Craig Birch

Craig Birch was raised in a rural setting in southeastern Idaho. He attended and graduated from Ricks College and worked as an illustrator and graphic artist for a national wedding invitation and personalized stationery company. He was later senior artist and assistant art director for an expansive diet franchise corporation. In 1984 Craig decided to obtain his BFA and relocated to San Francisco where he attended the Academy of Art College, one of the finest professional art schools on the west coast. During his tenure there he also received numerous commissions for portraits and did free-lance illustration for Oates Studios, a local talent shop whose clients include Macy’s and Saks Fifth Avenue. After graduating, Craig moved his family back to Idaho to enjoy the slower pace of life for his children to grow up in. During his residence in Idaho Falls he pursued painting full time, occasionally traveling to paint on location. He illustrated for local and national publishers. He has been invited to show at previous Charlie Russell Museum Auction and Shows in Great Falls, Montana. Craig and his family currently reside in the Phoenix metropolitan area, where Craig is represented in Mesa by Mesa Art & Frame Gallery.

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Susan Falcon-Hargraves

Susan Falcon-Hargraves studied briefly at the School of Visual Arts in New York City, and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Art from Prescott College in Arizona. In one previous incarnation she danced professionally, both in New York and Los Angeles; in another she worked as an actress in LA, winning a few small film roles and theater awards before moving to the peaceful Sonoran desert foothills outside of Phoenix. She teaches at the Brio Fine Arts Center in North Scottsdale.

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Linda Haas

Linda Haas taught secondary school mathematics in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, before relocating to Arizona. Her love of art started as a child when she took weekly classes at the Cleveland Museum of Art. The move to a new state inspired her to begin a new career. Linda studied art at Arizona State University, Arizona Artists’ School, Glendale Community College, Paradise Valley Community College, as well as taking many workshops locally, nationally, and internationally. She has won numerous awards for her work, and is a juried member of the Arizona Print Group, the Arizona Artists’ Guild, and the Arizona Art Alliance. She currently serves as the financial chairperson for the Arizona Print Group and has been serving for several years as co-chairperson for the scholarship committee of the Arizona Artists’ Guild. Her work can also be seen at Pennello Gallery in Cleveland, Ohio.

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Carol Jenna

Carol Jenna received her BFA degree from the University of Hawaii with a discipline in printmaking. She has worked at the Ruth Leaf Studios and the Bob Blackburn Printmaking Workshop, both in New York, New York. She is a founding member of the Arizona Print Group. She states: “As subject matter, I like to examine our relationships with one another where life’s full meaning becomes clear. The pace of life today moves at quantum leaps but a rich conversation with another human being inches along, paving its own path, adjusting as it progresses.”

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Dana Jonas

Dana was an aid at BRIO last summer and is returning this summer as an instructor for the 5-7 year old group. She is currently attending school at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff majoring in Photography and Psychology with an emphasis on children.

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Liz Kenyon

Soft edges and brilliant colors are why I paint with soft pastels. My earlier work in commercial illustration, including fifteen years as a book cover artist, taught me how to convey a theme to the viewer. Now my work is more personal and evokes a snapshot of familiar places and subjects. I consistently look for a strong edge of light hitting the surface and a 'well/thought out' composition that keeps your eye in the picture. In my eight years of working in pastel, I have received over 30 awards from juried shows; I have had seven one woman shows and presented workshops on the use of pastels; I am a Signature Member of the Pastel Society; and my work is highlighted in two Northlight Books, Pure Color; the Best of Pastel '06 and Finding Your Visual Voice '07. Born in California, I am from a small rural town called Watsonville. In the sixties I moved to Tucson to attend the University of Arizona. Although it wasn't famous for it's art curriculum, ali I needed was the encouragement of a couple of instructors to start me on my path. I began my career as a freelance illustrator creating ads for head shops off campus. In the years following school I did everything; design studios, owning my own advertising agency, my own publishing firm and my own illustration business. Among my national clients were Post Cereals, Disney Studios, and Motorola. Since the 1990's I have illustrated book covers for Harper Collins in New York, and when I wasn't working on assignments I learned to paint with soft pastels. I now consider myself exclusively a fine art pastelist. I live full time in Phoenix. I welcome commissions and I'm available for teaching workshops. www.lizkenyon.com

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Karen Leeds

Karen Leeds is a painter, focusing primarily on vivid abstract imagery to convey complex emotions and feelings. Her mediums include acrylic, oil pastel, and French dyes on silk. In her own words: "I use painting to explore and express; it's where I lose myself, but find my way." Karen is a juried member of the Sonoran Arts League,as well as the Oil Pastel Society. The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art recently included a visit to Karen's studio during their 2006 Working Artist's Studio Tour, and in 2003, Karen won the "Emerging Artist" competition sponsored by the Scottsdale Gallery Association and Tribune. This resulted in her first solo show. Since that time she has received other honors and been included in several juried exhibitions, including the last three seasons of the AZ Fine Arts Expo. She has many patrons throughout the United States and Canada. www.karenleeds.com

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Cindy Leverton

Cindy Leverton is a professional artist who has been with BRIO Fine Arts Center for four years teaching BRIO’s After School program, Summer Club BRIO, and Mixed Media classes. Students learn the elements and principles of art making; in addition, learn to use mixed media supplies to express ideas. Sculpture methods are included in the children’s lesson objectives. NEW! Artists interested in Internet exposure will be able to take part in the Member’s Gallery course beginning in September. Seating is limited so register today. Please email any questions to art_finesse1@hotmail.com. Thanks.

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Matt Mays

Matt Mays was born in Sydney, Australia and grew up on a tobacco farm in Appomattox, Va. He received a BFA in Illinois and has studied at The Art Students League in NYC. He worked for many years as a studio assistant to a pupil of artist Hans Hofmann. His work is owned by all types of folks, including legend Willie Nelson,West Coast Choppers Jesse James, The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Google. He is 2007's recipient of the Professional Development Grant from the Arizona Commission of the Arts. He lives, works and plays in Old Town Scottsdale,AZ.

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Roger Merritt

Originally from Texas, Roger Merritt moved with his family to Caracas, Venezuela in 1956 and began painting under the tutelage of the famous mural painter, Pedro Centena. Merritt was influenced by the brilliant colors predominant in South American culture which etched a lasting impression that is still evident in his work today. Merritt received his Masters of Fine Arts degree in Art & Painting/Art Education from the prestigious New York University. After graduating, Merritt became one of the early Soho Pioneers in the 1970's. He was greatly influenced by his neighbor and mentor, Chuck Close as well as many other famous New York artists with whom he had friendships, including: Don Eddy, John Bader, Andy Warhol, James Rosenquist, Robert Rauschenberg, Charles Ross, Ivan Karp, the owner of the O.K. Harris Gallery and many others. Merritt's career in New York City spans a 23 year period as an artist, graphic artist, illustrator, photographer and art director. He has worked in advertising on Madison Avenue on national ad campaigns, as well as in the motion picture industry. The scope of Merritt's work extends from murals, commissioned paintings for "upper tier" residences, private gallery showings, sculpture, painting, and landscape design. Whether influenced by Western design, Tropical scapes, Tuscan motifs or things of a personal nature, the atmosphere changes into something that stirs the soul.

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Marg Nelssen

Marg is a certified teacher and K-12 Visual Arts Instructor and holds a Bachelor of Architecture from ASU and a Post Baccalaureate from Rio Salado in education. She has taught art for the Cave Creek Unified School District at both Elementary and Secondary levels, and is now a full time professional artist working in Mosaics, Oils, Mixed Media and Wire. Marg’s artwork often reflects the joy she finds and shares at ‘Redbird Ranch’ with her husband, two teens, four mules, one horse and three busy dogs. These companions often become subjects for drawings and paintings, and the baling wire from hay is recycled to create Mixed Media folk art with an Arizona twist. Marg enjoys sharing her passion for art with all ages through private instruction in mosaics, drawing and painting, and has also taught Club BRIO for children and BRIO mosaic workshops for adults. Marg is represented by Adelante Gallery in Scottsdale. Life is short! Eat ART first!

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Oriana Parker

Focusing on art in Arizona for the last decade, Oriana Parker writes for a wide range of local, regional and national publications including The Arizona Republic and ArtNews. Combining a background as an award-winning East Coast advertising creative director and copywriter with art-oriented editorial expertise, she can help you create tasteful-and-attention-getting writing ranging from artist’s statements to press kits to website text. Oriana received a B.A. from the University of Chicago and an M.A. from the American University of Washington D.C.

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Jancy Pettit

Jancy Pettit is a professional artist and energy practitioner from Topeka, Kansas with a BFA from Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas with extended additional studio study from Washburn University, Topeka, Kansas; and the University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas. Her experience as an artist has also opened her to meditation and an interest in chi, or universal energy and energy healing. She has spent the last 15 years studying and teaching energy modalities and how it relates to creativity and our health and well-being. She uses chi to create her own artwork and assist with individuals’ personal healing process. This workshop will combine energy work, movement, sound, and artwork to free-up more energy for more creativity and greater health. It is fun and freeing….expanding and centering…all at the same time!

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Dick Phillips

Dick Phillips is a full-time, professional artist with over 35 years teaching experience. His work has received major awards in numerous national and regional juried shows. He is affiliated with galleries in several states and has had 40 solo exhibitions. Publications include The Best of Watercolor 2, Rockport Publishers; Painting from the Inside Out and Freshen Your Paintings with New Ideas, Northsight; Faces if Arizona, Art Renaissance Foundtion; "International Artist Magazine", Oct. - Nov. 1998 issue and Aug. - Sept. 2003; "Watercolor Magic", April 2004 issue. Dick studied watercolor with California artists Robert E. Wood and Milford Zornes. He is a juried member of the AZ Watercolor Assoc., a signature member of the National Watercolor Society, Watercolor West and the Southwest Watercolor Society. He is listed in "Who's Who in American Art." www.artistsregister.com

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Nancy Reyner

Nancy Reyner is a painter of more than 30 years experience who exhibits, lectures and teaches locally and nationally. Her new book titled "Acrylic Revolution: New Tricks & Techniques for Working with the World's Most Versatile Medium", published by North Light Books will be available Spring 2007. Home & Garden's TV show "That's Clever" will feature Nancy and her work on HGTV in June 2006. Nancy's varied experiences add technical expertise and originality to her work. While living in New York City she created costumes and sets for Broadway and off-Broadway theater and film (including a Madonna film), coordinated public arts programs for the State of New York, and directed and performed with the Ragabash Puppet Theater. Nancy was selected for a two year painting and drawing residency for the Phoenix Center in Arizona. There she exhibited her work, curated shows, taught drawing and painting, and created new works. Her expertise has led to a position as technical consultant for the acrylic paint company Golden Artist Colors, Inc. Nancy holds a BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design and an MFA from Columbia University. She lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico and is represented by Lynne Fine Art in Scottsdale, AZ; ArtReach in Albuquerque, NM, and InArt Santa Fe Gallery in Santa Fe, NM. Please visit her website www.nancyreyner.com.

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Carol Ruff Franza

Born in New Orleans and reared in southern states including Mississippi, Tennessee and Georgia, the imprint of those childhood years spent in the south, seasons much of the artwork and life of Carol Ruff Franza. Carol attended Ringling School of Art in Sarasota, Florida. Carol continued studies at The Atlanta School of Art and Callanwolde. In adulthood Carol has lived in Illinois, New York, Virginia, California, Georgia, Arizona and Washington, before returning to Scottsdale, AZ. Exposure to many art forms was gained with international travel throughout Europe. During her three years in Scottsdale, Carol fell in love with sculpting. She studied at Scottsdale Artist School and Loveland Academy in Loveland Colorado. She studied figure, bas relief and portrait with Italian Master Bruno Lucchesi, Paul Lucchesi, Stanley Bleifeild, Lincoln Fox, Eugene Daub, Tuck Langland, John Coleman, Susan Henningson, Rosalyn Cook and Richard MacDonald. In 2003, Carol created a portrait bust of Governor Sonny Perdue, the first Republican to fill the office of Governor in Georgia since the reconstruction. This work is located inside the Governors Mansion in Atlanta. The artist was commissioned to create a monument to mark the decade anniversary of Desert Mountain High School. This bronze sculpture stands proudly between the Palomino Library and Desert Mountain High School on Via Linda in Scottsdale, Arizona. In 2005 Southwest Art Magazine named Carol as an Artist to Watch in the annual Sculpture edition. The sculptor now resides in Scottsdale where she continues her passionate work, creating classical bronze forms and oil paintings filled with energy, grace, and spirit.

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Diane Sanborn

Diane Sanborn received her MA in Fine Arts in 1980 from Governors State University, Park Forest, IL. In 1972, she completed her BS Art Ed., Illinois State University, Normal, IL and in 1970, an Associates degree in University Transfer Studies, Triton College, River Grove, IL. Her professional experience includes: 2003 – present, Owner and Director of BRIO Fine Arts Center, Scottsdale, AZ, 1998 -2003, Adjunct Instructor of Drawing, Painting and Art History Paradise Valley Community College, Phoenix, AZ and 1972 - 1988- Adjunct Instructor of Art, Triton Community College. Her work has been included in many exhibits including EXHIBITIONS 2006 Gallery 57, Highwood, IL 2006 Ox-Bow Summer Art Exhibit School of the Art Institute, Saugatuck, MI 2006 Painted Desert, City of Phoenix 2006 47th Annual, Glendale Arts Council, Glendale, AZ Purchase Award 2005 BRIO Fine Arts Center, Scottsdale, AZ From the Ground Up Series 2004 “The Home” Shemer Art Center, Phoenix, AZ 2003-4 Salon Exhibit, Mesa Arts Center, Mesa, AZ 2002 One-Woman Exhibit, McDowell Center, Scottsdale, AZ 2002 Faculty Show Paradise Valley Community College, Phoenix, AZ 2001 Invitational Finalist Coutts Memorial Museum, El Dorado. KS 1982 The Washington Street Mercantile and Coffee House, Oregon, IL 1980 Governors State University, Graduate Exhibition of Work, Park Forest, IL 1981 Triton College, One-Woman Show, River Grove, IL 1979 Grand Detour Fine Arts Show, Dixon, IL 1974 Invitational Opening of Triton Fine Art Gallery, River Grove, IL Diane’s gallery page on www.caconline.org

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Pat Scheurich

“I use printed papers, handmade stamps and found materials to illustrate the connection between the natural world and the human need to express that relationship. The application of acrylic paints, mediums and metal leaf further connects these interconnected shapes and designs - bringing some images forward and sending some back into the picture plane.” Pat has a BFA from Northern Arizona University and is currently teaching at Brio Fine Arts Center. She has taught at Shemer Art Center, Washington Adult Center and Pima Community College. She has held workshops at Paradise Valley Community College and several Art Guilds in Arizona

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Brandon Seil

Instructor: Brandon Seil began his study of piano at the age of 5 years old. His mother, a successful piano teacher for over twenty years, was his personal instructor. At the age of seven, Brandon started attending summer Suzuki Piano Workshops. He continued on to travel around the country for extensive piano performance and teacher training with the founder of the Suzuki Piano method, Dr. Haruko Kataoka. In 1999, Brandon performed in Japan for his first International 10 Piano Concert. He was one of the only American students to be selected for this performance. In 2002, Brandon decided to further his study of Suzuki Piano, moving to Japan for three months to study exclusively with Dr. Kataoka in her studio. This education encouraged him to return again in 2003. Brandon has traveled to Japan over five times for 10 Piano Concerts and study. Brandon has been teaching for over seven years. He has gained great knowledge in piano teaching through his years of study in Japan with Dr. Kataoka and with training from other master Suzuki instructors. Currently, Brandon is an active member of the Suzuki Piano group in Arizona, while he teaches many students along with training other teachers.

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Brandon & Vicki Seil

See individual bios on the instructor page.

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Vicki Seil

Vicki Seil received a Bachelor of Music degree in 1980 from Elmhurst College in Illinois where she studied piano pedagogy and music education. Since 1984 she has maintained a private studio in Gilbert, AZ.She has had extensive Suzuki training with Dr. Haruko Kataoka, co-founder of the Suzuki Piano Method, every year for 3 to 4 weeks since 1990 until Kataoka Sensei's passing in 2004. Vicki and her son Brandon have received more training from Dr. Kataoka than anyone in the state of Arizona. Vicki has also had Suzuki training at various workshops, Institutes and conferences every year since 1982. From 1999 to 2003 Vicki and a few of her students traveled to Matsumoto, Japan every 18 months for 2 1/2 weeks to study and participate in the 10 Piano Concert. Vicki and her students also participated in the first and subsequent 10 Piano Concerts held in the U.S. in Sacramento, CA. In September 2002, Vicki went to Matsumoto, Japan for three weeks to study with Dr. Kataoka and observe her teaching. Vicki returned to Japan in 2004 for more intensive study. For the last 22 years she has been an active member in the piano chapter of Valley of the Sun Suzuki Association and the Desert Valley Music Teachers Association. Vicki is the President of Suzuki Piano of Arizona, formerly VSSA piano chapter. She is a member of Suzuki Association of the Americas and Piano Basics Foundation, which is a worldwide foundation dedicated to following the teaching of Dr. Haruko Kataoka.

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Josie Taglienti

Josie Taglienti has exhibited internationally with work in private and corporate collections, including: Minneapolis Institute of Art; New York: Mt.Sinai Hospital, Long Island Traveling; Chicago: Collins, Miller, Hutchins, Brudno’s Art, Ray Kujansen, A.S.I.D.; Honolulu: Hitch & Assoc.; San Diego: Enchantment Tiles; Mexico: Instituto Allende. EDUCATION: Minneapolis College of Art & Design, Mankato State College, Kansas City Art Institute , Instituto Allende, Universidad de Guanajuato, MFA Painting Assistantship scholarship. ONE WOMAN EXHIBITIONS: Mexico: Galeria Condor, Chicago: Natalini, Scottsdale: Artisimo. Ms. Taglienti is a member of the adjunct faculty at Paradise Valley Community College, and facilitates the PVCC Mural Team, to foster contributive interaction with the community. Josephine Marlene Tagliente, is listed in Marquis Who’s Who Of American Women-from1995, Who’s Who In America - from 2003, Who’s Who In World-from 2001, Dictionary of International Biography, 25th edition Taglienti’s academic training in drawing and painting provides a basis for her thought process. She is a descendant of the 16th century scribe and master calligrapher, Giovannantonio Tagliente. View her work at www.fineartregistry.com/portfolio/taglienti

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Danica Terzic

Danica Terzic is a professional violinist in the valley with experience as both a chamber and orchestral musician. Trained at the School of Music in Dubrovnik, Croatia where she received her Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from Zagreb University, Ms. Terzic has recently graduated from Arizona State University with a Master of Music in Violin Performance/Pedagogy. Currently a member of Musica Nova in Scottsdale, Ms. Terzic has held positions in the Peninsula Symphony in the San Francisco Bay Area, the Vancouver Chamber Players in Vancouver, Canada, and the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Ms. Terzic has over fifteen years of teaching experience at all levels from beginner to advanced, preparing her students for performances and exams. During her studies at ASU, Ms. Terzic was violin instructor for the ASU String Project. She has also taught at the Crestmont Conservatory of Music in the San Francisco Bay Area, the North Shore Music Academy in Vancouver, Canada, and the School of Music in Dubrovnik, Croatia.

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Joan C. Thompson

Joan C. Thompson has an MFA in painting and printmaking from Drake University and an MA in art history from University of Chicago. She has taught International Baccalaureate Art in high school, art and art history in community colleges for the past 35 years. Her painting and printmaking has been exhibited and collected nationally in both private and public collections. Both process and artistic expression are key elements in my work. I enjoy the challenge of figurative work especially, in all media.

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David Tooker

A third generation Arizonan, Tooker attended the Art Students League and National Academy of Design in New York City. Collections curator for the City of Scottsdale, director for numerous prestigious Scottsdale art galleries, he recently served as Executive Director of the West Valley Art Museum.

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Audrey Van Kirk

Audrey Van Kirk received her MFA, Painting from the University of Maryland and her BFA in Printmaking from Webster College in Webster Groves, Missouri. Her teaching experience includes St Andrew's, Maryland, and the University of Maryland. She has prepared drawings for the National Human Genome Research Institute. She has shown work in Maryland, Illinois and Missouri.

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Sharon Weiser

A native of Wisconsin, Sharon received her BFA and K-12 teaching certificate from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire in 1977. Before moving to Phoenix in 1992, she taught 2 years in the Art and Design Department at the University of Wisconsin – Stout. For the past 25 years she has conducted classes and workshops in Wisconsin, Arizona and New Mexico. Sharon’s diligent attention to detail, bold use of color, versatility of subject and mature sense of design, have won her many awards, including those from the American Artist and The Artist's magazines. Room Art and Public Space Art are among the many commercial interior design projects that she has completed. Clients include Ramada Inn, Quality Inn, Days Inn, Holiday Inn, Best Western, and the Coral and Island Princess Cruise Ships. Sharon is a juried member of the Arizona Artists Guild, Sonoran Arts League, and the Scottsdale Artists League. She is represented by Rogoway Gallery in Tubac, AZ., and Huckeba Gallery in Prescott, AZ. www.sharonweiser.com

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