Gina Louthian-Stanley is a Roanoke County, Virginia native. She creates works in her studio, built in 1917, nestled in a hollow near a babbling creek. You can find her working in the studio most evenings and in the wee hours of the morning. She was born into an artistic family and is influenced by many artist and musician friends and mentors. Discovering printmaking, Gina did her thesis works in monotype and has primarily been a monotype printmaker since 1986. Her latest monotypes have been explorations in printing on alternative surfaces with various inks and oils using various viscosities to create the 'atmospheric' quality, which are symbolic to her works. Gina pursued an interest in continuing her creative endeavors and earned her B.A. Degree from Hollins University and followed by a Master's Degree from Radford University. She has received many artistic honors and awards, has been featured in several publications, and has artworks in corporate and private collections locally, nationally, and internationally.

http://ginalouthian-stanley.blogspot.com/

Annie Armistead has been creating different forms of jewelry for the past seven years. After discovering the relatively new medium, precious metal clay, she knew she had found her true love and immersed herself in all things metal clay. She then went on to pursue certification to teach from Precious Metal Clay Connection. Annie’s jewelry has been sold in numerous boutiques and galleries throughout the Southeast.

Carly Burke learned the fundamentals of wearable art while attending Savannah College of Art and Design where she majored in Metal and Jewelry Design. With more than ten years experience, a passion for metal manipulation drives her creativity. Bending, chasing, and connecting wire and metal to enhance the beauty of materials is an inspiring process. With a focus on quality design and quality materials, Carly is able to create elegant and durable jewelry that is sure to enhance any collection.
http://mountainlightjewelry.com/Welcome.html

James Quinn was born between the Korean war and the Cuban Missile Crisis, in Greensboro NC, where he attended school… sometimes. In his mid twenties he developed an interest in sculpture and blacksmithing. Modern techniques seemed necessary to build tools and equipment and along the way they became standard in his shop and work. He has traveled and worked in blacksmith shops and foundries in Colorado and Montana, learning about sculpture casting, the forging of materials and attending college in Flathead Valley in Montana. Making kinetic sculpture and forging have been his favorite pastimes, but he enjoys all areas of metal working and will try just about anything.
http://quinnmetalarts.com/

A complete tool kit will be provided for each student's use during the workshop. No purchase is necessary to participate, but tools will be available for purchase after class if students would like to continue to practice what they've learned. For stone setting exercises, brass ring blanks and CZs are available for purchase. Students may bring their own faceted gemstones if they are round cut and 2.5mm to 3mm in size. A copper bracelet blank will can be purchased for an engraving exercise that will result in a finished piece.

*A "ball vise" is essential for small scale engraving work, but can be an expensive investment (upwards of $280) for the novice engraver. In fact, this cost has certainly prohibited beginners from exploring the art of engraving. In order to preserve this art form, NC BLACK Co has invented an affordable version of the ball vise to be used in their workshops, making it a cost effective option that will open the door to beginners. Purchase of NC BLACK Co.'s affordable ball vise is not necessary to take Les Bryant's engraving class, but due to repeated requests from students, the ball vise has been made available for purchase to students after the workshop. It is priced at $130.

All tools are provided for this workshop. Materials required:
• 18 gauge copper sheet, cut into 15 squares, approx. 2" x 2"
• Optivisor magnification necessary

Andrea Kennington, co-founder of NC Black Co., received her MFA in Metals Design from East Carolina University, studying under the prodigious John Satterfield. She then apprenticed with Betty Helen Longhi and has maintained the studio of Kennington Designs in Mount Airy with Chuck Kennington, a carver and practitioner of chase repose gold work. She is an instructor at the Sawtooth School of Art and teaches workshops worldwide. Andrea was then one of the co-founders of the Yadkin Valley Craft Guild and has served on the Board of Directors and Jury Committee of Piedmont Craftsmen, Inc. for several years. She has created a handcrafted Christmas tree ornament for collection of the White House and was among the artists across the nation honored at a special reception that occurred due to the tragic events of 9/11. Her work is held in many private collections and corporate institutions.

Les Bryant, Le Graveur de Vol, is a master engraver, goldsmith, metalsmith, and stone setter. Mr. Bryant has worked with Andrea Kennington, of Kennington Designs in North Carolina, on a range of jewelry, decorative art, and small sculpture. He has studied with a number of leading craft professionals, including Johnny Wyerts, Betty Helen Longhi and David Huang. His work is becoming renown in the custom knife making, gun engraving and fine jewelry arenas, and his engraved pieces have been shown in the pages of Blade Magazine and Knives Illustrated. Working with Andrea and Chuck Kennington, he helped form a specialty tool manufacturer, NC BLACK Co, to supply the tools that will enable aspiring metalsmiths to be equipped for the task. Mr. Bryant has become a master at teaching as well, imparting his passion for this unique art form to others today. He is now a frequent instructor in engraving and design in numerous professional schools across the country.

http://ncblack.com/home.html

Minimum enrollment: 3, Maximum enrollment: 8
Beginner ● Materials Fee: $10 ● Minimum Age: Responsible Young Adult

Students under the age of 18 MUST have a waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian before class commences.

Tammy Parks has her MFA in Art from Goddard College and her MA in Spanish from the University of Southern Mississippi. Currently, she is an assistant professor at NRCC and is pursuing her doctorate in the Philosophy of Art. Tammy is the owner and designer of All Glass with Class, selling custom stained glass, glass jewelry and ceramic masks when she is not catering to the whims of her 6 adoptive cats, 1 dog and 1 husband.

www.allglasswithclass.com

Completion of this class will qualify students to rent the center's glass studio on an individual basis and join the Glass Club, which meets monthly.

Minimum enrollment 3: Maximum enrollment 5
Beginner ● Materials Fee: $25 ● Minimum Age: Responsible Young Adult

Students under the age of 18 MUST have a waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian before class commences.

Lara Davis Phelps discovered glass in her last year of college at RISD. Lara went back to school at the Appalachian Center for Crafts where she met her husband and discovered bead making. Building a studio, starting a business, and having a family are her current focus. She lives in Floyd with her husband and two kids.

Minimum enrollment: 3, Maximum enrollment: 8
Advanced Beginner ● Materials Fee: $3-$15 ● Minimum Age: Responsible Young Adult

Students under the age of 18 MUST have a waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian before class commences.

Teri Walters was introduced to polymer clay in 1999 and quickly became a “polyholic”. Since then, her artwork has taken her to many different places. She has been featured on local television, has won 1st and 3rd places in Polymer Cafe magazine for her work in millefiori canning and mixed media work, featured in newspapers, participated in various exhibits, has her creations in retail stores, and can be found at local craft shows selling and teaching in her booth. Teri has a great desire to teach and thoroughly enjoys passing on her knowledge and experiences in polymer clay to all those desiring to learn. In April, 2009 Teri started the New River Valley Polymer Clay Guild, which today is an active, growing community-oriented group that is promoting the enjoyment of polymer clay as recreation, hobby, or art medium.