Remembering Helvi Abatiell — Pottery, resin, multimedia artist
Original Bio:
“Helvi has been teaching pottery to kids and adults for over 25 years. After gaining a studio art degree from UVM she opened Creative Space Art Gym in downtown Rutland, VT. Soon she discovered she needed to focus on her new and growing family. After a couple of years away she got her hands dirty again at Hands On Minds On children’s art studio and helped her friend create Muddy Hands Pottery Studio. When that program was transferred to the Rutland Recreation & Parks Department, Helvi continued to share her passion for clay with Rutland residents for several years. Now, Helvi finds herself at the Chaffee Art Center in Rutland teaching camps and classes, and helping with their summer programming.
She is inspired by nature’s patterns and sunflowers, and loves walking through her woods in Mendon, VT finding interesting plants, roots, and other things to add to clay or resin.”
Lorrie Amerio-Maniery
Lorrie Amerio-Maniery is a mother of 3 and grandmother of 5, living in Rutland County. She got hooked on fluid art when quarantining during the COVID crisis. Suffering from anxiety, Lorrie realized while watching an acrylic pour demonstration that it had a calming effect on her. She has been loving it ever since, and enjoys teaching others this technique with fun tips and tricks having learned along the way!
Cathy Archer
Cathy Archer has been teaching theatre for forty years. During this time she has taught a variety of classes including Unified theater, Stagecraft and Design, Introduction to Acting and Backstage, Shakespeare and Advanced Theatre. She has directed over 150 plays. She is a professional storyteller and loves working with students of all ages to bring new and old stories to life. Recently she has returned to an interest she had in college, puppets. Puppets are for all ages and are also wonderful storytellers.
Matt Aucoin
Matt Aucoin is a Vermont artist who has studied painting and cartooning. He has painted murals in Rutland County, teaches elementary art for the Rutland Northeast School District, and does a weekly comic strip called Maple the Cow, which runs in the Reporter. His work is inspired by the fantastical, the mythological and the transformation of everyday reality through curiosity and playfulness.
Sally Hogan
Sally Hogan is a native Vermonter. Living in West Rutland, she attended local Christ the King School and Mount St. Joseph Academy in her youth and earned her B.A. in Adolescence Education and English Literature with a Minor in Art from Elmira College. After graduating in 2019, she received her New York and Vermont teaching licenses. Sally is now back at MSJ teaching Art and English, since the fall of 2020. She is primarily a portrait artist and prefers to draw in greyscale but enjoys working with colors, painting, and experimenting with other mediums and crafts. In her spare time, Sally enjoys playing and coaching basketball, hiking and snowshoeing, as well as exploring the great outdoors with her dog. In addition to making art and staying active, she enjoys reading and writing poetry, music, gardening, and watching movies. Sally also spends her summers teaching Art to Pre-K through second graders at Northwest Primary School’s Tapestry Program.
Kathryn Palmer-Wiegers — Artist/Painter
Kathryn is responsible for several Rutland murals, including “Batman” on the Griffin Building, and the recently installed “Elephants” located near the entrance to the bus garage on West Street. There are several others, including one on the side of the Rutland Co-op building on Wales Street, one on Center Street, and two on Merchants Row.
Michele Robie
Michele Robie grew up in West Haven, Vt. She graduated from Middlebury High and then went on to join the Army after a summer in Massachusetts. She has two grown boys and ran a daycare when they were little. She has been a preschool assistant teacher and an event coordinator. She enjoys spending time with kids of all ages. She is an avid crafter and has many fun ideas to share with children and adults.
Marisa Valent-Altland — actor, director, playwright, and educator
Marisa is based in Rutland, VT. Originally from New York, Marisa has taught children’s theater camps all over New York and Vermont. Her favorite thing to teach is Shakespeare. Favorite acting credits include Cinderella in “Into the Woods” (SPARE Productions), Susie Bones in “Puffs” (Rarely Done Productions”, and Mary in “A… My Name is Alice” (The Artistree). Favorite directing credits include “The Drowsy Chaperone” (SPARE Productions) and “Macbeth” (Boot and Buskin). This coming year, Marisa will be directing for Castleton University and the Dorset Players.
Karen Wurster
Karen is an involved member in the Rutland Community. She has instructed art workshops for K-8 youth and created visual aids for classroom use, and is currently working with after-school programs, as well as instructing craft/art workshops at the Chaffee Art Center. Karen has been involved with non-profit organizations, schools, and teachers for many years, and has provided them with tools/resources for educational enhancement through art, music and physical education programs. Some of the organizations include Rutland Town School, Chaffee Art Center, Boys and Girls Club, Vermont Achievement Center, The Carving Studio, Rutland County Humane Society and more. As an active volunteer, Karen prides herself in putting her heart into every activity to create a difference in the community, and especially to youth. She is excited to be instructing camps this summer at the Chaffee, and looks forward to collaborating with the youth campers.