coordinator
Karin Tollefson-Hall, Ph.D., Coordinator of JMU Summer Art, Associate Professor and Art Education Area Coordinator at JMU with five years of teaching experience in grades 7-12 art and Spanish. Karin was awarded Higher Education Art Educator of the Year by the Virginia Art Education Association in 2012. She is also a book artist.
Teachers
Cyndi Gusler, MFA Painting and Drawing and BS Liberal Arts with teaching certification, is Professor of Art at Eastern Mennonite University, where she has taught for 14 years. She has also taught K-8 art at St. Stephens School in Kentucky. Cyndi has a large exhibition record demonstrating concern for the environment and humanity.
Tori Jackson, is an artist and educator who earned a BFA in ceramics JMU. She is a ceramics instructor at Make Waynesboro Clay Studio. Tori is also the National Art Education Association Pre-Service Division Director.
Laura Paige Mertins, earned a BFA in ceramics from JMU who currently teaches at Smithland Elementary School in Harrisonburg.
Abbi Pence, BA Studio Art James Madison University, is an art teacher at Murray Elementary School in Charlottesville.
Suzanne Miller-Corso, MFA Dance Performance and Choreography and BFA Dance with prior teaching certification, is Professor of Dance at JMU teaching primarily jazz, musical theatre and tap dance. Suzanne is a College of Visual and Performing Arts Distinguished Teacher Award recipient. She has performed professionally in the musicals Hello Dolly, Annie Get Your Gun, and A Chorus Line and abroad in Sydney, Australia in Phantom of the Opera.
Kelley Shradley-Horst, BA Art is a certified art teacher at Harrisonburg High School with 11 years of experience teaching art, including students with limited English proficiency. Her mixed-media paintings have been shown across the valley and her jewelry is on display and for sale at Larkin Arts. Kelley's favorite art practice is working with recycled or unwanted items and repurposing them into beautiful new objects.
Joshua Streeter, Assistant Professor of Theatre Education at JMU, is a drama/theatre educator and director. He was named the 2015 Winifred Ward Scholar from the American Alliance for Theatre and Education. Joshua was one of the 12 writers for the National Theatre Standards and has worked as a consultant for numerous state departments of education. As a professional theatre-maker, Joshua is a writer, director, and dramaturg.
Bill Wightman, PhD Art Education, has been faculty at JMU since 2000 in the Art Education Program teaching Art Criticism, Art Appreciation, and Art Education Methods courses. Professor Wightman's expertise includes the theoretical and pedagogical applications of visual culture, contemporary art history, and aesthetics.