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Providing year-around classes in Textiles, Pottery, Metals, Glass, Painting, Papermaking and other Art Forms.
6N158 CRANE ROAD
ST. CHARLES, ILLINOIS 60174
630.584.9443
FAX 630.584.9490
CENTER HOURS
Mon. - Sat. 10 AM - 5 PM
CLASSES
Mon. - Thurs. 9 AM - 9 PM
Fri. - Sat. 9 AM - 5 PM
About Us
Faculty
Glass, Metal and Jewelry
Amanda Schleede, Department Chair – Lampwork
Neil Anderson – Jewelry and Blacksmithing
Cherylyn Bredemannn - PMC (Precious Metal Clay)
Dan Caldwell – Blacksmithing
Claudia Engel-Rush – Fine
Jewelry
Mary Merges – Stained Glass
Denise Pizarro – Fused Glass
Maxine Peretz Prange – Beadwork
Fiber
Heather Winslow,
Department Chair – Weaving, Spinning, Knitting
Connie Blieszner – Frame
and Hand Knitting
Linda Buckner – Crochet
Lynn Caldwell – Kumihimo,
Ply-Split Braiding, Needle Felting, Weaving
Diana Evenson – Crochet
Dagmar Klos – Dyeing, Weaving
Laura Kochevar – Felting
Cindy Malovany - Weaving
Ellen Phillips – Basketry
Robin Schoenburg – Weaving, Sewing
Laura Wasilowski – Quilting
Pottery
Martha Griffith, Department Co-Chair
Jay Walsh, Department Co-Chair
Po-Wen Liu
Mary Ann Narveson
Tom Vician
2-D/Paper Arts
Carol Kazwick, Department Chair – Paper Arts
Cheryl Mahowald – Paper Arts
Christine Milostan – Watercolor,
Paper Arts
Kimberly Mullarkey – Drawing
Judith Niemet – Creativity
Ann Schuster – Watercolor
George Shipperley – Oil Pastel
Rosemary Smillie – Painting
Alyce Van Acker – Painting
Peter Julian Werner – Calligraphy
Carol Zack – Oil Pastel
NEIL ANDERSON
CONNIE
BLIESZNER
Connie
has worked with fibers most of her life, concentrating on expanding
her technical knitting skills. She has taught college-level textile
courses and been a guest lecturer for guilds. After a career as a chemical
engineer in the energy industry, Connie joined The Fine Line following
studies in fashion design. Her one-of-a-kind wearable artwork is inspired
by the countries on the Silk Road, incorporating their garment shapes
and textile designs. She has degrees from Northwestern University and
the University of Minnesota.
CHERYLYN
BREDEMANN
Cherylyn
Bredemann grew up in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago and has lived there
all her life. She graduated from American Academy of Art with a degree
in Graphic Design and Fine Art, and later received her Certification
in Precious Metal Clay (PMC). These days, she is a part-time Graphic
Designer and teaches various workshops at the Fine Line and elsewhere.
Because of her unrelenting curiosity for new things, she continues to explore many facets of art and design. Each of her artistic disciplines inspires ideas for the others. Her style as a PMC and mixed-media artist is considered eclectic, personal, funky and nostalgic.
LINDA BUCKNER
Linda
is an award winning fiber artist. She utilizes high quality fibers
in "luscious" colors, felt, fabric, antique embellishments,
wire and more to create visually stunning art to wear, collages, home
décor and gift items. She creates new products for a toy manufacturer,
teaches and exhibits mixed media art nationally. She is a contributing
designer to several Lark Book publications. Her website is www.lindabuckner.com.
DAN CALDWELL Dan has been creating custom knives, swords, and axes for 
almost 20 years. Each piece is unique and meticulously crafted. His eye for detail sets him apart. Ten years ago he began creating custom exterior iron art for high end landscape contractors, that has lead to many different wrought iron projcets. Dan has created custom gates, fireplace covers, grates and accessories He graduated from NIU with a BS in Design.
LYNN CALDWELL
A Northern Illinois native, Lynn earned a degree in Textiles and Clothing with
a minor in Art (weaving). She began her own business a few years out of school
creating her own line of handwoven apparel and accessories. Her work has
been shown in art shows and galleries nationally. She began teaching at The
Fine Line in 2003 specializing in kumihimo (Japanese braiding).
CLAUDIA
ENGEL-RUSH
Claudia says, "Art has been a driving force in my life." She began
as a graphic artist, working for an advertising agency while living in Canada.
Then, while raising four children, she would spend evening working in water
colors, stained glass and fibers. After moving to Illinois, she graduated from
NIU with a BFA and an MFA in metals and jewelry.
MARTHA GRIFFITH
I enjoy making things that are used in people's everyday activities. I also like to explore new forms which are non functional but bring a smile or sense of enjoyment to the owner. Ultimately, every thing is based on my love of clay a process of bringing it to its final state.
CAROL KAZWICK
Carol is a Chicago area based mixed media artist and instructor in hand papermaking and collage. Her artwork revolves around the themes of the natural world, landscape and the past. She holds a B.A. in art from North Central College and exhibits her work extensively in the Midwest. Her work is in the collection of the Kane County Judicial Building, the Hines Veteran Administration Hospital and is also in many private collections.
DAGMAR KLOS
Dagmar is a dye master, fiber artist, and teacher. Since 1995, she has served as copublisher and coeditor of the Turkey Red Journal, a newsletter dedicated to natural dyes; in 2002, she received the Handweavers Guild of America's Certificate of Excellence in Dyeing. Dagmar's colorful woven scarves appear in Handwoven Scarves (Interweave Press, 1999), and regularly grace the pages of Handwoven magazine. She lives in Chicago, Illinois.
PO-WEN
LIU
Po-Wen received his BFA degree in ceramics from the School for American Craft
at Rochester Institute of Technology. Po-Wen was the manuscript consultant
of the 2002 Newbery Medal award book, A Single Shard, by Linda Sue
Park, regarding making celadon wares. He received his MFA degree in ceramics
from Northern Illinois University in 2004 and is currently working on his
doctorate degree in Instruction Technology at the same university. Besides
teaching and study, he frequently travels and provides ceramic workshops
to schools and art centers in Illinois as well as in other states.
CHERYL MAHOWALD
"Paper was invented over 2000 years ago. My obsession with handmade paper began ten years ago. I was drawn to the sensory aspect and 'zen-like' quality of making paper by hand. I am a gardener and the idea of using plant fibers grown and harvested from my own yard appealed to me. Crafting a sheet of paper is like cooking a gourmet meal. The care and time invested provide a textural and visual feast. It is very satisfying, an art in itself."She hollds a B.A. from Iowa State University and has worked in the field of Art and Design since 1982.
CINDY MALOVANY 
I’ve been a fiber enthusiast most of my life, but my interest in antique textiles led me to weaving nearly 20 years ago, and since then it has been my focus. I’ve presented seminars, classes, lectures and workshops at area guilds and regional conferences, and I am currently the HGA representative for IL as well as a member of many study groups in Complex Weavers. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education from The Ohio State University, and continue my fiber education each year at conferences, and other fiber related events. Most recently I’ve won awards for my hand spun yarn. So, whether I am trying something new, or putting a new twist on something old, if it is fiber related I’m interested.
CHRISTINE
MILOSTAN
Principal of Milostan Creativity, Christine has taught young and old how to
be more creative. She serves as an adjunct faculty member of DePaul University
and College of DuPage where she teaches watercolor classes and several courses
on creativity. Her artwork has been exhibited locally and internationally.
She has a BA from DePaul University. She has attended professional art workshops
as well as courses at De Paul University, Fine Line Art Center, and School
of Fine Arts in Florence, Italy. Her creativity workbook, Breathe, Push,
Create, was published in 2006.
KIMBERLY MULLARKEY
I am atracted to the ordinary. I collect bits and pieces of nature.
Art is a process of questioning, gathering and arranging, cycles of time and timelessness, wonder and awe. Bones, pomegranates and seeds are representative of life and death, endless potential, beauty and decay, holders of the past and future
MARY
ANN NARVESON
Dedicated
to the art of hand building techniques and the color cobalt blue, Mary
Ann can be seen in the pottery studio creating anything from tiny angels
to large fountain basins, three-headed dragons, cats dressed to the nines,
and chickens with punk hair-do's. Students in her classes will receive
instruction in the techniques necessary for successful construction of
works large and small, serious or whimsical, as well as introduction
to non-traditional glazes and patinas. Besides being an active member
of The Fine Line, she is a member of the Clayworkers' Guild and the Fox
Valley Arts Council. She has also enjoyed a long friendship with the
Suburban Fine Arts Center in Highland Park, where she was fondly known
as "the Witch Lady".
JUDITH
NIEMET
Judith's art training includes drawing, design, collage, painting, printmaking,
pottery and many forms of expression. Teaching art at all levels, she has been
able to share the value and richness of creative expression. Creativity as
energy to heal led her to art therapy and experiences in education, health
care, retreats and eldercare.
GEORGE
SHIPPERLEY
A resident of Aurora, Illinois, since the 1950s, George retired from his sales
career in 1994 and began to follow his passion for art. An impressionistic
artist with an emphasis on originality, creativity and color, George specializes
in Pastel, Acrylic, and Oil Stick mediums. His work can be viewed in the Chicago
Metropolitan and Fox Valley areas Fine Art Shows and throughout the year at
Henrich Art Gallery. George says, "With the exception of cityscapes and
portraits, the majority of my work is imaginary; this method allows me the
unlimited freedom of design and composition. As for the medium, I prefer oil
pastels because of their versatility and extraordinary selection of colors."
ANN SHUSTER
Ann's
interest in art began in 1988 with a seminar on "Better Mental
Health for Women" put on by the local hospital. She was introduced
to the Elgin Community College Art Department and subsequently an art
instructor from Phoenix who opened the door to watercolors. She says, "I
chose to walk through that door into the world of transparent watercolors
and have never turned back." Ann has exhibited in many outdoor
and indoor shows and has had her work in the gift gallery at Nordstroms.
ROSEMARY
SMILLIE
Rosemary
is a full time free lance artist of wall hangings in brass and paintings
in oil, watercolor and pastel. She has signature status in the Pennsylvania
Watercolor Society. A commercial art graduate, she has furthered her
education in the Fine Arts. Rosemary's work has hung in the House of
Representatives, Washington D.C., private and corporate collections
in Texas, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, California as well as England and
Russia. Two of her large brass wall pieces are hung at the Math and
Science Academy, Aurora, Illinois. Although she works in multi-mediums,
she particularly enjoys the freedom of watercolor. Beginning with an
abstraction of colors, she develops shapes and spaces until the finished
painting materializes... a transposing of images from the subconscious
to the paper. See her work at www.egos4.com.
ALYCE VAN ACKER
Alyce was born and grew up in Wayne, IL. After entering the Dominican Sisters
ofAdrian, Michigan, she became a teacher, working in Michigan, California
and Florida. After acquiring an MA in painting, she partnered in an art gallery
shop and became an instructor at the Fine Line Creative Arts Center.
JAY WALSH
I am a teacher and ceramic artist. My primary focus is on classical forms and combined pieces which incorporate traditional oriental glazes. I am influenced by traditional Chinese and Japanese forms as well as the Arts and Crafts movement styles. My attempts are to use these forms and glazes in more non-traditional methods.
LAURA WASILOWSKI
Laura creates art quilts. Her colorful, narrative pieces are made from her
hand-dyed and fused fabrics which are machine quilted. She exhibits her art
work internationally. Owner of the dye shop, Artfabrik, a lecturer, quilt
instructor, Laura is also author of Fusing Fun: Fast Fearless Art Quilts.
HEATHER
WINSLOW
Heather is a fibre artist specializing in nature-inspired, classical hand-woven
clothing. She also enjoys knitting, hand dyeing, and spinning and teaches locally,
nationally, and internationally. Heather is the author of MORE ON MOORMAN:
Theo Moorman Inlay Adapted to Clothing, and many articles in fibre magazines.
CAROL ZACK 
Carol
Zack is a Chicago area artist whose background includes a BA and MA
in Art Education. She started her career teaching art in Rantoul, Illinois
and also taught art at the University of Illinois and Ball State University.
Carol also worked as a visual merchant at Sears Corporate, but recently
started her own art business, creating oil pastel paintings, teaching,
and exhibiting. She is a member of the Fine Line Creative Arts Center,
the Chicago Artist Coalition, and the Oil Pastel Society. E-mail: carol@zackartistry.com Website: www.zackartistry.com.