Classes

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.

Mary Shea is an experienced educator and artist with a Bachelor of Science from Murray State University and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Bridgewater State University. She has taught for over 25 years in various studio and classroom environments, including Mansfield Public Schools, Mt. Ida College, Hunakai School of Fine Arts, and the McGraw Ceramic Studio. After retiring from Mansfield Public Schools in June 2021, she moved to Sandwich with her husband in October 2021. When she is not teaching, Mary enjoys hiking and teaching her granddaughters how to paint.Mary Shea is an experienced educator and artist with a BS from Murray State University and a MAT from Bridgewater State University. She has taught for over 25 years in various studio and classroom settings, including Mansfield Public Schools, Mt Ida College, Hunakai School of Fine Arts, and the McGraw Ceramic Studio. Mary retired from Mansfield Public Schools in June 2021 and moved to Sandwich with her husband in October 2021. When not teaching, she enjoys hiking and teaching her granddaughters to paint.

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.

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.

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.

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.