Meet our teaching artists
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Susan Damone Balch
Susan Damone Balch
Susan Damone Balch
Susan's artistic journey began with a childhood love of needle arts that grew into more than 45 years of quilting. She sees quilts not only as objects of comfort, but as canvases for creative expression.
Susan's work often blends her two passions - quilting and fly fishing - into stylized “fish” quilts inspired by the color, shimmer, and m
Susan's artistic journey began with a childhood love of needle arts that grew into more than 45 years of quilting. She sees quilts not only as objects of comfort, but as canvases for creative expression.
Susan's work often blends her two passions - quilting and fly fishing - into stylized “fish” quilts inspired by the color, shimmer, and movement of the natural world.
Recently Susan has also embraced “Liberated Quilting,” a playful, intuitive approach where fabric, color, and curiosity guide the design. Susan enjoys repurposing unexpected textiles, from treasured fabric scraps to vintage neckties.
"Teaching is one of my greatest joys. I love helping quilters of all skill levels relax, experiment, and discover their own creative voice in a supportive, inspiring workshop environment."
Karen Bruyn
Susan Damone Balch
Susan Damone Balch
Karen has been sewing as a hobby, since she was an early teen under the guidance of her mother. Early projects included many clothing and home dec projects. She began machine quilting when her mother opened a quilt shop in the early 1980s. Her bed-size and wall-size quilts have been exhibited in local shows, several winning “viewers cho
Karen has been sewing as a hobby, since she was an early teen under the guidance of her mother. Early projects included many clothing and home dec projects. She began machine quilting when her mother opened a quilt shop in the early 1980s. Her bed-size and wall-size quilts have been exhibited in local shows, several winning “viewers choice” awards. Since retiring from her accounting career in 2016, she enjoys playing with fabric, sharing projects and learning new techniques with fellow quilters and sewists.
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John Cassin
Susan Damone Balch
Michele Colby
John’s sculpting journey began in 7th grade with a clay hippo, an award winning bust of a fellow student, and the encouragement from his teacher, Mr. Budd. He later studied at the Art Institute of Boston and worked diverse jobs—from oyster shucking to counseling, though his commitment to his art never wavered. John lives locally, where he
John’s sculpting journey began in 7th grade with a clay hippo, an award winning bust of a fellow student, and the encouragement from his teacher, Mr. Budd. He later studied at the Art Institute of Boston and worked diverse jobs—from oyster shucking to counseling, though his commitment to his art never wavered. John lives locally, where he carves natural Vermont stone and the timber of fallen trees, and keeping to his roots - clay - primitive, earthy, satisfying, and real.
Michele Colby
Angie Follensbee-Hall
Michele Colby
Michele is a Graduate Jeweler & Gemologist from the Gemological Institute of America with over 34 years of experience in all facets of the jewelry industry. Michele is the owner and jewelry artist behind Sage Jewelry and Gifts in Chester, Vt., specializing in hand fabricated jewelry and beaded items.
Angie Follensbee-Hall
Angie Follensbee-Hall
Angie Follensbee-Hall
Angie Follensbee-Hall has been a professional artist and yogi for over 20 years. She holds a BFA from Plymouth State University and a Master of Arts in Education from Goddard College.
She is a member of the League of NH Craftsmen, 802 Arts, and the New Hampshire Art Association. Angie has exhibited regionally and nationally and has won art
Angie Follensbee-Hall has been a professional artist and yogi for over 20 years. She holds a BFA from Plymouth State University and a Master of Arts in Education from Goddard College.
She is a member of the League of NH Craftsmen, 802 Arts, and the New Hampshire Art Association. Angie has exhibited regionally and nationally and has won art awards through the League and NHAA. She has been an art instructor at Granite State University, leading classes in The Creative Process in Art, Papermaking, and Art From Natural Materials, and is a public art educator. She is also a Reiki Master Teacher, Ayurvedic Consultant, Attunement Practitioner, a Registered Experienced Yoga Teacher for twenty years, and a Yoga Teacher Trainer.
Meg Kupiac
Angie Follensbee-Hall
Angie Follensbee-Hall
Largely a self-taught basket weaver, Meg was greatly influenced by the Shakers. Shaker basket are beautiful as well as functional. With their clean lines and sturdy construction, they are a joy to weave. Meg has taught classes since the early 1990s to groups of all ages in many different venues, including Road Scholar programs at Pilgrim
Largely a self-taught basket weaver, Meg was greatly influenced by the Shakers. Shaker basket are beautiful as well as functional. With their clean lines and sturdy construction, they are a joy to weave. Meg has taught classes since the early 1990s to groups of all ages in many different venues, including Road Scholar programs at Pilgrim Pines, Keene Community Education, and CALL at Keene State College. A member of the Northeast Basket Makers Guild she has taken and taught classes at their Annual Gatherings. She is also a member of the National Basketry Organization. Meg regularly teaches at a local charter school bringing the craft to 9 th and 10 th graders as part of their handwork program. Meg also enjoys demonstrating in the NH Building at the Big E each year for the NH Dept. of Agriculture. She loves to see every student’s progress as they turn raw materials into a useful and decorative part of their home and leave with a new found skill and the confidence to tackle the next project. Meg brings experience, patience and a sense of humor to all her classes!
Dawn Leone
Wayne Miller
Tracy McKee
Dawn Leone is a classically trained contemporary artist and certified visual arts educator. Her practice explores the natural world through a dynamic blend of expressive painting and experimental printmaking techniques.
Dawn’s work has been recognized with multiple awards and has been exhibited nationally across the United States as well as internationally throughout Europe.
Tracy McKee
Wayne Miller
Tracy McKee
Tracy McKee believes the meditative nature of making art is just what we need these days. She is a local painter who works with mixed media materials. She has shown her work throughout New England and has pieces in private collections in both the U.S. and Canada.
Most recently, she completed The Enso Circle, a three-month, international
Tracy McKee believes the meditative nature of making art is just what we need these days. She is a local painter who works with mixed media materials. She has shown her work throughout New England and has pieces in private collections in both the U.S. and Canada.
Most recently, she completed The Enso Circle, a three-month, international invitational residency and continues to participate as a Continuing Resident.
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Wayne Miller
Wayne Miller
Becky Plunkard
Wayne’s woodcarving journey began over 50 years ago as a Boy Scout. Today, he is a member of the National Woodcarvers Association and has been featured in Chip Chats magazine. A seasoned instructor and demonstrator at the Eastern States Exposition, Wayne specializes in the Scandinavian flat-plane carving style. He has honed this minimalis
Wayne’s woodcarving journey began over 50 years ago as a Boy Scout. Today, he is a member of the National Woodcarvers Association and has been featured in Chip Chats magazine. A seasoned instructor and demonstrator at the Eastern States Exposition, Wayne specializes in the Scandinavian flat-plane carving style. He has honed this minimalist approach by studying with many of the nation's most recognized master carvers, including Pete LeClair, Chris Howard, and Dave Sabol.
Becky Plunkard
Pollyanna Sidell
Becky Plunkard
Becky is a Cavendish-based teaching artist of over 40 years with three decades of experience in the local school district doing after-school art programs. Her passion for color and design began in her parents’ fabric stores, evolving into a lifelong love for creating across diverse mediums. Becky combines her background in education with
Becky is a Cavendish-based teaching artist of over 40 years with three decades of experience in the local school district doing after-school art programs. Her passion for color and design began in her parents’ fabric stores, evolving into a lifelong love for creating across diverse mediums. Becky combines her background in education with a creative practice. When she isn't inspiring students, she enjoys time with her two children and four grandchildren.
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Pollyanna Sidell
Pollyanna Sidell
Pollyanna Sidell
Pollyanna is a lively teacher who is passionate about learning and sharing her knowledge. She has been sewing her own clothing since she was 10 years old. Her career was in marketing. After receiving a Master’s degree in Creative Arts in Learning, she changed gears to teach middle school for 14 years using the arts to engage learning in t
Pollyanna is a lively teacher who is passionate about learning and sharing her knowledge. She has been sewing her own clothing since she was 10 years old. Her career was in marketing. After receiving a Master’s degree in Creative Arts in Learning, she changed gears to teach middle school for 14 years using the arts to engage learning in the classroom and raising her two wonderful children. Pollyanna returned to marketing for 7 more years where she developed digital content and media plans before retiring. Coming full circle, Pollyanna is back in a classroom spreading her passion for the arts in every weaving project she envisions.
Jane Wojick
Pollyanna Sidell
Pollyanna Sidell
I have been a potter since 2002.
I create one of a kind pieces using stoneware clay.
I love to make functional pieces which are meant to be used every day.
My inspiration comes from my background in textiles and needlework, as well as gardening, traveling, and exploring the outdoors.
Present and former affiliations:
Create Together at Fle
I have been a potter since 2002.
I create one of a kind pieces using stoneware clay.
I love to make functional pieces which are meant to be used every day.
My inspiration comes from my background in textiles and needlework, as well as gardening, traveling, and exploring the outdoors.
Present and former affiliations:
Create Together at Fletcher Farm, Ludlow VT
Gallery at the Vault, Springfield VT
Vermont Crafts Council
Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce
Westwood Artists, Westwood MA (founding member)
Potters Place, Walpole MA
Bennington Arts Guild, Bennington VT
Dedham Artist Guild, Dedham MA
New Arts Sharon, Sharon MA