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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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.