About our Instructors

Jenni Bateman is a dynamic and engaging leader with 2+ decades proven experience as an arts educator, fierce art-maker, innovative communications specialist, and civic engagement-builder with a cohesive yet diverse design background in non-profits, the arts, small business, community-based recreation, and education.

Johan Bjurman is classically trained several painting disciplines. He established Bjurman Studio specializing in commercial artwork, including several significant and nationally recognizable projects, such as, designing and painting 7 trompe l’oeil lunettes of Mozart’s operas which are installed at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia. Now retired, Johan spends his time in Rhode Island and Florida where he practices plein air landscape painting and exhibits his work widely.

Robert Broyles is an award-winning, published watercolor artist, illustrator, teacher, and co-author of Art Across the Curriculum. He earned his BA with honors in Fine Art and Art Education, from the University of South Florida. In his paintings, Robert strives to use rich, sumptuous and colorful images, to help raise awareness of the beauty of the fragile world we inhabit. His work has been exhibited throughout Southwest Florida.

Lou-Anne Curtis is a freelance photographer specializing in portrait and nature photography. She captures subtle moments that often go unnoticed: the color of early morning light, the long shadows of a late summer afternoon, fog sneaking across the bay. Her work is shown in Englewood, Port Charlotte, and Punta Gorda, Florida.

Paul Frehe is a renowned sculptor whose clay works range from whimsical figures to social and political musings. His current work explores themes on freedom and conformity, pleasure and responsibility, and human connection to the natural world. Frehe studied and practiced art in California before moving to Ashville, North Carolina in 1994.

Diane Mannion is a realistic landscape and portrait artist. Her watercolor and pastel works simultaneously capture the vivid beauty and touristy chaos of her home state of Florida. Diane studied fine art at Pratt and SUNY, and worked as a professional illustrator for over thirty years. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including the 2011 Bowles Portrait Award and the 2012 Fine Art Connoisseur Award of Excellence. Diane’s work is exhibited in Galleries throughout the United States. Maggie McClellan is an accomplished painter who exhibits her work nationally and abroad. She is a signature member of the Florida Watercolor Society, Gold Coast Watercolor Society, and the Miami Watercolor Society. Maggie has authored successful teaching programs across the United States, in the Caribbean, and abroad. She is the author of the popular book, The Artist’s Express – Secrets of the Obedient Brush.

Don Melander creates delicate, realistic landscape works in pencils and watercolors. He has been a practicing artist for more than thirty years, and has studied with internationally renowned artists Tony Couch, Robert Wade, and ChengKhee Chee. He is a member of the Lake Superior Watercolor Society, the Arrowhead Art Club, the Englewood Art Center, and the Punta Gorda Visual Art Center. Don’s work is exhibited throughout Southwest Florida and his hometown of Duluth, MN.

Nichole Moranda is an artist and native Floridian and who studied at the Florida School of the Arts, MCC, Bradenton and USF Tampa, where she received her BFA in Ceramics. Nichole has a focus in ceramic hand-building with a background in wheel throwing. Her ceramic work has been displayed as installations, functional pieces and as jewelry pendants. Nicole currently has a sculpture installation, “Catch of the Day” in the Englewood ArtScape Sculpture Garden.

Sheryl Unwin attended the Art Institute of Boston. After years of developing her skills, she chose to share her knowledge with other artists. In 2005 she decided to enjoy the beauty of Florida living, culture, wildlife and fabulous scenery that only the Gulf Coast of Florida can give. Her passion is to draw from people, the largest of wildlife creatures, and the smallest of domestic pets.