Abby Girand began her ceramics career at Valencia College, where she earned an Associate of Arts degree in Studio Art. She later attended the University of Central Florida, receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree as well as the President’s Award, which granted her the honor of having her ceramic works purchased and permanently displayed in the President’s Office.

Abby strives to cultivate greater accessibility to art and ceramics for people from all backgrounds, while educating her students on the lasting impact and responsibility that comes with engaging in a permanent art form. She enjoys creating functional and nonfunctional art exploring topics of nature and technology, mental health, and interpersonal relationships.

Growth as an artist is directly related to the acceptance of one’s self as an individual who dresses, talks, visualizes and creates differently from any other human. In fact, we are unique functioning designs. The more I embrace this the more freedom I exhibit as an artist. Understanding this, coupled with the history of art and a working knowledge of technical and visual language skills, enables me to create. These distinct aesthetic and sociological experiences create values and circumstances that shape my life and in turn impact my artwork. It is the pursuit of this individualism that is important to me. All artists are connected by history, visual elements, and principles of design. However, it is who we are and how we visually interpret the environment that creates our individual identities as artists. Growing up in rural Mississippi was challenging.  Traditions such as storytelling, family, and faith had a tremendous affect in shaping my work. These traditions and experiences shaped my values. I see it as a refreshing force in a world that can sometimes be cold, static and impersonal. My philosophy is a balance between intellect and superstition, science and magic, New York and Mississippi. Currently, I am involved with a more sculptural approach to the vessel and recently have returned to a mixed media form of painting and drawing.

The Enjoyment of the Arts
With an undergraduate degree in graphic design and photography from Florida Atlantic University and a master’s degree in art education from the University of Florida, Caryn has dedicated the past 17 years to inspiring students as an art teacher. For the last 7 years, she has specialized in teaching digital photography, focusing on the dynamic tools of Photoshop and Illustrator. Caryn’s career has been predominantly in high schools, with valuable experiences in middle schools as well.

Before Caryn’s journey in education, she began her career as a freelance newspaper photographer and artist, with works proudly featured in various shows and publications. Caryn’s passion for the arts extends beyond the classroom, as she is currently immersing herself in jewelry classes at Crealdé, always eager to explore and learn new artistic disciplines.

Caryn’s teaching philosophy centers on providing a comprehensive and enjoyable learning experience. She encourages students to incorporate their interests into their work, employing an individual needs-based approach to make learning photography, Photoshop, and Illustrator engaging and motivating. Caryn’s goal is to instill a sense of curiosity, ownership, and love for the arts in her students, welcoming learners of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels.

Julie’s paintings are inspired by the flora and fauna of the natural world, and she loves painting the delightful colors of Florida’s namesake flowers. She has studied watercolor painting locally at Crealdé School of Art, with local artist Katie Holt, and in numerous workshops with professional artists. She has been a member of the Central Florida Watercolor Society for four years and is the current Vice President. Her work has been shown in juried shows through CFWS at the Orlando Science Center in Orlando, the Center for Health and Wellness in Winter Park, and the Mount Dora Center for the Arts. Her art is exhibited at the Avalon Park Art and Cultural Center, and she participates in volunteering, teaching watercolor painting, and other events at the Center. She is enthusiastic about sharing the joys of watercolor painting with her students.

Marcos Carrasco is a multidisciplinary artist, animator, sculptor, educator, photographer,

filmmaker, painter, illustrator, and jazz musician. He has an MFA in Emerging Media

(Animation and Visual Effects) from UCF, a BFA in Animation from SCAD, and a BFA in

Graphic Design from the University Autonomous of Guadalajara. His artwork combines

traditional disciplines, CGI and VR techniques. And it has been exhibited in museums

and film festivals worldwide.

Camille Castronovo grew up in a household of creatives, exposed to her mother’s artistic eye for color and decorative abilities and her father’s woodworking and craftsman DIY adventures in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
She received her BFA in Ceramics from PennWest in California PA in 2019.

She is currently working on expanding her portfolio and gaining inspiration from the natural world and the intensity of human emotion.