Murals on Downtown Signal Boxes

Kathleen attended the University of Notre Dame as a Fine Arts major. This was hands-on learning at its best: textiles made on a floor loom; book-binding built from handmade paper; and the magic of monotype printing. It was there that she took a typography class with Professor John Sherman that changed her life. Since then, Kathleen has taught typography and graphic design for nearly 20 years at design programs across the country (School of Visual Arts, Virginia Tech, North Carolina State University, et al.).   
 

From hands-on learning to digital instruction, preeminent professional experiences, and a fellowship at the Smithsonian on research in the digital humanities — Kathleen brings to the classroom (and to her design practice) a unique approach to learning: New ways of seeing. New ways of experiencing. And new ways of envisioning (a better future).   
 

You can find Kathleen Meaney and her work online, or published through Chronicle Books, the MIT Press, HOW Books and Design Observer — or dancing in Raleigh, in community, at the Y. 

SJ Hall

Sheila J Hall, owner of SJ Hall Art and Design creates paintings and wearable art that have been exhibited from Alaska to North Carolina and purchased internationally. Bold colorful patterns characterize her work. Hall believes art can reflect one’s environment and circumstances. As a teaching artist Hall’s mission is to help others build self-esteem, freedom of self expression and the joy of creating and appreciating art. Earning a degree in art school taught her among other things, the elements of design and color theory, the use of that knowledge in a way that evoked memories and emotions came with much practice and exploration.  SJ Hall loves to create art with the young and the elders. Hall states, “the youngest have the freeness of expression without being held back and the elders enjoy life’s experiences and are encouraged to recreate their wisdom and realize their value as they enjoy creating art.  

Marcia Streithorst

After graduating from college with a bachelor's degree in fine art, Marcia Streithorst worked on the corporate side of the art world until moving to North Carolina. Thanks to the move, Streithorst was given a chance to be an artist full time, and since then, has never looked back. Streithorst is very involved in the art community in Raleigh as a member of the NCMMAG and VAE, and volunteers with Wake Forest Arts. Streithorst's work has been featured in galleries in Virginia, Ohio, and all over North Carolina. Streithorst loves teaching and helping people learn about encaustic art. Streithorst's studio is a sanctuary full of color, light, and magic, just like their paintings.

Courtney Marie Taylor

I paint with the hopes of creating something that looks Photorealistic. I like to use a wide variety of color combinations. I think this makes paintings look more interesting; more alive. I love using oils, because of the freedom to continue to mix colors over the course of several days. I learned how to paint while studying in the College of Visual Arts and Design at the University of North Texas. I currently live in downtown Raleigh, where I continue to work in my home studio. This piece is about community, inclusivity, and the beauty of individuality. I was interested in using a topography of marbles as a metaphor; the marbles representing human beings holding space with individualism. Each marble is painted using bold colors in an effort to celebrate uniqueness.

McClain Percy

McClain Percy is an artist and arts-based educational researcher based in North Carolina, USA. McClain uses visual juxtaposition of multiple layers and watermedia techniques to paint mundane subjects from unfamiliar perspectives. Her work is driven by insatiable curiosity to comprehend unique viewpoints often subverted by standardized definitions. Making art becomes the physical process enacting her journey to understand the world around her simultaneously while negotiating her place within it. For the past decade McClain created art in an academic context, using imagery to explore thorny social and cultural issues. The resulting body of visual art and writings have been published and shown in America, Europe, and Australia.

Justice Dunne

work is playful, fun, and intuitively created. He focuses on primary colors, vibrant bold shapes, and a uniquely utilitarian layout in his art. Namely focusing on repeated shapes and patterns that break their own rules - characters float amongst the repetitive shapes, lines intersect and weave both above and below grid lines. Justice is a transgender artist, native to Raleigh, he graduated with a BA in Art+Design from the NCSU College of Design. He not only creates compelling and fun illustrations, but also unique porcelain sculptures, wooden furniture, and Risograph prints. He is a jack of all trades, and imbues a sense of playful utility in all of his work.

Jessica Wood

Jessica Wood grew up in rural North Carolina wedged between Pilot Mountain and Hanging Rock State Parks. Living across the road from her grandmother, she would run barefoot through lush grass and fresh air to sit, talk, eat, and gaze at flowers with her. Being inspired by her grandmother and her flower garden from a young age has helped to shape Jessica’s work. She now paints flowers to brighten the lives of those around her. Combining different mediums, Jessica creates vibrant, colorful paintings from her imagination that draw from past experiences and memories. Jessica holds a Bachelors of Fine Art degree from Western Carolina University. She currently lives and works in Raleigh, North Carolina.