Meet the Teaching Artists

Maison Allen is an artist and educator based in the Lehigh Valley. Her artistic background and education is focused on painting but she has a fascination with all kinds of art, exploring a variety of media from ceramics to printmaking. Her work focuses on capturing the beauty of small moments in our daily lives.

Josh Berk is a published author and journalist, as well as a musician and the Executive Director of the Bethlehem Area Public Library. He teaches songwriting at Northampton Community College .

Cassandra Bortz recently went back to school to become a biology teacher and use my creative ideas to combine art and science. I’m a former carpenter, I love working with kids, taking walks in nature and swimming. I also have a dog named cookie who is four and she is my best friend! I’m very passionate about making a difference in teaching and using creativity to make it fun!

Erin Crimmins is a student at Moravian University currently completing a Master’s Degree in Art Education for Kindergarten through 12th grade students. As an active participant in several Bethlehem arts initiatives, I am delighted for the opportunity to teach art-making in this community that I love so deeply. My own art practice focuses heavily on portraiture, where I’m especially interested in how we carry our stories in our bodies.

Mairin Egge is a professional artist and teaching artist with over 20 years of experience working with students ages 3 – 83. I specialize in painting and love creating murals, bringing creativity and confidence into every class. I’m known for my energy, patience, and ability to meet kids where they are – and as a mom of a nine-year-old, I understand how important a supportive, fun learning environment is.

Calver Gallard is an art teacher in Allentown and Bethlehem areas. I love helping kids explore their creativity, try new things, and have fun making art in a supportive and encouraging space. Whether we’re painting, drawing, sculpting, or experimenting with something new, my goal is to help every young artist feel confident and inspired. I’m excited to create, learn, and get a little messy at art camp!

Gabriella Gentile is a visual artist from Scranton, PA. She received her Bachelor’s in Visual Arts from Keystone College in 2020 where she focused in ceramics, sculpture, and graphic design. Gentile currently resides in Bethlehem, PA where she works with Northampton Community College in their ceramics studio, ArtsQuest, and other local art institutions teaching varying art programs.

Katrina Heebner is a Bethlehem artist who works in a variety of artistic media, specializing in fiber arts. She graduated from Moravian University with a Bachelor’s degree in Art and Psychology where her art studies focused on photography, painting, and drawing. As a teaching artist, she’s all about helping people build confidence alongside their skills, creating a space where people from all backgrounds and experiences can feel comfortable exploring their creative side.

Rebecca Kelly is a local visual artist and teaching artist at both ArtsQuest and Lehigh University Art Galleries! Her work was in “Here and Now: 100 Years of LUAG, 100 Local Artists. ” Ms. Rebecca holds a masters degree in Child Development from Sarah Lawrence College.

Cotty Kilbanks has spent several years in the cartoon industry in NY and LA working for Disney, Warner Bros., South Park, and more. She enjoys teaching anime and cartooning and sharing her art experience with students as her second career!

Beth Krumholz is from Berks County and has been in the Lehigh Valley for 6 years. She has been making and teaching art in museums and art centers for most of her career, specializing in integrating crafts and Art history. In her free time she enjoys hanging out with her cats and her son.

Hello! My name is Abby and I am a newly certified art, English, and family consumer science educator. I am passionate about storytelling, resourcefulness, and fostering creativity in kids of all ages. I have been a camp assistant for the past two summers and am very excited to teach this coming summer!

Beth McFadden has a BFA in Ceramics and Glass Blowing from Tyler school of art. For the past 15 years she has been working as a Ceramics teacher at Liberty High School in Bethlehem.

Hello! My name is Emily Petras and I am an artist and educator residing in the Lehigh Valley. I am a lover of kinds of art! I have been crocheting for the past 6 years and my favorite things to create are wearables such as scarves and hats! I also enjoy printmaking, painting, and digital art. I received my degree in Art Education from Kutztown University in 2019 and have worked for the Creative Factory as both a camp counselor and teaching artist.

Jacquelyn Rambo is a local artist and art teacher in the Lehigh Valley. Her work is greatly inspired by Woman’s Work and historic paintings of the 19th century. She especially loves painting Lover’s Eyes, and her paintings have been exhibited around Pennsylvania. She is primarily a painter, as well as a fiber artist.

Nancy Sullivan is currently teaching children through ArtQuest’s ArtSmart after school program. I work with children in the Easton and Bethlehem school districts and I teach them drawing, painting, and working with clay. It is a relaxing and interactive class for the students where I instill their love of Art with having fun at the same time.

Gable Young studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of The Fine Arts and the University of The Arts in a dual enrollment program. They received a BFA, Certificate of painting, and a PA teachers certification. Currently, Gable travels doing juried art/craft shows and continues to work in both clay and oils. Their work is heavily influenced by nature and the everyday beauty of chaos.