Educator Archives - MiddlesexCreates.com

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Medha Atre-Kulkarni

Educator; Visual Artist

Medha is an artist & art teacher from East Brunswick, NJ. Having a passion for art since childhood, she always wanted to be an artist ever since she remembers. Growing up in India. She is a B.F.A from the prestigious art university Sir. J.J. School of Arts. She has been painting & exhibiting in USA for many years. Medha has won several award for her art in several prestigious art exhibitions. Few of her notable exhibitions are Solo show in Indian Consulate in NYC, group shows with Garden state Watercolor Society, New Jersey watercolor society, Ellarslie Mansion Museum /Trenton city Musem, Monmouth Art Museum, New York Art Expo 2019. Several of her paintings are in private & public collection in USA & India. Several notable places that own & display her paintings are Indian consulate in NYC, School library mural in Lanning Ave School in Verona NJ, mural & figurative paintings in Mejwani restaurant in South Plainfield NJ. Her portraits are in several private homes. She masters & paints in several mediums including Oil, acrylics, watercolors, pencils, charcoals & pastels. She also conducts art classes, workshops & art parties. She has given water color demonstrations at Garden State watercolor society & Hunterdon water color society.

Cristina Hoyos

Educator; Visual Artist

Cristina Hoyos, an artist from Colombia, is a postmodern Surrealist who explores the theme of the “Witness” through the ubiquitous image of a mysterious eye in the sky that appears in many of her paintings, collages and drawings. Hoyos’ compositions are visionary journeys depicting fragmented figures in metaphysical spaces in luminous colors that enhance their dreamlike imagery. The addition of organic material such as leaves, in some of her smaller mixed media works adds to the poetry that makes Cristina Hoyos an appealing and compelling painter of “dreamscapes”.

Ramya Ramnarayan

Choreographer; Dancer; Educator

Counted among the leading exponents of Bharatanatyam today, Ramya Ramnarayan combines legacy, expertise and experience. A protégé of two exponents of the dance form, Kalaimamani, SK Rajarathnam Pillai and Padma Bhushan Kalanidhi Narayanan, Ramya is recognized as a capable performer, choreographer, educator and a torch bearer of this art, who blends tradition with innovation.

Areej Sabzwari

Educator; Visual Artist

Areej Sabzwari designs through a modern lens with simplicity at the heart of it. A design enthusiast, her approach is rooted in concept that places emphasis on creating an emotional connection with the user and the environment. Her work reflects a message of mahabbah (love), ikhlaas (sincerity), faaliyah (performance), and shukr (gratitude). Areej is currently a designer at NBBJ’s New York office. She also runs her art studio with a focus on Islamic art and calligraphy. Areej holds a Bachelor of Architecture from New Jersey Institute of Technology, a Master of City and Regional Planning from Rutgers University, and is a LEED Accredited Professional in Building Design and Construction with the United States Green Building Council. She resides in Manhattan with her husband and is currently working towards her Architecture license under the State of New York.

Tchin

Educator; Entertainer; Lecturer; Music; Visual Artist

Tchin (pronounced ‘chin) is a nationally known, multi-award winning artist. He was born in Norfolk, Virginia and lived in rural Virginia and Rhode Island where he received his early schooling. He attended the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico and graduated from Rhode Island School of Design with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. He is an accomplished metalsmith, author, flutemaker, educator, lecturer, folklorist, musician, entertainer and clothes maker. He lives with his wife and looks forward to many visits from his four daughters and eight grandchildren.

Gail Thompson

Educator; Entertainer; Lecturer; Storyteller

Gail Thompson was born in Hawaii and currently lives in New Jersey. Ms. Thompson curates a Hawaiian History and Culture program as well as facilitates embroidery workshops for women. She graduated from Toastmasters International where she earned a certificate in public speaking. She finds her purpose in life is sharing her culture with others. Ms. Thompson is a proud Hawaiian, and hopes her lectures entice people to visit her beautiful homeland. The Hawaiian History and Culture programs include interactive demonstrations by the artist where she brings in traditional objects as well as a movement demonstration of the hula dance.(Please find the agenda for the Hawaiian History and Culture Program below) Ms. Thompson also facilitates a mini series of embroidery workshops for beginners. This is also a good class for women who know how to embroider but have not done so for a long time. Throughout the duration of the series, Ms. Thompson teaches students five embroidery stitches where they stitch a prepared design. The artist also offers an advanced embroidery workshop for anyone who has completed her beginner series. If you would like to hire to Ms. Gail Thompson for an embroidery workshop and/or for her Hawaiian History and Culture workshop, please make sure to email her @ quilt23lady@gmail.com.

Miguel "Miguelo" Valdes

Author; Educator; Music: Composition, Instrumentalist, Music Educator, Songwriter, Vocalist

Miguel Valdes (Miguelo) – Leader and Percussion and choirs. Was born in the Havana province of Cuba, comes from a highly musical family, including a father who was one of the top percussionists of the esteemed Conjunto Folklorico Nacional de Cuba. Is a percussionist graduate from the Havana National School of Art Instructors (ENIA). After extensive training, Valdes soon found himself with a flourishing career, and was performing all over Cuba with many great musicians of different styles Richard Egues, Tropicana, La Ley. Valdes has collaborated with many talented musicians and groups, including Orquesta Filarmonica de Mexico, Gonzalo Romeu, Grupo Bandula, Elvis Crespo, Celia Cruz Albita Rodriguez, Lena Burke, Emmanuel, Natalia Jimenez, Yomira John, Dennis D’ Kalaff, Ricardo Montaner, Miky Tavera, Yuri. He also toured and worked regularly with Juan De Marcos Afro Cuban All Stars (Buena Vista). In 2010 Valdes left Mexico to come to US where he now resides permanently, since his arrival he has collaborated with many American and Latino Artists like McCoy Tyner All Stars, Francisco Mela, Rachel Ferrer, Tony Perez, Kambalache, Steve Turre, Matt Dillon, Fellove, Patato Valdes, Elio Villafranca, Mac Gollehon, Vince Herring, Dion Person, Sexteto NY, Itai Kriss, Abdou M’boup, Alex Matos, Nachito Herrera, Michel RoosWomen & New Yoruba’s, Los Hacheros, Cotton Club Big Band, Willy Chirino, Sister Sledge-Debbie Sledge, Frank Owens, Ty Stephens, John Faddis, Terell Stafford. He has three of his own CD’s and has recorded in more than forty different artists.

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