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Brecksville Center for the Arts is proud of its highly trained teaching staff. Many instructors hold Fine Arts degrees, while others are performing artists or arts educators with decades of classroom experience. Each of them expresses a love of the arts, a desire to teach and inspire, and a commitment to excellence. We applaud all of our fine teachers. Their names and biographies appear in alphabetical order below. But, first, read about our award winning Instructors.
Instructors: ( A - C ) ( D - K ) ( L - R ) ( S - Z )
John J. Smith Award for Teaching Excellence, Creativity and Dedication:
This award honors John J. Smith, Superintendent of Brecksville-Broadview Heights Schools from 1978-1990 who, upon his retirement, became the Service Director for the City of Brecksville. To honor his important support during the early years of Brecksville Center for the Arts and to recognize his teaching excellence, creativity and dedication to learning, the Board of Directors established this award to be given annually to an outstanding teacher at the Center. Past recipients have included artists Linda Carpenter, Rita Telaak, Mark Yasenchack and Jane Slivka.
Recipients:
Karen Pflaum - 2006 Outstanding Teacher
Karen has taught basket weaving classes for many years at BCA but her love of teaching goes well beyond the classroom. Judy Mc Crodden, president of the Board of Trustees and a student in Karen's classes said, “Karen is a dedicated arts volunteer, offering her time and talents for artist demonstrations throughout the year. She also donates her woven creations to assist the center in its fundraising efforts. Brecksville Center for the Arts is indeed fortunate to have Karen teaching for us. “
Karen began her weaving career in 1985 by taking classes at the Woodshed in Medina and later became their instructor. Always striving for excellence, she has attended many workshops and conventions over the years. Karen has received award ribbons for Best of Show, 1st place and 2nd place in many area competitions. She is a member of the Medina County Basket Weavers Guild and Association of Michigan Basket Makers. Karen participates in the Hinckley Arts Show and Art Mart in Brecksville.
The Trustees will honor Karen at BCA's Art from the Heart benefit to be held on February 11, 2007.
Donna Box - 2005 Outstanding Teacher
BCA Youth Chorus and Brecksville Community Chorus
Donna is a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University and studied voice and cello at the Cleveland Institute of Music. She sang with the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus for 20 years, and was the Choir Director for Brecksville United Methodist Church. Donna has also served as musical director for Brecksville Theater on the Square, The Broadview Heights Spotlights and, most recently, for HONK at the Brecksville Broadview Heights Middle School and for Kaufmann's Fall in Style event. Donna has won numerous vocal awards and has passed her knowledge and love of music to countless singers in the area.
Beverly Braun - 2004 Outstanding Teacher
Watercolor & Drawing
Beverly Braun, known throughout the community for her teaching excellence and care for her students, has been named as recipient of Brecksville Center for the Arts' 2004 John J. Smith Instructor of the Year Award. Beverly received her BFA from Carnegie Mellon University and continued her studies under such teachers as Fred Leach, Lowell Ellsworth Smith and several Sumi teachers. She was a greeting card artist and designer at American Greetings Co. for many years, and now teaches watercolor and drawing at Brecksville Center for the Arts and the Richfield Recreation Center. Bev has won the Roy Wilhelm Award at The Ohio Watercolor Society Show, and the OWS Exhibit Award. When asked about her philosophy, Beverly answered,
"Learning to draw and paint isn't all about what happens on the paper or canvas. It's mostly about learning to see. Most people observe a tree or flower in only one way. If I teach them to focus on that tree or flower in five different ways, then their whole world has been expanded and enriched. Along the way of this magical journey of ours, skills are sharpened and our world is enlarged."
Jane Slivka - 2003 Outstanding Teacher
Watercolors
Congratulations to Jane Slivka,watercolor instructor and After School Art Program teacher,
recipient of the 2003 teacher of the year award. Jane received her art education from Endicott Junior College in Boston, Massachusetts, Ohio University and studied Art History in Florence Italy. Her florals, still lifes 
and landscapes appear in many private collections in the area. She has won numerous awards. Jane is inspired by the beauty of the countryside and enjoys painting tranquil settings - places where someone would want to be.
Mark Yasenchack - 2002 Outstanding Teacher
Ceramics
Mark began teaching for Brecksville Center for the Arts in 1993. His education includes a BS in Biology from Baldwin Wallace with a two year concentrated study of ceramics, glaze making and Black and White photography. His work has been seen at Cain Park, Ann Arbor Summer Fair, the Lakewood Art Festival and the Columbus Art Festival. Along with teaching at BCA, Mark has also taught with the Cleveland City Schools Harvey Rice and Wade Park Elementary Schools, the Cleveland Institute of Art, and Happy Hearts School teaching children with special needs.
Rita Telaak - 2001 Outstanding Teacher
Jewelry and Metalsmithing
Rita Telaak, who teaches Jewelry/Metalsmithing, began her endeavors as a student at Brecksville Center for the Arts and is a popular teacher and award-winning exhibitor. Rita's work can be seen at Eye Candy Gallery (www.EyeCandy-Gallery.com) which Rita owns. She has been an exhibitor at a variety of juried shows which include: Mayor's Fine Art Show - Brecksville, Heartfelt Holiday - Brecksville, Art on the Green - Hudson, Akron Art Expo - Akron, Easton Towne Center Art Show - Columbus, The Chautauqua Art Show - Chautauqua, NY, St. James Court Art Festival - Louisville, KY. Rita is a member of: the Ohio Arts and Crafts Guild, Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG), and the PMC Guild. Rita encourages her students to participate in various classes and BCA sponsored art shows. Visit her web site at: www.RitaTelaak.com
Linda Carpenter - 2000 Outstanding Teacher
Decorative Painting
Linda began her painting career over 20 years ago as an avid student. She studied with leading teachers before beginning her own teaching career at BCA. She has been a member of the BCA faculty since its founding.
Instructors: ( A - C ) ( D - K ) ( L - R ) ( S - Z )
