Classes

Léonie Little-Lex is a fine artist and illustrator from Cape Cod, MA. She graduated from Massachusetts College of Art and Design with a BFA in Illustration, then went on to complete her Masters of Arts in Teaching. She shows her work in galleries and art shows on Cape Cod and in the greater Boston area, and has also exhibited nationally in Oregon, New York, and North Carolina. She works in a variety of mediums with an emphasis on painting and pen-and-ink drawings. She recently illustrated her first children's book, "A is for Always: An Adoption Alphabet", published in August 2022. In addition to her work as an artist, Léonie has been an instructor in drawing and painting for over 10 years, both in private and community settings.

Steve Gregory is the owner of Score Music in Sandwich, MA where he and his instructors teach musical instruments and voice.

He founded the Cotuit Center for the Arts Ukulele Orchestra series of classes in 2011, has taught music, ukulele and guitar at the Cape Cod Conservatory and Rock Band classes Falmouth Academy.

Steve is currently the Saturday Service Music Director at West Parish Church in West Barnstable. He's also performed for 45 years as a guitarist and vocalist for his own groups as well as a sideman for several Cape Cod based acts.

I’m a retired educator and business owner and have been painting Fantastic Furniture for 20 years. It all started with a class given by my mentor, Ginny Boylan, at the Marblehead Arts Association. Prior to moving to the Cape, I was the co-owner of Yellow Dog Designs. We created custom work for clients on the Northshore of Boston including painted furniture and floorcloths. Currently I paint for pleasure and for a wonderful non-profit called Painting for a Purpose. They hold an annual auction to benefit the Portland Public Schools. One of my chairs was featured on poster promoting the event. Each year I paint dozens of pieces for the auction.

After decades of teaching drawing and painting to children and adults it is her conviction that thinking you have no ability or so-called “talent” can be a self-fulfilling prophecy. Creativity can be learned and this is one of the premises of her classes, to dispel all the misconceptions about art. Her focus is to relax, inspire confidence, encourage and minimize inhibitions while enjoying the journey of creating.

Before moving to Cape Cod she taught painting in her home studio in Millis, Ma. Conducted workshops and classes at Boston Public Library, Copley Society of Boston, art guilds, schools and libraries on Cape Cod, in Rhode Island, the North Shore and New Hampshire.

She was the founder/director of the Stoney Brook Arts Guild at the Stoney Brook Nature Center in Norfolk, Ma. Since moving to the Cape she has taught at Falmouth Arts Guild, Sandwich Arts Alliance, Cape Cod Arts Assoc. Upper Cape Tech. H.S. and Cotuit Center for the Arts where she loves being a part of for the past several years.

Nicole is a certified meditation instructor, sound practitioner, reiki master, and author of A Life Suspended: A Mother and Son’s Story of Autism, Extinction Bursts, and Living a Resilient Life. You can find her work at nhdwrites.com, or for current offerings follow her on Facebook and/or Instagram.

Chelsey is a licensed independent clinical social worker in private practice who loves using holistic and expressive techniques like art in her healing work. As a talk therapist, Chelsey has learned the value of nonverbal healing techniques (art, movement, play, and energy work) so SoulCollage® has been the perfect fit for her both in her professional healing work and in her own spiritual growth. After renting office space from a SoulCollage® facilitator and diving into the creation of her own SoulCollage® deck, Chelsey completed her facilitator training in May of 2024. It is her joy to hold space where people can deepen their relationships with their inner selves, their community, and their higher power. Chelsey is trained in trauma and attachment informed techniques and provides individual therapy to adults seeking to heal their inner child. To learn more about her clinical work you can find her at www.primaveralcounseling.com

Melanie Gillis is an artist and art teacher. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from Boston University and a Master of Arts in Teaching Visual Art from Bridgewater State University. She enjoys teaching a variety of mediums that include drawing, painting, printmaking, mixed media, and clay. She has taught at The Danforth Art Museum at Framingham State University and currently teaches in public school and at the Cape Cod Museum of Art. Melanie loves to teach students of all ages and to encourage them to explore, take chances and develop their creative voice. When Melanie is not teaching art she is engaged in making artworks in a variety of mediums; photography, printmaking, clay, and fiber art.

Award-winning Cape Cod artist Joe Gallant has been a full-time painter and instructor on Cape Cod for 25 years. He has conducted his popular Big Brush painting workshops for beginners and more advanced students at Cotuit Center for the Arts for a number of years. In 2019 and 2021, Joe also conducted all-day painting workshops sponsored by Cape Cod Collaborative for Cape and Islands public and private school arts teachers. He employs a casual and fun approach to painting instruction that his students enjoy.

Joe has an in-home gallery in Sandwich that is open by appointment. His original art, prints, boxed note cards and boxed Christmas cards are also sold in retail stores and on his website at www.capecodwatercolors.com.

Chelsey is a licensed independent clinical social worker in private practice who loves using holistic and expressive techniques like art in her healing work. As a talk therapist, Chelsey has learned the value of nonverbal healing techniques (art, movement, play, and energy work) so SoulCollage® has been the perfect fit for her both in her professional healing work and in her own spiritual growth. After renting office space from a SoulCollage® facilitator and diving into the creation of her own SoulCollage® deck, Chelsey completed her facilitator training in May of 2024. It is her joy to hold space where people can deepen their relationships with their inner selves, their community, and their higher power. Chelsey is trained in trauma and attachment informed techniques and provides individual therapy to adults seeking to heal their inner child. To learn more about her clinical work you can find her at www.primaveralcounseling.com

Michael Walter has been an artisan working with glass and wood for over 20 years. The joy of the project is his motto. He has studied in glass at Diablo School of Glass and wood at The North Bennet School and Penland School of Craft. His love of tinkering and learning new skills leads him in many directions; electrical, metal, tile, plastics. You never know what might add flair to a project. He loves to mentor and teach people of all ages. He thinks everyone should be able to work with their hands and make something they are proud of and hang on their wall or "window":) Or better yet, leave as legacy piece to their kids or grand kids to be handed down for generations.

Neil Grant is an English representational sculptor who makes fine art through a slightly different lens. The winner of the 2018 Newby Patrons Award at the National Sculpture Society’s Annual Awards Exhibition, he combines technical skill with storytelling and humor.

Neil lives on Cape Cod, Massachusetts where he sculpts out of his studio, and is part of the teaching faculty at Cotuit Center for the Arts.

“Sculpture is how I put my thoughts out into the world, and so I try to make sure that they are ideas worth sharing,” says Neil. “All sculptures have an origin story, and mine normally begin with questions such as, ‘I wonder if anyone has ever attempted that in clay before?’ or ‘It’s probably not what you’d call classical sculpture, but I wonder if people would like it?’ I love sculpture and any other form of art that fuses skill, emotion, and—if it can—a bit of humor. That’s what I aim for in my work."

More details about Neil and his work can be found at www.granty-art.com.

Barry is a long-term committed practitioner of Tai Chi and a graduate of the Tree of Life Tai Chi Center’s teacher training certification program, based on the Harvard Medical School’s Guide to Tai Chi and its Eight Active Ingredients of Tai Chi curriculum. In addition to teaching his own classes Barry teaches sessions for the staff of Massachusetts General Hospital and the Harvard University Library, and has been a featured instructor at the Harvard Medical School’s Herbert Benson MD Course in Mind Body Medicine, The Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, and The Cambridge Health Alliance’s Center for Mindfulness and Self-Compassion, as well as at the Tree of Life Tai Chi studios in Watertown.

Barry brings his experience as a life-long soccer goalkeeper coach to bear in providing a welcoming environment for the cultivation of fitness, health and mental well-being. Learn more at www.findingbalancetaichi.com.

Thoughts from students of Barry:

- “Very centering and calming, thank you!”

- “Thank you! Very relaxing & invigorating at the same time!” - “An excellent Tai Chi class! Thank you, Barry” - “Wonderful! I’d never tried Tai Chi before and it’s great!” - “It felt so good. Felt like I finally pampered myself. Thank you!”

Neil Grant is an English representational sculptor who makes fine art through a slightly different lens. The winner of the 2018 Newby Patrons Award at the National Sculpture Society’s Annual Awards Exhibition, he combines technical skill with storytelling and humor.

Neil lives on Cape Cod, Massachusetts where he sculpts out of his studio, and is part of the teaching faculty at Cotuit Center for the Arts.

“Sculpture is how I put my thoughts out into the world, and so I try to make sure that they are ideas worth sharing,” says Neil. “All sculptures have an origin story, and mine normally begin with questions such as, ‘I wonder if anyone has ever attempted that in clay before?’ or ‘It’s probably not what you’d call classical sculpture, but I wonder if people would like it?’ I love sculpture and any other form of art that fuses skill, emotion, and—if it can—a bit of humor. That’s what I aim for in my work."

More details about Neil and his work can be found at www.granty-art.com.

Katama Murray (she/her) is an artist, educator, naturalist, and small business owner from the Blue Hill peninsula now residing in Deer Isle, Maine. Her mixed media work and company, Teach Peace Prints, are inspired by place-based making and our interconnectedness to the environment. While living and studying throughout regions of New England and the Midwest, she has always been influenced by the outdoors and the ways in which we coexist with the natural world. Utilizing locally foraged natural materials, she layers print and fiber processes to visually communicate ideas, observations, and perpetual experimentation. Through hands-on techniques, Katama teaches regional workshops focused on versatile methods that encourage exploration and foster life-long learning. Katama also teaches at the Blue Hill Harbor School as their Visual Arts Educator. With a passion for multidisciplinary making, she enjoys inspiring others to become more connected to the earth through the power of art and community.

Sound Healer, Yoga Instructor, Teacher Trainer and Mentor, E-500RYT, YACEP and Reiki level 2.

Yuval is Faculty and presenter at Kripalu Center For Yoga & Health in the Berkshires, Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY, Ananda Ashram in Monroe, NY, Ocean Edge in Cape Cod, MA. He has been creating and leading experiential, as well as educational programs, retreats and teacher trainings all around the world since 2014 (notable are Guatemala, India, Israel, Croatia, Azores, England, Nicaragua, Panama, Costa Rica). Within the US, Yuval has been regularly leading specialty workshops in New York City, Boston, Brunswick, Maine, Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, along retreats in North Fork, NY.

Yuval began his teaching career in 2012 (Yogaworks, NYC) and in 2015 became a teacher trainer (200HR & 300HR). He led trainings in China, New York, NY, Boston, MA, and Memphis, TN.

Yuval is best known for his deep, soulful chanting and signature Live-Music Sound Healing sessions as well Vinyasa Flow classes, Pranayama teachings, Restorative work and Self-Massage (he is known to cast deep-healing spells on his students). Yuval is the creator and leader of UVYogaDance, a joyous movement practice which is as healing as it is an expressive art form, as well as YogaJam - a fun and playful Vinyasa practice laced with dance elements.

Yuval’s teaching style is mindful and fluid, linking all movement back to the breath and providing a safe and warm environment for students to explore their own selves, making their own self-discoveries through practice.

With experience in performance and art, Yuval is inspired by all creation and the undeniable power of breath and meditation. His teaching is personal, nurturing and humorous, allowing for self-observation and a true teaching and learning experience between him and his students.

Find Yuval on Instagram: @UVYBoogie
Yuval’s Calendar of Events: https://linktr.ee/uvyboogie
Find Yuval on YouTube: @UVYoga
Listen to Yuval’s music here:
https://www.youtube.com/@UVYOGA

Holly Heaslip, B.S. Art Education, M.F.A., has worked in clay for over 45 years and continues to find magic in the process. Inspired by students, she has taught at Rochester Institute of Technology, The Cultural Center of Cape Cod, and Art Park in N.Y. State. She also works as the on-site program coordinator for The New England Craft Program at Snow Farm. Teaching Tai Chi is another of Holly’s passions.

I’m a retired educator and business owner and have been painting Fantastic Furniture for 20 years. It all started with a class given by my mentor, Ginny Boylan, at the Marblehead Arts Association. Prior to moving to the Cape, I was the co-owner of Yellow Dog Designs. We created custom work for clients on the Northshore of Boston including painted furniture and floorcloths. Currently I paint for pleasure and for a wonderful non-profit called Painting for a Purpose. They hold an annual auction to benefit the Portland Public Schools. One of my chairs was featured on poster promoting the event. Each year I paint dozens of pieces for the auction.

Steve Gregory is the owner of Score Music in Sandwich, MA where he and his instructors teach musical instruments and voice.

He founded the Cotuit Center for the Arts Ukulele Orchestra series of classes in 2011, has taught music, ukulele and guitar at the Cape Cod Conservatory and Rock Band classes Falmouth Academy.

Steve is currently the Saturday Service Music Director at West Parish Church in West Barnstable. He's also performed for 45 years as a guitarist and vocalist for his own groups as well as a sideman for several Cape Cod based acts.

Melanie Gillis is an artist and art teacher. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from Boston University and a Master of Arts in Teaching Visual Art from Bridgewater State University. She enjoys teaching a variety of mediums that include drawing, painting, printmaking, mixed media, and clay. She has taught at The Danforth Art Museum at Framingham State University and currently teaches in public school and at the Cape Cod Museum of Art. Melanie loves to teach students of all ages and to encourage them to explore, take chances and develop their creative voice. When Melanie is not teaching art she is engaged in making artworks in a variety of mediums; photography, printmaking, clay, and fiber art.

Nancy Chen is a DanceCraft certified belly dance teacher. She stumbled upon belly dance in 2012, and it completely transformed her life - unlocking a gateway to a global community of support, creativity and empowerment.

Linda Holmes has been tap dancing since she was 5 years old. She owned her own dance studios and dance company in California. Linda was a member of The American Jazz Dance Company, danced with the California Ballet School and Company, and the Heart and Sole Tap Dance Company. She is also a certified AFAA Group Exercise Instructor, a Swim Instructor, and has studied dance all over the US.

Melanie Gillis is an artist and art teacher. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from Boston University and a Master of Arts in Teaching Visual Art from Bridgewater State University. She enjoys teaching a variety of mediums that include drawing, painting, printmaking, mixed media, and clay. She has taught at The Danforth Art Museum at Framingham State University and currently teaches in public school and at the Cape Cod Museum of Art. Melanie loves to teach students of all ages and to encourage them to explore, take chances and develop their creative voice. When Melanie is not teaching art she is engaged in making artworks in a variety of mediums; photography, printmaking, clay, and fiber art.

Linda Holmes has been tap dancing since she was 5 years old. She owned her own dance studios and dance company in California. Linda was a member of The American Jazz Dance Company, danced with the California Ballet School and Company, and the Heart and Sole Tap Dance Company. She is also a certified AFAA Group Exercise Instructor, a Swim Instructor, and has studied dance all over the US.

Barry is a long-term committed practitioner of Tai Chi and a graduate of the Tree of Life Tai Chi Center’s teacher training certification program, based on the Harvard Medical School’s Guide to Tai Chi and its Eight Active Ingredients of Tai Chi curriculum. In addition to teaching his own classes Barry teaches sessions for the staff of Massachusetts General Hospital and the Harvard University Library, and has been a featured instructor at the Harvard Medical School’s Herbert Benson MD Course in Mind Body Medicine, The Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, and The Cambridge Health Alliance’s Center for Mindfulness and Self-Compassion, as well as at the Tree of Life Tai Chi studios in Watertown.

Barry brings his experience as a life-long soccer goalkeeper coach to bear in providing a welcoming environment for the cultivation of fitness, health and mental well-being. Learn more at www.findingbalancetaichi.com.

Thoughts from students of Barry:

- “Very centering and calming, thank you!”

- “Thank you! Very relaxing & invigorating at the same time!” - “An excellent Tai Chi class! Thank you, Barry” - “Wonderful! I’d never tried Tai Chi before and it’s great!” - “It felt so good. Felt like I finally pampered myself. Thank you!”

Barry is a long-term committed practitioner of Tai Chi and a graduate of the Tree of Life Tai Chi Center’s teacher training certification program, based on the Harvard Medical School’s Guide to Tai Chi and its Eight Active Ingredients of Tai Chi curriculum. In addition to teaching his own classes Barry teaches sessions for the staff of Massachusetts General Hospital and the Harvard University Library, and has been a featured instructor at the Harvard Medical School’s Herbert Benson MD Course in Mind Body Medicine, The Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, and The Cambridge Health Alliance’s Center for Mindfulness and Self-Compassion, as well as at the Tree of Life Tai Chi studios in Watertown.

Barry brings his experience as a life-long soccer goalkeeper coach to bear in providing a welcoming environment for the cultivation of fitness, health and mental well-being. Learn more at www.findingbalancetaichi.com.

Thoughts from students of Barry:

- “Very centering and calming, thank you!”

- “Thank you! Very relaxing & invigorating at the same time!” - “An excellent Tai Chi class! Thank you, Barry” - “Wonderful! I’d never tried Tai Chi before and it’s great!” - “It felt so good. Felt like I finally pampered myself. Thank you!”

Ana Johnson-Moore is a professional artist originally from Bucharest, Romania, now living and creating on Cape Cod. With watercolors and gouache as her preferred mediums, Ana’s work merges vibrant imagination with influences from vaporwave music, anime, 80s neon, and horror novels. Her artistic themes range from nautical scenes and surreal compositions to whimsical, anime-inspired cats enjoying coffee.

Creating art since she could hold a pencil, Ana continues to explore and experiment, channeling her passion not only into her own creations but also into teaching. By sharing her skills in the classroom, Ana helps build a stronger, more connected creative community.

Her work has been showcased in galleries across the Northeast and featured in international art publications. She deeply values collaborations with local businesses to foster vibrant artistic networks. Through her art, Ana captures the unique soul of the places she explores, blending her love of travel and creativity.

When not painting, Ana enjoys beachside walks, diving into a good book, or relaxing with vinyl records and gourmet coffee.

Ana Johnson-Moore is a professional artist originally from Bucharest, Romania, now living and creating on Cape Cod. With watercolors and gouache as her preferred mediums, Ana’s work merges vibrant imagination with influences from vaporwave music, anime, 80s neon, and horror novels. Her artistic themes range from nautical scenes and surreal compositions to whimsical, anime-inspired cats enjoying coffee.

Creating art since she could hold a pencil, Ana continues to explore and experiment, channeling her passion not only into her own creations but also into teaching. By sharing her skills in the classroom, Ana helps build a stronger, more connected creative community.

Her work has been showcased in galleries across the Northeast and featured in international art publications. She deeply values collaborations with local businesses to foster vibrant artistic networks. Through her art, Ana captures the unique soul of the places she explores, blending her love of travel and creativity.

When not painting, Ana enjoys beachside walks, diving into a good book, or relaxing with vinyl records and gourmet coffee.

Ana Johnson-Moore is a professional artist originally from Bucharest, Romania, now living and creating on Cape Cod. With watercolors and gouache as her preferred mediums, Ana’s work merges vibrant imagination with influences from vaporwave music, anime, 80s neon, and horror novels. Her artistic themes range from nautical scenes and surreal compositions to whimsical, anime-inspired cats enjoying coffee.

Creating art since she could hold a pencil, Ana continues to explore and experiment, channeling her passion not only into her own creations but also into teaching. By sharing her skills in the classroom, Ana helps build a stronger, more connected creative community.

Her work has been showcased in galleries across the Northeast and featured in international art publications. She deeply values collaborations with local businesses to foster vibrant artistic networks. Through her art, Ana captures the unique soul of the places she explores, blending her love of travel and creativity.

When not painting, Ana enjoys beachside walks, diving into a good book, or relaxing with vinyl records and gourmet coffee.

Sam Holmstock, a founding member of the band Entrain, has taught Afro-Caribbean drumming for 35 years. For the last eight, he has taught on the Cape at Cotuit Center for the Arts, Cape Cod Community College, and at the Brewster Treatment Center, a residential program for incarcerated teen boys.