Curtis Center for the Arts Instructors

Meet the instructors of the Curtis Center for the Arts!  All classes at the Curtis Center are instructed by professional artists, staff, and certified teachers who strive to provide the best educational experience for all artistic levels.  Learn about the instructors, view their artwork, and find out what classes they are teaching.

Behnaz Ahmadian

Colorful print of puppiesBehnaz Ahmadian is a self-taught artist based in Highlands Ranch, CO. She was born in Iran and raised in the United States. She is an Artist, Interior Designer and Art Instructor. After becoming an Interior Designer, she was inspired to create her line of colorful pieces of art. Her sense for color and pattern, creates pieces that are truly unique. To learn more about Behnaz visit her website at www.behnazahmadian.com.

Classes and Workshops 

  • Colored Pencil for Kids
  • Observational Drawing for Kids
  • Colored Pencils
  • Mixed Media Workshops
  • Observational Drawing

Christa MacFarlane

Christa MacFarlaneChrista is an artist for life and an art teacher for more than 20 years. As a native Kansas gal, she obtained her BFA degree majoring in design at the University of Kansas. Currently, Christa is a professional artist and leads artistic workshops throughout the Denver area. She pursues what she is passionate about; making art and walking alongside others as they experience the creative process. Learn more about Christa by visiting her website at www.christamacfarlane.com

"A life without the ability to express myself through the arts is not an option; it’s a must. I am continually reminded to abandon fear, to live abundantly and to find beauty in all things" - Christa MacFarlane

Classes

  • Acrylic Painting and Collage


Christian Dore

Abstract buffalo paintingBorn in Kent, England in 1970, Christian Dore spent most of his childhood living abroad. At the age of 13 he returned home to settle in the small village of Shorne in Kent. At age he was accepted into the Kent Institute of Art and Design before continuing his education at the prestigious Bournemouthe and Poole College of Art. His career began as a motion graphic artist for the BBC as well as MTV and Nickelodeon. After moving to the Colorado foothills, it was here that Dore’s work evolved into the work that is owned in private collections throughout the world. Dore’s work explores the Impressionism of the lush environment around him. He takes the expressive qualities of color and mixes them with a somewhat whimsical narrative to capture his feelings. Learn more about Christian by visiting his website at www.christiandore.com

Classes

  • Abstract Colorado Sketching
  • Painting

Cliff AustinDamn The Wind by Cliff Austin

Cliff has lived in the Denver metro area for over 50 years. He graduated from the Rocky Mountain School of Art in 1980 after discovering his love of drawing while working as a patent draftsman and illustrator at a small drafting shop and has been creating art ever since.

Visit http://www.cliffaustin.com/ to read more about Cliff.

Classes

  • Landscape Painting with Oils
  • Live Model Quick Sketch
  • Pastel Landscape Painting
  • Acrylic Landscape Painting
  • Abstract and Still Life Acrylic Painting
  • Watercolor and Gouache Sketching
  • Watercolor for Beginners

Katie Trapp

Mixed media art piece of mountainsKatie is from New Orleans and enjoys teaching, primarily mixed media projects for kids but can teach any medium. Katie received her artistic training from the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts and the School of Art Institute of Chicago. Follow Katie on social media @ktrappart.

Classes

  • Acrylic Painting
  • Teen Summer Art Studio
  • Art in the Park
  • Adult Assemblages
  • Acrylic Pet Portraits
  • Pee Wee Art
  • Mixed Media Art

Elizabeth Rouland

Oil painting of person walking three dogs on leashElizabeth shows her oil paintings and limited edition prints in solo and group exhibitions around Colorado including Fort Collins Museum of Art, Framed Image Gallery, Knoll Gallery, Lone Tree Arts Center, Anderson Ranch, PACE Center, and the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). To learn more about Elizabeth visit her website at https://www.elizabethrouland.com/

  • Beginner's Oil Painting
  • Still Life Oil Painting
  • Open Studio Oil Painting

Julia Rymer

Julia Rymer - Abstract FundamentalsJulia Rymer is an artist and art educator with over 10 years of teaching experience for both kids and adults. Her classes encourage expression and exploration of process while learning the fundamentals of painting and design. She holds an MFA in Painting from Pratt Institute and a BFA in Painting from the University of Denver. Her abstract paintings are deeply influenced by a childhood spent in the Colorado environment, and she is happy to call it home. To learn more about Julia visit her website at http://www.juliarymer.com/

Classes

  • Beginner's Watercolor
  • Teen Summer Art Studio
  • Expressive Mixed Media for Kids
  • Geometric Abstraction for Teens
  • Essence of Drawing
  • Spurring Creativity

Maggie Stewart

Silk multi-colored painting with natural shapesMaggie Stewart is a professional artist, Colorado native, and owner of Mama’s Belly Inc., a company specializing in bronze belly bowls. She creates work in many mediums including silk, photography, stone, and found objects. Maggie has taught for over twenty-five years in a variety of museums, art centers and schools. She and her husband have a studio in Denver where they often collaborate. Maggie sells her art worldwide. For more information about Maggie visit her website at http://maggiestewart.com/

Classes

  • Ceramics for Kids and Adults
  • Painting Like Pollock
  • Printmaking
  • Encaustic and Paper Sculpture
  • Suminagashi

Michael Dowling 

Figure drawing of a woman with white hairMichael Dowling, a Colorado native, was born in Denver in 1972. He began drawing at a very young age but didn’t begin to study formally until the age of 24. After several years of study in studio practices, Michael sold the business he owned and moved to Florence, Italy to focus on making art and expanding his skills. He completed his studies at Il Instituto de Art, Scuola Lorenzo de Medici in 2002 with focuses in studio practice and contemporary theory. While in Florence, Michael studied under the duo Rosenclaire (Rose Shakinovski & Claire Gavronsky) who continue to be his mentors and advisors. 

Classes

  • Figure Drawing

Rick Brogan

Pencil sketch of bushes and rocks in front of a foothillRick Brogan has been painting full-time for over 20 years and has worked as an illustrator, cartoonist and production designer.  Although Rick Brogan was born in Montana, he has enough ties to Colorado to be considered a native. His credentials and attention to detail have helped him create an enviable niche in the art world. With a master’s degree in art from the University of Denver, he worked as an animator in Hollywood, an illustrator for Martin Marietta (now Lockheed Martin), an Art Director in the Denver area and a freelance artist. His work is included in many collections, including the Xcel Energy collection.

Classes

  • Drawing and Sketching 
  • Watercolor Studio

Victoria Eubanks

Encaustic Workshops with Victoria EubanksVictoria Eubanks brings thirty years of graphic sensibility and design experience to her art studio. She has been teaching encaustic workshops since 2009, and her enthusiasm and passion for the medium is evident. Victoria serves on the board of directors at Arts Students League of Denver, Recent recognition includes a coveted Best of SAM award, Best in Fine Art award from the Castle Rock Chamber 2017, and Featured Artist for the 2017 Fine Art Market at the Arvada Center. Victoria has twice curated the biannual WAX Stories juried exhibition in Denver, 2015 and 2017. She is a long-time member of the MIX Co-op at the Niza Knoll Gallery, Denver and a founding member of EXPAND artists, who exhibit together. She is a member of the Encaustic Arts Institute in Santa Fe, NM and the International Encaustic Artists. To learn more about Victoria visit her website at VictoriaEubanksArt.com

Classes

          • Alternative Printmaking Techniques
          • Basic Encaustic Techniques
          • Expand and Experiment with Encaustic