Meet the Instructors

NICK WHITE

Nicholas White born in Michigan, lived in Arizona. Now resides in Solon.  15 years public and private art education teaching experience. Grades 6-12. Bachelors of Fine Arts w/ Teaching Cert . Master in Education- Curriculum and Instruction For nine years, Nick worked as a fine arts teacher at Sunnyslope High School in Phoenix, Arizona, teaching both two-dimensional and three-dimensional art. Previously he taught middle school art in Phoenix. Last year his teaching position was at Notre Dame Cathedral Latin High School teaching ceramics, painting, and drawing. Nick is also a stay at home dad. Nawartedu.com 

SHERI FRIED

Sheri Fried earned a bachelor of Art Education at Ohio State and Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Cleveland State. Mrs. Fried was an elementary art teacher for almost 30 years in Cleveland Heights. Currently she teaches art classes at SCA, Solon senior center, as well as the JCC, for artists of all ages. I love introducing new art techniques, such as glass fusing and staying current with new art making processes to share and explore in my classes. I feel fortunate to now teach in the community in which I live, working alongside neighbors and friends.

KIM GREY

Kim Grey earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Art Education and Individual and Family Studies from Kent State University. She taught elementary and middle school art in the classroom for Akron Public Schools and Euclid Public Schools. She grew up in Solon and now Kim and her husband raise their two daughters in the community. She loves working with the students at the Solon Arts Center to help them grow their artistic skills and have fun being creative.

TANYA LONG

Tanya Long is a visual artist from New York currently residing in Cleveland, Ohio. She received her Master of Fine Arts degree in ceramics from Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan and her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Pratt Institute in New York. Tanya has been working with ceramics for over a decade and has exhibited her work at galleries and arts festivals across the midwest, including most recently at ROY G BIV gallery in Columbus, Ohio. She has been the recipient of a U.S. Fulbright Grant, which enabled her to travel to Hungary for one year to teach and pursue independent research in the area of visual arts and design. Since relocating to Ohio, she has continued to teach ceramics to students of all ages at institutions across the greater Cleveland area, including the Solon Center for the Arts, Beck Center for the Arts, Cleveland Institute of Art, and the University of Akron.

MARY MANTZ

Mary Mantz, better known as ‘Mrs. Mantz in her Purple Pantz”, taught art for many years starting in New York, then Maryland and finally in Ohio. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Art Education at SUNY New Paltz and her Masters Degree at Kent State University.  Most recently, she retired from the Kenston School District and afterwards, opened Mrs. Mantz’s Purple Pantz Art Studio in Auburn Township, teaching after-school art classes to local students.  Unfortunately, the pandemic forced her to close the studio in 2020. However, she now feels fortunate to have started teaching at SCA last fall, where she can continue her love of teaching and the ability to bring the joy of Art to young people in this community.

JACKIE PALUMBO

Jackie is an Artist and Art Instructor who enjoys sharing her love of art with others. Her top two rules in class are to not get frustrated and to have fun!  In addition, Jackie is also a Certified Meditation and Mindfulness Instructor, Licensed Ohio Substitute Teacher, has a B.A. in Interpersonal and Organizational Communications, Avid Volunteer for the Veterans and active military, Wife, and Mom of 2.

VERONICA RIGO

Veronica Rigo earned her Bachelor of Fine Art degree at Kent State University. She enjoys studying art forms and working on all different types of art. She is currently teaching ceramics at Solon and loves helping her students refine their skills and blossom creative thinking.