Kelly Alison studied painting at West Texas State University in Canyon, Texas, under David Rindlisbaucher and she studied philosophy at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Moving to The University of Houston her junior year, she was one of the students involved with the original Lawndale Art Annex, where she studied under Richard Stout, Gael Stack, John Alexander, and James Surls. Kelly Alison's figurative work has been exhibited in National and International museums, as well as published in books, catalogs and magazines such as Art in America, Texas Monthly and Town and Country. Alison's work is on permanent exhibition in downtown Houston as part of the Wayfinder project and her work can be seen in many public collections. Click here to view a full resume and images of Kelly's artwork.

Salli Babbitt graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a BFA, and has studied at the University of Texas San Antonio and Sam Houston State. Her award-winning work has been acquired by corporations and collectors from around the world. Her most recent solo exhibition at Deborah Colton Gallery showcased a multi-media exhibition investigating the role and expression of the feminine in contemporary culture. She has been teaching classes at Art League Houston over 10 years.To view images of Salli's work click here Salli Art.

Hagit Barkai is an Israeli painter living and working in the U.S. She received an MFA from Penn State University and a B.A. in Philosophy from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Prior to her MFA she studied at the Jerusalem Studio School Master Class in Israel. Her paintings have been exhibited at Chashama Gallery in New York, Crane Arts Gallery in Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania State Museum in Harrisburg. She was awarded the 2008 College Art Association Professional Development Fellowship and represented Penn State University in Big Ten MFA Exhibition in Chicago. At Penn State University she received a first place award in the University-wide Graduate Research Exhibition and a Travel Grant to Israel from The school of Visual Arts.

Vachu Chilakamarri has been in numerous juried and solo exhibitions, at places such as Dayton Visual Art Center, Miamisburg Art Gallery, and Fairborn Art Association. Most recently, she had a solo exhibition at Intexure Gallery, Houston. She has won multiple awards including the Furtherance Fund Artist Grant in 2002. After receiving a BS in Biology she studied the figure and anatomy at Columbus College of Art & Design and Central State University. In addition to classes at ALH she teaches part-time at Kingwood College. To view images of Vachu's work click here Vachu Art.

Cholla is a celebrated area portrait artist who worked as a court room sketch artist for NBC News for several years before pursuing art as a full time career. She studied at the Art Student’s League in New York where she was greatly influenced by Rafael Soyer’s naturalist style. Her work is collected and exhibited worldwide. She lives and works full-time as a studio artist in Houston, and has been teaching classes for Art League Houston for 40 years! For examples of Cholla's work click here Cholla Art

Cynthia Coffield received her BFA in Printmaking and Drawing from Washington University in St. Louis. In school, Ms. Coffield focused on printmaking, painting, graphic design, and ancient to modern art history. She continued her education at the Frogman’s Workshop for digital and silkscreen/safe etching in Vermillion, South Dakota in 2006 and continues working as a freelance graphic designer in Houston, Texas. Ms. Coffield received the Belle Creeley Award for Printmaking in 2005, and was a National Merit Scholar.

Tara Conley lives and works in Houston, Texas. She has a BFA in Metalsmithing and Jewelry from the School for American Crafts at Rochester Institute of Technology and is a former ALH board member. Ms. Conley has exhibited her sculptures in Houston and throughout the United States for ten years. Most recently, she became an Artist in Residence at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, and has since been invited to exhibit her 8’ tall bronze Bunny in Lafayette Square, New Orleans, LA as part of the two year Sculpture for New Orleans exhibition.

Ruben Coy studied at the University of Houston and The Houston Museum of Fine Arts School. An instructor for 24 years, his works are found in numerous exhibitions, museums, galleries and collections. His popular rainforest paintings reference the mind's eye– with the theme of earth as a sacred place, they evoke both religious and sensuous feelings. Ruben has been teaching at Art League Houston for over 15 years. He specializes in glazing techniques with oils. Examples of his work can be found on his website. To view his work click here.

Kermit Eisenhut works as a muralist, designer and illustrator, as well as a studio artist. Named Best Artist by the Houston Press in 2000, his work is seen throughout the city in numerous exhibitions and collections. To read about and view images by Kermit visit his website at www.kermitart.com

Lisa Marie Godfrey's mixed-media works on paper are often combined with small sculptures, modified found objects, and direct wall painting to create narrative installations. She recently had a solo exhibition, Haunt, at Apama Mackey Gallery and was a presenting artist in the Contemporary Art Museum’s ongoing lecture series, Slide Jam! Godfrey has exhibited in Houston, Austin, Indianapolis, St. Louis, Ottawa and Montreal and is scheduled for a solo exhibition January 2009 in Austin. Ms. Godfrey finds balance between her interest in editioned books, zines and artwork by working and part-time curating at Domy Books, Houston.

Caroline Graham, a signature member of the Watercolor Artists Society, began studying art at the Witte Museum and McNay Art Institute in San Antonio. Continuing in the arts, she received her MA from the University of Texas at Austin.  Her love of figures and portraits eventually led to study in the Anatomy Lab at the Baylor College of Medicine. An award winning watercolorist and studio artist, her work is included in numerous exhibitions and collections. Her commissions are seen all over Houston, and collected throughout the country. She has been teaching at Art League Houston for over 12 years.

Laurie Humble  After receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Texas State University, Laurie Humble worked in many mediums before settling on transparent watercolor. She has concentrated on her love of watercolor and drawing for the last five years.  Her watercolors have appeared in more than Fifty National and International Exhibitions. Included are such prestigious shows as, the American Watercolor Society, The American Artists Professional League, Watercolor USA, and the Adirondacks National Exhibition of American Watercolors. Her work has garnered numerous awards.  Laurie is a signature member of the Texas Watercolor Society, the National Society of Artists, Eastern Washington Watercolor Society, Montana Watercolor Society, Georgia Watercolor Society, Missouri Watercolor Society, and the Watercolor Society of Alabama.

Her work was the subject of a feature article, entitled Three Key Elements of a Successful Painting: Focal Point, Composition, and Depth, in the March 2005 issue of American Artist Magazine, appeared in the Art Values section of Southwest Art, in the June 2006 issue, and the Studio Access section of International Artist, in the December/January 2007 issue. Laurie is currently working with NorthLight Books on a watercolor instructional book, due out in 2008. To view Laurie's work click here.

Kathy Kennedy graduated from the University of Houston with an MFA in Jewelry and Metalsmithing. She has over 20 years of experience as a professional bench jeweler and jewelry designer. Her work covers a wide range, from whimsical sculptures to traditional designs. When designing for pleasure, color and humor are a top priority. Vast experience gives Kathy a broad range of knowledge and skills which she extends to her classes.

Polly Liu received a BA and BFA from the Dominican College, Houston, an MFA from the Dominican Fine Art Institute in Florence, Italy, and also completed graduate studies at UH, University of St. Thomas, and in Florence, Italy. She works as an art consultant, art director and calligrapher. She has received numerous exhibitions honors, and her work is in private collections in Europe and Canada. Ms. Liu is an accomplished teacher whose range encompasses Classical Methods, Watercolor, Chinese Painting techniques, and calligraphy. She extensively works in portraiture, figurative and landscape painting, which she considers specialty areas. Click here to view examples of Polly's work.

Cheryl Lucas Cheryl Lucas,a lifetime potter, discovered PMC in 2001. She currently teaches PMC nationally and internationally. Her work is in many private collections throughout the US and Mexico. She is a certified Level 2 Instructor with the PMC Connection and additionally through the PMC Guild and Art Clay World.

Steve Parker is a graduate of the Texas Academy of Art and has taught for over 20 years. He is a full time studio artist, and his work can be seen inmany exhibitions, as well as private and public collections.“Part memory, part observation, part intuitive response to deeplyfelt experiences, Steve Parker’s landscapes evoke in the viewer the feeling of havingremembered something long forgotten, a place once visited. There is a feeling of recognition, of the familiar and yet the  elusive.” - Michael Chmiel, Owner, Jack Meier Gallery. To view images of his work and a detailed resume visit his website at www.steveparkerart.com or click here Steve Parker Art for additional images of his work.

Armando Rodriguez was born in Mexico and moved to the U.S. as a child. He received a BFA in Printmaking from the University of Houston in 1982. He works in many media including photography, printmaking (etching, lithography, and monotype), graphic design and bookmaking. In addition to teaching at Art League Houston, he also works for the Houston Chronicle and in the education department of the Museum of Fine Arts Houston.

Mary Rogers received her MS from the University of Houston, Clear Lake, and her BS in Art Education from the University of Northern Illinois. She is an instructor at Bellaire High School and an award-winning, nationally recognized jeweler and metal-smith. In 2006 the Texas Commission on the Arts honored Mary as a “Texas Original” for her outstanding craftsmanship and high artistic standards. To view images of her jewelry visit her website at www.maryrogersjewelry.com or click here.

Ann Rush ’s journey into the field of Art Jewelry has been anything but typical. While teaching Earth Science, Ann developed a great appreciation for precious metals and stones and the processes within the planes that created them. Creating jewelry became, for her, a natural extension of this passion. Metal Clay, and Metalsmithing became her primary focus. Ann Rush is a Senior Instructor with Art Clay Silver and a Certified Artisan with both PMC Connection and Rio Grande. She has taught Metal Clay and Glass fusing classes to adults, teens, and those with learning and with physical disabilities. Her designs are found across the nation.

Gary Schott , originally from Wisconsin, now resides in Austin, Texas working as an educator and studio artist. In addition to his current role as an instructor for the Southwest School of Art and Craft in San Antonio, he was a visiting assistant professor for the Art Metal/Jewelry Program during 2007-2008 at Stephen F. Austin State University. Mr. Schott received his BFA from the University of Wisconsin-Stout in 2004 and earned an MFA from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2007. His work is currently featured in Content in Contemporary Jewelry Design and Metalsmithing, hosted by Texas Tech University, wood/metal/glass, at the Rockport Center for the Arts.

Howard Sherman received his BA in Studio Art from the University of Texas, and his MFA from the University of North Texas in Denton. His work has been featured in New American Painting, Volume 60 and Volume 72, and is included in a two-year traveling exhibition titled New American Talent, which was organized by Arthouse in Austin, Texas, and selected by Aimee Chang, formerly of the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles. He was recently selected for a three-month residency at the McColl Center for Visual Art in Charlotte, North Carolina. Mr. Sherman will have his first solo museum exhibition in fall 2008 at the Art Museum of Southeast Texas in Beaumont.

Emily Sloan is currently a teaching fellow and MFA candidate at the University of Houston. She has a MA from Stephen F. Austin State University and participated in the New York Studio School's Drawing Marathon in 2004. Sloan's work incorporates drawing, sculpture and painting. Many of her pieces use humor to engage the viewer in a dialogue about the environment and preoccupations with the social. To view more of her artwork visit: www.emilysloanblog.blogspot.com