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Sunny Agboola holds both a B.S. and two Masters degrees in business. Sunny has been dancing Salsa since the 1970’s. A natural teacher, his dance instruction is fun and challenging and based on his philosophy, “If you can walk you can dance...learn to feel the music”. 

Susan Bjornson has a bachelor's degree in art history from Southern Illinois University, and a bachelor's degree in design and animation from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She studied watercolor at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL. Her work has been shown at Oak Park Village Hall, the Oak Park Public Library and the Oak Park Conservatory.

Max Bjornson is a sophomore at Columbia College and has participated in several gallery exhibitions there. His work can be seen in Oak Park as part of the “Off the Wall” mural project at Terra Incognito, Chicago Avenue, and on Harrison Street as part of the Summer 2005 bench project. Max has several years of teaching experience working with children with the Oak Park Park District.

Audrey Warnimont Brown has exhibited in Montreal, Canada, Italy, and many juried shows in the Midwest. She is a signature member of the Illinois Watercolor Society and studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, American Academy of Art, and Triton College. She has served as juror of selections and critiques for art groups and has work in several galleries.

Phyllis DeSio, fine arts painter, has a background in oil, acrylic, pastel, and colored pencil. She has works in corporate and private collections in the U.S. and abroad and is a many-time award winner in major art shows and exhibitions. She is an active member of the Colored Pencil Society of America, and is represented at the Art Institute of Chicago and other galleries.

Doug Deuchler has a bachelor’s in English from Western Illinois University, a master’s in library science from Dominican University and has been a columnist and theatre critic for Oak Park’s Wednesday Journal for 22 years. He spent 34 years as an educator with the Proviso Township High School and has written 7 plays that have been produced in the Chicago area. He has also been the moderator for the film discussion series at Oak Park’s Lake Theatre for several years.

Jeanette Jancius Durand received her BFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago where she studied fiber art, painting and drawing. She worked for 6 years at The Art Institute of Chicago in The Department of Textiles and The Department of European Decorative Arts & Sculpture. Currently she is creating art work in her studio in Oak Park for exhibitions, private collectors and commissions.

Stan Edwards teaches design courses at the Illinois Institute of Art at Chicago. He is a painter with work in the National Museum of Art at the Smithsonian. He has exhibited at The Art Institute of Chicago and the Museum of Contemporary Art. He works on residential and corporate commissions. His latest commissions include the Veterans’ Administration in Chicago and Sherman Hospital in Elgin, Illinois.

Bob Kwas began his training with private lessons from H.H. Smithers. He later attended the University of Wisconsin/Racine and graduated from the American Academy of Art in Chicago. He has exhibited nationally and has received numerous awards in area arts fairs and exhibits. 

Richard Laurent received his formal visual education at the Institute of Design. In 1999, Richard painted a fibre glass object for Chicago’s public art program, “Cows on Parade.” In 2003, he exhibited at the Salon International, Museum of Contemporary Masters of Fine Art. He is a member of Oil Painters of America and is also represented by the Fine Arts Building Gallery. 

Carol Richardson O’Brien studied fine arts at the University of Dayton and St. Louis University, and illustration at Ray College of Design. After college she moved to Europe to paint. She has shown her work in St. Louis, Missouri, Dublin, Ireland, and the Chicago area. She is a juried member of the Illinois Artesian Guild and the North Shore Art League. She works in many mediums and has done several hundred commissioned portraits throughout the world. . 

Kelly Diane Pelka is a mixed media artist with bachelor's degrees in visual communication from Northern Illinois University and secondary art education from the University of Illinois. She also studied at Parson's School of Design in New York. She has been teaching children's art classes since 1995. She currently teaches at Chicago-area Montessori schools. She also curates art shows throughout Chicago.

Ann Primack received her B.A. in Fine Art from Colorado College as well as a B.A. from the University of Illinois in teaching. She went on to take graduate level classes from the Art Institute of Chicago and the Appalachian Center for Crafts in Tennessee, amongst other places. She continues to work in her studio to create pieces for art shows and commissions. 

Kate Smith graduated from the Royal College of Art in London with an MFA in illustration in 1995. A native of England, Smith moved from London to Chicago in July 2001, and joined the Golden Working Artist Program in 2002. She has artwork in a number of private collections, and continues to work on painting commissions. 

June Shotsberger is a fun energetic artist whose experience and passion working with kids has proven results in bringing out their creative side. June has done beading parties for all ages, including adults, in the Chicago area for 3 years and worked the summer of 2005 at the Dole Learning Center Art Camp as the arts and craft teacher. 

Keith Taylor taught Cartooning for over a decade with the Park District of Oak Park and has taught workshops and classes in Chicago through Wright Jr. College, Alcott Elementary School and others. His cartoons have been syndicated nationally and his greeting cards have been published internationally. He has a MFA in Printmaking and BFA in Painting from the U of I, Urbana. Keith is a graphic designer, cartoonist, illustrator, painter, printmaker and greeting card designer with over 30 years experience in helping people laugh and think.

Laura Thoma works as a visual artist in photography, mixed media and as a national jewelry designer. She has teaching experience in arts and education throughout the New York City school system, at the Chicago Academy of Performing Arts and Roosevelt University. 

Jeanne Troxel graduated from Indiana University with a B.F.A. in Visual Communications (Design). After working for 15 years in the graphics arts and publishing industries, she returned to painting. Jeanne studied for four years at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She has taught various private painting students. Her work resides in private collections in Illinois, New Mexico, Texas, Indiana, and South Africa.

Desi Vasquez teaches both theatrical and visual arts. She holds a B.A. in English Literature/Theatre. She has trained at The Art Institute of Chicago and The Art Student’s League in New York City. Desi is a member of The Screen Actor’s Guild and has performed with companies such as The Great Jones Repertory Ensemble, Il Piccolo Theatro del Opera, London Shakespeare Company, La Mama Experimental Theatre, Disney and Columbia films.

Dominic Vignola received a B.A. in education from Rosary College. He studied privately with noted Chicago portrait painter Joseph Allworthy and at the Art Students League and national Academy in New York City. His artwork and writings have appeared in American Artist, Getting Started in Art and The Artist magazines. He is a board member of Oil Painters of America and has more than 20 years of experience teaching the tonal method.

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