Beth Baskinger has a BA in Creative Writing with a concentration in photography from Carnegie Mellon University and an MAT in ESL from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She taught ESL at the middle school level as well as adult education before taking time off to raise her children. The arts have always played a crucial role in her family and she continued writing and photography, as well as costume making, quilting and knitting. Beth is now an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach and Functional Nutrition Practitioner, with creativity being a foundational element for her business, Off The Plate. She stumbled upon a pottery class at NHAC after the pandemic and immediately fell in love with the medium, constantly pushing herself to learn and grow. She is excited to share the joy of self-expression through the arts with the NHAC family. 

Katie Botterman is a ceramic artist and instructor working in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She earned her BFA in ceramics from Ohio University in 2021. She began working at the North Hills Art Center later that year, sharing her love of clay through teaching. From beginners to advanced, wheel-throwing and hand-building, Katie loves introducing people to this most elemental art of playing with mud and challenging returning students with more advanced techniques. Katie also helps to keep things running smoothly in the studio by firing the kilns, recycling clay for classes, and other maintenance. When there is time to spare she enjoys reading fantasy novels and adventuring outdoors where she enjoys skiing, kayaking, hiking, and camping.  She also works on her own ancient-inspired sculptures and searches for opportunities to exhibit her works. To see more visit her website: katiebotterman.com

Rachel Corn-Hicks has been attempting to express herself through art since she could hold a pencil. She graduated from the (mysteriously vanished) Art Institute of Pittsburgh in 2011, and since that time has been working in various art related jobs, as well as working on and displaying her own art in her free time. In 2018, she began teaching art and has been enamored with that path ever since. 

Ruthann Farinacci got her degree in Art Education from Edinboro University. She has previously taught pottery classes at NHAC and currently teaches Landscape Weaving. She has served on the Board of Directors here at NHAC for the past 20 years; 10 of which she served as Board President.  When not teaching here at NHAC, Ruthann teaches painting in the NHAC outreach program to residents of Vincentian Home. She is a member of several fiber arts guilds in the area and she demonstrates and sells her artwork at various festivals and shops in the area.

Patti Fowler, owner of Flowerama, is a passionate floral educator with 33 years of experience in the floral industry, holding a degree in Horticulture. Having worked as a wholesaler, grower, and retailer for 21 years, Patti has honed her skills as a floral artist. Dedicated to lifelong learning, she stays updated on the latest trends, seamlessly blending creativity with innovative techniques to create stunning, large scale installations. Patti Fowler is a proud member of the American Institute of Floral Designers and holds accreditations as a professional floral educator and evaluator. At the Art Center, Patti hopes to inspire students to explore their creativity and develop their skills in floral design. floweramapgh.com

Abby Gery is a Pittsburgh native and a dedicated educator with over 20 years of experience teaching in the Pittsburgh Public School District. She holds a BA in Fine Arts, certifications in Art Education, and an equivalency in Special Education from Carlow University. Central to her teaching philosophy is the belief that art is a powerful tool for therapy, self-expression, and healing. Whether through painting, drawing, ceramics, poetry, or music, Abby loves helping students of all ages unlock their creativity and emotional growth.

Lisa Hortert’s love of fiber arts began as a child when her mother would let her choose patterns and fabric for unique clothing at Joseph Horne in Pittsburgh. She was the only 2nd grader with a leopard fur coat and matching hat one year. One of her favorite places to visit was Parker Buttons in the Jenkins Arcade where plain white shirt buttons could be replaced with lady bug buttons or bird buttons. As an adult, her love for the one-of a kind shifted to soft furnishings for the home and somehow that led to learning to the weave fabric herself. She has been weaving for approximately 4 years now and works on an Ashford Rigid Heddle Loom. Beyond scarves and table runners, she has done cowls, wraps, eye glass cases and is currently working on purses.

Sheila Klotz fell in love with the world of art from the very first stroke of a paintbrush. Years later, she embarked on a new chapter by enrolling in a watercolor painting class. Since then, her artistic horizons have expanded to include acrylics, collages, and Gyotaku (an ancient Japanese technique). No matter the medium, her creations celebrate the vibrant energy of life.

You'll find her work showcased at galleries including Manos Gallery, Latrobe Art Center, Butler Art Center, and the North Hills Art Center as well as at libraries including Shaler and Monroeville, and at several coffee shops, restaurants, and professional offices. She also maintains a home studio in Gibsonia. Connect with her on Instagram @bluehuesartbysheila or visit her website bluehuesartbysheila@gmail.com.

Stacy Koehler is a quilt maker who started her first quilt when she was 22, finished it when she was 35 and has since become a little more productive. Over the years she has grabbed all the opportunities she could to learn  about quilting and other fiber arts, all without acquiring an art degree. She is a firm believer in the idea that expressing oneself and influencing one’s environment through creative pursuits is a vital and enjoyable part of life, regardless of skill, interest or depth of participation.  In other words: for everyone. Stacy has been a certified quilt show judge since 2005. She has taught in schools, shops, conferences, quilt shows and community centers. She does not have a specialty because it is all too much fun. Stacy started her involvement with NHAC when she moved to the area ten years ago and wandered in, looking for a new art home. Which she found.

Jeanine Murch is a freelance illustrator specializing in whimsical art and hand lettering for books, greeting cards, magazines, and advertising campaigns. She holds a BFA in Illustration from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, and started her career designing children's books in the big publishing houses of New York City. After a decade of experience there, she took the leap from the corporate world into freelance to expand her creative opportunities and start a family. She's now happy to be living back in her hometown of Pittsburgh, PA with her husband, two children and sweet rescue pup—who all can be found as inspiration in her work.

Elise Neill is the elementary STEAM teacher at Cornell Elementary.  She has a computer engineering degree from Ohio State, an elementary education certificate from University of Pittsburgh, and a Masters in Stem Education from PennWest (CalU). Elise has been a member of the North Hills Art Center ever since her children were young. Elise also plays in the North Pittsburgh Symphonic Band, helps out with Girl Scouts, runs a Girls Who Code club at the West View Hub, and is often found creating with whatever materials are available. She especially enjoys working with 3D printing, robotics, and crocheting.

Jeanne Perrier's art training and education is primarily from the past 20 years with a focus on botanical illustration in colored pencil, graphite, and pen and ink. She lives with cats. Pencils are safe. She has studied under various national and international botanical artists and colored pencil artists and earned an Advanced Level Certificate in Botanical Art and Illustration from Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. She has participated in numerous juried national and local exhibitions and is currently on faculty at the North Hills Art Center. She previously taught at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Oil City Art Center, and Masonic Village Senior Community. Recently she was awarded signature status (CPSA) by the Colored Pencil Society of America for having been accepted into their juried international exhibition three times within 10 years. She is a member of the American Society of Botanical Artists, Allegheny Highlands Botanical Art Society, Colored Pencil Society of America, Botany Society of Western Pennsylvania, and Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation. jeanne.perrier@att.net

Eva Pontoriero was born and raised in Pittsburgh. Graduating from Pitt with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Studio Arts has provided her with a great understanding of the healing power of art! Eva has worked with all mediums, but personally prefers acrylic paint. She loves to help foster creativity and fine tune skills through children's art classes. Eva has been a board member for one year but has been volunteering at the art center for over 10 years.

Laura Schnarrenberger is a Pittsburgh-based ceramic artist and instructor who blends a lifelong passion for clay with a love of creating unique, functional forms. While she holds a degree in finance, her heart has always belonged to ceramics—a craft she rediscovered later in life and now explores through nature-inspired techniques. In the studio, Laura focuses on building a welcoming, supportive environment for students of all skill levels, encouraging curiosity and confidence at every step. Outside of teaching and making, she enjoys reading, writing, and gardening.

Cheryl Templeton is an artist working in acrylics and enjoys painting human and animal portraits as well as flowers and the occasional landscape. She holds a BA in Art from the University of California at Santa Barbara and a Master of Design in Interaction Design from Carnegie Mellon University. Outside of the painting studio, Cheryl loves to read, explore nature, and spend time with her family. She can also be found volunteering at Beechwood Nature Preserve. Follow her on Instagram!

Abby Vaughn has as B.S. in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh, but has been a fiber arts enthusiast since she was a child, when she first learned how to crochet. As a young adult she learned knitting, and most recently has turned her attention to weaving. Not limiting herself to the fiber arts, she has become a serial crafter, trying her hand at pottery, drawing, painting, and jewelry making, and more. The fiber arts remain her primary artistic outlet. Abby believes that everyone should be given the opportunity to find fulfillment in creation, and that everyone has a creative spark that should be nurtured.

Susan Vincent is an illustrator with long-term experience in the art field, and her work has included everything from business card designs to wall murals.  She has a passion for working in pastel and oil, but recently has leaned into more computer-generated artwork and loves the versatility it provides!  As a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, she has illustrated six children’s books, and is working on her seventh, and hopes to publish her own children’s books someday.  She has taught painting and drawing classes to both adults and children at NHAC, as well as other local art centers.  Part of her joy as an artist is helping others discover and develop their talent while being a part of their creative journey.

James Warmbrodt is an attorney by profession, but his avocation is watercolor painting. A mostly self-taught painter, James is a signature member of the Pittsburgh Watercolor Society, and he is also a member of other art organizations including the Pennsylvania Watercolor Society, the Cranberry Artists Network, and the North Hills Art Center. In addition to exhibiting his paintings in art shows, James accepts commissions from a growing number of patrons. James began teaching watercolor painting as a way to share his interest and enthusiasm for watercolors with other artists, and he particularly enjoys seeing students develop their ability and enjoyment as watercolor painters.