamber Ensemble. He is also a member and founder of the Artemis Chamber Ensemble.

Ann Ladd Ferencz (drawing/painting,murals) spent her childhood in Europe and South East Asia where she learned to appreciate all forms of art, culture & history. Anne has painted murals and been a decorative artist in the NY area for the past 25 years. Her murals can be seen at the Neuberger Museum of Art, The Rye Synagogue, The Children’s Rehab Center in White Plains and in private homes throughout the East Coast. Anne has taught art to all ages and encourages her students to experiment with different materials so they can find a style that expresses their interest and personality.

Flo Flaxman (jewelry design) became fascinated with the beauty of gemstones while working as a Fine Jewelry Buyer in CA. In addition to purchasing collections for a specialty store chain, she collaborated closely with professional designers to create exclusive pieces for its customers. Flo has studied art and design in many mediums including jewelry (Gemological Institute of America), pottery (New School), textiles (French Fashion Academy and Watercolor painting (RAC). While raising her children she turned her love of pottery into a business teaching adult and children’s classes as well as exhibiting her work in Northern CA.

Helen Graham Gurny (metal/wire sculpture) received her M.A. in Art Education from the College of New Rochelle and is currently an art teacher in the NYC Public Schools. Her post-graduate work included welding & jewelry education at CNR, SUNY Purchase, Silvermine School of Art, Westchester Community College, Brookfield Craft Center & Urban Glass. Her metal sculpture workshops introduce students to tools and techniques in a safe, supportive environment that fosters creativity. Helen works with various populations and wants her passion and enthusiasm for art to be contagious to all.

Roger C. Hendricks (painting, environmental art) holds a B.F.A> from the Cleveland Institute of Art and a M.F.A. from Ohio State University. He has taught Fine Arts courses at the undergraduate and graduate level at Purdue University, The Chicago Art Institute, Purchase College and Westchester Community College. He has developed an outstanding exhibition record in galleries and museums, both nationally and abroad. His work has been featured in The New York Times. Print in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Brigitte Loritz (watercolor) was born and educated in Switzerland. In the U.S. she attended the Parsons School of Design, as well as studying with such prominent watercolorists as Ed Whitney, Jane Carlson, Arne Lindmark and Diane Faxon. Brigitte is Artist-in-Residence for the Port Chester Council for the Arts and teaches in the Port Chester Public Schools in their Arts in Education Program. She is former Art Director for the American Yacht Club Summer Camp and teaches art activities in several Westchester schools. Her award-winning watercolors have been exhibited here and abroad, and she is particularly well known in the community for her paintings of homes and historical sites.

Jerry Lucido (Digital Photography and Adobe Photoshop) - Jerry brings 35 years of photography experience to the Rye Arts Center. When our digital arts lab opened, Jerry was one of our original instructors. He brings a blend of 20 years of Traditional Darkroom knowledge with another 15 years of digital photography. Adults to 8 year olds have enjoyed Jerry’s Rye Arts Classes. He not only teaches, but practices the art of photography - commercial and fine art image making.

Mardie Luppold (drawing/painting/printmaking) graduated with an MA/MFAA from the University of MA where she specialized in printmaking and painting as well as a MA and BA in Philosophy and English from Boston University. In addition to her many years of teaching, she has shown her award winning work extensively in both solo and group exhibitions throughout the United States.

Gary Mack (decorative arts, mixed media) attended art school at Syracuse University as well as the Isabel O’Neill Studio for several years before launching his own decorative arts business in Port Chester, NY. Gary has taught the basics of painting finishes and his keen artistic insight, creativity as well as his enthusiasm, results in a unique connection with adults & children.

Didi McKay (drawing,painting,mixed media) earned her BA in Art History from the University of Denver. She has studied at the School of Visual Arts and at the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC and at SUNY Purchase. She is currently a Museum Educator at Stepping Stones Museum for Children in CT where she teaches and develops programs. A journalist and photo stylist formerly with Fairchild Publications/ABC, Inc. Didi has taught after school art & writing in numerous area schools. She has had Art Residencies with the Hudson River Museum, The Westchester Philharmonic and Osborn Elementary School. She also enjoys charcoal portraiture as well as abstract painting and mixed media.

Mari Ogihara (ceramics) is a ceramic sculptor based out of Port Chester, NY. After receiving her MFA from Tyler School of Art of Temple University in 2006, she was awarded a year long residency at the Clay Art Center in New York. Currently, Ogihara is a ceramic instructor at Silvermine School of Art in New Canaan, CT and at the Clay Art Center. Her work can be viewed in regional and national exhibitions, and she continues to develop a body of work inspired by female ornamentation and rituals.

Marilyn Rabetz

Walter Rabetz

Sarah Rinaldi

Caren Sacks (mixed media) has worked for many years with young children and their parents in a variety of settings. She holds a Masters Degree in Art Therapy. A licensed Board Certified Art Therapist, she presently teaches at The College of New Rochelle. Caren has a private practice working with children and parents in Rye, NY.

Laurie Schorr

Leslye Smith (photography) received her B.A. in Art History from Manhattanville College. She has been a professional advertising photographer for over 15 years, and started her own commercial studio and in 2003 Leslye went solo and established Studio Smith. She has also taught at Manhattanville College and Greenwich Continuing Ed.

Jeannie Thomma

Sone Tower (drawing/painting/muralist,mixed media) received her B.F.A. from Purchase College S.U.N.Y. and M.S. from the College of New Rochelle. She is a certified art teacher who has taught art to all ages in the Port Chester Public Schools, Silvermine School of Art and in CT public and private schools. She has completed many collaborative mural projects & residencies in schools & public spaces throughout Westchester & Rockland County working as an Artist in Residence for the WAC and Neuberger Museum of Art.

Aleksandra Winters is a multimedia artist who was born and educated in Poland. She earned her BFA in Visual Arts at SUNY Purchase and MAT Masters of Arts in Teaching at Manhattanville College. Currently she is teaching art at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School in Elmsford and St. Anthony of Padua School in West Harrison. She is a certificated art teacher in New York State. Aleksandra uses a multicultural approach to her artwork, but especially loves making books and short movies for children based on traditional Polish folk art.

Kathleen H. Wood (clay) received her B.F.A. from the College of New Rochelle and is certified to teach art in New York State. She has completed her M.S. in Early Childhood Education also at The College of New Rochelle. She studied with Marilyn Dintenfass and Judith Weber in New Rochelle and wood builder John Forbes in upstate New York. Kathy teaches art at Resurrection School in Rye, NY. Her work is in private collections throughout New York and Washington, DC.

Nicole Zahour