Karen Azarnia - Exhibitions Director received her BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design and MFA in Painting and Drawing from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. In addition to her role at RAC, she is an exhibiting painter.

Tami Gagné – Financial Director/Instructor is an Illinois certified art teacher with experience in curriculum writing and development. She received her B.S.Ed in Art Education from Northern Illinois University and she also holds an A.A.S. degree in Multimedia and Computer Imaging. She has sold her artwork in the U.S. and internationally.

John Harmon – Facilities/Ceramics Manager/Instructor graduated with a M.F.A. in ceramics from the University of Texas at San Antonio and attended the ceramics program in Sun Valley, Idaho. He taught for many years at Concordia University and at the college-level in Midland, Texas and has lectured and held workshops in Ohio, Texas, and Idaho. His pottery and sculpture are widely exhibited and collected throughout the U.S.

Elaine Leonard– School Manager Received her BFA in Graphic Design with a minor in Ceramics from the University of Missouri - Columbia in 1996. She has worked professionally as a graphic designer, calligrapher and potter in the Chicagoland area for the last 15 years.

Thomas McDonald - Instructor has been creating art since 1981. He holds a M.F.A. from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a B.F.A. from Northern Illinois University. He currently is on faculty at several local colleges, including the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. His painting and sculpture is widely exhibited and collected throughout the United States.

Marianne Poulos - Instructor is an Illinois Certified Teacher with an endorsement in Art, and holds a Master of Arts degree in education from St. Xavier University, Chicago. Marianne is an oil painter and has exhibited nationally at various galleries, venues, and in private collections. She has a Bachelors degree in Communication Arts, from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Her documentary, "Save Our Place - Maxwell Street" aired on WGBO, TV.

Tariq Tamir - Instructor studied at Columbia College Chicago and has been involved in the fine arts for over 10 years. Tariq has taught young adults ages 14-21 with Chicago’s Gallery 37 and the Boys and Girls Club. In addition to being poetically inclined, Tariq uses art as a medium for self-growth and empowerment.

Kathleen Thormetz - Instructor has been creating art since 1981. He holds a M.F.A. from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a B.F.A. from Northern Illinois Univ

Shawn Vincent - Instructor received a B.S. degree from Western Illinois University with majors in both Fine Art and Biology. She spent many years working as an art director for an advertising agency and also freelanced. Finding her true passion, Shawn has worked in ceramics for over 15 years and has been teaching for 10 years. She has exhibited her pottery at various galleries and venues throughout the Chicago land area and her work is collected nationwide.

Mike Zilka - Ceramic Studio Manager Masters of Fine Arts: University of Wisconsin, Madison
Instructor/Grant Coordinator: Oxbow Summer School of Painting
Ceramics Instructor: Stephens College, Columbia, Missouri
Who is Who in American Art
Travel grant Koshiwara, Japan
Published; numerous one man shows, galleries and private collections

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