AAH Teacher Bios

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Hildegard Becker - Clay Sculpture

Hildegard will teach the Clay Sculpture Class, beginning September 15, for the Fall Semester. Hildegard says, “I consider it extremely fortunate that my educational as well as my professional life has been divided between Germany, the country of my birth, and the United States, the country of my choice.” She goes on to say that she has profited from this multi-cultural exposure, the opportunity of extensive travel it offered, and the varied approaches to life in general, and art in particular. Although she received her early education in Germany, Hildegard received her BA in Literature and her teaching certification for secondary schools in the US. She taught in both countries for over 25 years. Her commitment to a representational, rather than an abstract, style is deliberate, since she chooses to interpret themes encountered in everyday life, especially people and the beautiful fragility of the natural environment.

Kathy Busillo - Basic Acrylic

Kathy Busillo graduated with a BFA in Illustration from the University of the Arts (Philadelphia College of Art). She was a freelance artist in advertising for several years before moving to central Pennsylvania. After taking time off to start her family, Kathy returned to art a few years ago with plein air painting. Kathy has been teaching impressionist painting, basic oil painting classes and painting workshops in Tuscany. She has won a number of awards and has participated in shows throughout Pennsylvania and nationally with the American Impressionist Society. Kathy is currently represented by The Village Artisans Gallery, Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania and in the Philadelphia area by The Chestnut Hill Gallery on Germantown Avenue.

Gabriel Middleton - Fantasy Art

Gabriel is a Harrisburg native who has been an avid illustrator and art-lover since early childhood. Maintaining a passion for fantasy, he is influenced by artists such as Frank Frazetta, Brian Froud, and Alan Lee, as well as comic-book illustrators. At age 34, Gabriel continues his career as a commissioned artist for several media, including book covers, commercial paintings, and private works. Coincidentally, Gabriel’s grandmother Helen Middleton was the long-time volunteer reception coordinator for the Art Association in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, and he attended high school with the AAH President’s son - Dylan Crayton Thomas!

Steve Wetzel - Landscape Painting

Steve currently lives near Harrisburg, but remains close to the Susquehanna River, which continues to be a popular subject in many of his landscape paintings. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Bloomsburg University in 1978 and began to study painting in the mid 1980’s with Carrie Wissler-Thomas at the Art Association of Harrisburg. More recently he has been a student of Lancaster County artist John David Wissler, the popular plein air landscape instructor at the Art Association of Harrisburg,

Steve is a member of the well-known group from Central Pennsylvania called The Seven Lively Artists. He has had numerous solo exhibits and has been included in many group and invitational shows, including the annual juried “Art of the State” exhibition held at the Pennsylvania State Museum, an exhibit of works by the Seven Lively Artists at the Cape Cod Museum of Art in Dennis, MA, scheduled for June 2010, and the Washington Arts Club in the nation’s capitol, also scheduled for sometime later in the year of 2010.