Troy Becker is head of the ceramics department at Mark Arts. He received his BFA from Wichita State University in studio Art with an emphasis in ceramics. His ceramic styles vary from artistic hand-built forms to highly crafted thrown pottery. He has shown his work in numerous solo and group exhibitions in Wichita. Becker was also the 2009-2010 Artist in Residence at Mark Arts.

Doug Billings has taught printmaking classes and workshops for Mark Arts for 25 years. With a MFA in printmaking and memberships in Society of American Graphic artists, American Color Print Society, Mid-American Print Council and Boston Printmakers, Doug enjoys sharing his wealth of knowledge to both his beginning and intermediate classes and other fellow artists. It is his way to help promote and sustain the visual arts with the Wichita community.

Mary Binford-Miller has taught oil, gouache and acrylic painting classes at Mark Arts for more than 17 years. As an award winning and “best in shows” artist, Mary’s work has been shown in professional galleries around the country and is currently showing at Reuben Saunders Gallery in Wichita, Kansas. Regarding her students, Mary loves watching them progress and reach their goals. She feels that Mark Arts is one of the best fine art facilities in the Midwest, making it an exciting and creative place.

Bernadette Bradshaw has taught beginning, intermediate and advanced watercolor classes at Mark Arts for 12 years. As a working artist who attended the School of Associated Arts in St. Paul, Minnesota, Bernadette enjoys being able to share her knowledge and experience of painting with others. She loves to see that “aha” moment when a student catches on to a lesson becomes excited with their accomplishment.

Paul Cavanaugh has taught beginning, intermediate and advanced watercolor classes at Mark Arts since 2024. Working as an architect and illustrator for more than 40 years, Paul enjoys sharing his knowledge and experience with his students. He loves the family-like interactions with his students and watching them improve with each session.

Gayle Bryson Clayborn has taught several classes, including children’s STEAM, mixed media, drawing, painting and clay classes for 14 years. As a self-taught artist with commissioned pieces in various art shows, Gayle works hard to have her students excel and feel good about the art they create. She has enjoyed the students and “good fellow” staff at Mark Arts.

Jacob has spent 20 years working in professional kitchens including The Four Seasons in Scottsdale, AZ., Upward Projects in Phoenix, The Binkley group in Phoenix & Scottsdale, and Happiness Plaza Concepts here in Wichita. For the last 12 years, Cook’s time has been focused on opening new concepts, creating training curriculum, menu development and team leadership and now operates his own business as a Food and Beverage Consultant. He enjoys sharing his experience with those looking to cook better tasting food with confidence.

Katharine is the Chef and co-owner of Elderslie Farm, a family-owned farm focused on respect and care for the land, and the opportunity to showcase local growers. The Farm has grown to include a café, creamery, and fine dining restaurant. Katharine serves on the Mark Arts Board and is a strong advocate for our growing culinary programming.

Marianne has a BFA and an MA in Visual Art from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas. She has taught university classes in both art and women’s studies and is the former Creative Director of the Little Room, a space for the arts in downtown Pittsburg. In September 2010, Marianne performed Origin of Painting at Festival Ojo al Sancocho in Bogota – Colombia. In September and October 2011, she performed I love Jose at Festival Ojo al Sancocho; and Origin of Painting at La Otra Historia in Medellin – Colombia and Festival Bugarte in Buga – Colombia.

Virginia Grass Simmons has taught oil painting classes for 16 years. With her master’s degree in educational psychology, Virginia is represented by Beauchamp and SNW art galleries. Virginia loves her wonderful students and the community culture at Mark Arts.

Jim Gross has taught painting, drawing and youth classes for about 48 years. As a recognized distinguished alumnus from Friends University and earning a MFA in painting and a MA in art from Wichita State University, Jim brings a wealth of knowledge to Mark Arts and finds joy in working with people, watching them grow in talent and having found the joy in painting. 

Matthew Hilyard has taught mixed media and abstract painting classes at Mark Arts for more than 10 years. His accomplishments include receiving an education from Butler Community and Wichita State University and commissioned works with Americans Paintings and Keeper of the Plains.  As an instructor, Matthew enjoys meeting artists who get to experience their art in creative spaces. He is honored to teach at Mark Arts and contribute to championing the arts for the local community.

Jamelah is the owner and founder of Nourish ICT. Food is a love language for her, but Jamelah’s passion for food hasn’t always been very healthy. In fact, major health issues moved her to become more educated about food and how it was impacting her life. Nourish ICT was born from a passion for helping others learn how food is medicine. Eliminating and reducing processed chemicals can heal our bodies in ways we might never have thought. Healthy food can and should be delicious.

Judy Lawson is a native Kansan. She earned a Bachelor’s in Education from Emporia State University and was a teacher for 26 years. Retirement has allowed her to focus on her love of art, specifically metalwork. Judy draws her inspiration from nature’s palette, and her style is earthy. She constructs her pieces by combining patterns and textures found in nature, colorful stones, and rich beautiful metals. Her work has been represented at Steckline Gallery, Wichita City Arts and Bella Luz.

Lori Martin Price has taught jewelry making and metalsmithing classes at Mark Arts for 29 years.  With an associate’s degree in graphic design from Hutchinson Community College and a BFA in jewelry design from the University of Kansas, Lori shares her passion for silversmithing and wants to encourage others to explore their creativity in this media. She teaches at Mark Arts because she loves her beginning and advanced students who are like an extended family.

Lynda Medlock is an enthusiastic artist and art teacher committed to the life-long learning. She then attended Wichita State University, with studies in art and art education. Lynda moved to Jonesboro, Arkansas in 1990 to take a job as executive director of an art organization. She began teaching elementary art in 2005, teaching students in grades kindergarten through six. Medlock taught art for eight years in Jonesboro until an opportunity to teach art for Wichita Public Schools brought her back home.

Adyson Mikesell was born and raised in Wichita. Her favorite mediums include paint, oil pastels and colored pencil. She enjoys calligraphy and would love to sell her own greeting cards someday. Her favorite artist is Jessica Hische because she shows typography is more than just words on a canvas. Adyson loves working with children and watching their imagination come alive on paper.

Jack Norris has a master’s degree in microbiology from Wichita State University and worked for many years in engineering at Boeing. In addition to his art practices and teaching ceramics at Mark Arts, he enjoys the outdoors through camping and canoeing.

Annie has been sharing her passion and knowledge in the liquor industry for 12 years.  After graduating from Wichita State University with her MBA, she, her brother and husband opened The Liquor Cabinet located in Northeast Wichita. She has achieved Certified Tequila Specialist and is currently pursuing the prestigious Certified Specialist of Spirits.  She loves teaching individuals about the world of spirits and the differences that make each one uniquely its own. 

Pat owns and operates Shaken or Stirred Bartending, a liquor catering service which does mobile bartending and mixology classes. Prior to owning his own business, Pat worked in munitions maintenance upon joining the U.S.A.F. in 1983 and then cross trained to Air Traffic Control. He spent time on Anderson AFB Guam, Wright Patterson AFB Ohio and Wurtsmith AFB MI. He was honorably discharged in 1989 and was hired by the FAA as an air traffic controller.

Brooke as an AFA, BFA, and MFA in studio art with an emphasis in sculpture. She has loved teaching since the first time she saw the "lightbulb" moment when her students understand a new concept of figure out how to create what they are envisioning. She is a new instructor at Mark Arts and is excited to join our fun and supportive community. 

Casey TZ Smith has taught ceramic sculpture at Mark Arts for three years. With an MFA degree, Casey loves helping her wonderful students reach their creative goals through ceramic sculpture.

Jamie has been in the wine business for more than 20 years. He is currently the wine director at Jacob Liquor Exchange. In 2005, he became Wichita’s first Certified Specialist of Wine through the Society of Wine Educators and passed the Certified Wine Educator exam in 2006. He has also passed the first of three tests in the Court of Master Sommelier Program and was accepted to and studied with the Master of Wine program in London, England.

Scott is the owner of Espresso Source, LLC. He is an active member of the Specialty Coffee Association Technicians Guild. Scott and his team provide hands on espresso and latte art classes to teach coffee connoisseurs how to make the perfect cup at home. 

Joe Stumpe is a writer, musician and culinary instructor. In 2022, his book, “Iconic Eats of Wichita: Surprising History, People and Recipes” was published by American Palate, a division of The History Press. He lives in Riverside with his wife and chickens.

Jessica Vega has been taught drawing and painting classes at Mark Arts since 2024. As a working artist and project manager, Jessica offers her students opportunities to explore their creativity in their work. She takes great satisfaction in knowing that she is adding joy to the world through making art and expanding “happiness” in the Wichita area. 

Jennifer Walterscheid has taught enameling classes at Mark Arts for seven years. With a BA in studio arts and a certificate in ornamental painting and design from Wichita State University, Jennifer loves sharing her knowledge and passion about all things enameling. She creates an environment where her students feel inspired to explore the wide range of techniques with the medium. Jennifer’s commitment to her students and the enameling community are tied to the metal’s studio and the rich history at Mark Arts.

Nicole is the founder and owner of Ncredible Edible Gourmet Sweet Treats, a local bakery named after her late brother, Nicholas, and her two sisters. As a self-taught baker, Nicole has honed her skills over time and specializes in decadent baked goods and custom-designed gourmet chocolate-covered strawberries. Her purpose is to purpose is to enhance customers’ celebratory occasions and help create memories that will last forever.

Nina is a holistic chef and sewing instructor. She is an advocate for slow, sustainable living and believes in holistic healing and thriving from the inside out. She is a plant-based chef who enjoys transforming vegan and vegetarian food into something spectacular and memorable. Nina often jokes she is a “slow cooker,” taking her sweet time to put extra Reiki love and care into all her dishes and never rushing the process.

Melinda Weis is an award-winning artist represented by Gallery XII. In her former life, she was a graphic artist, but can now devote all her time to the joy/agony of painting. She loves sharing her knowledge with others, especially making technology “make sense.”

Addie had mentors in both art and education starting at an early age, though she may not have realized that would be her path until she had already started college. Addie’s work primarily focuses on the human figure, using two-dimensional media and drawing processes to describe the complex relationships between nature and culture.