Master Artists in Residence

Joe Hobbs, Glass Blowing
Joseph Hobbs discovered glass as an art form at California College of Arts and Crafts. After focusing on illustration for may years, Hobbs' attention was quickly diverted to glass. Hobbs has produced art glass in numerous hot shops throughout the country. In 2001, Joseph received the glass program director position at the Belmont Arts & Cultural Center in Pensacola, Florida. In 2004, he was chosen to study with world renowned glass sculpture, Pino Signoretto at Pilchuck Glass School. Hobbs returned to Pilchuck in the Summer of 2005 as a member of the pole turners union. As Joseph progresses in his career, continues to receive recognition for the groundbreaking sculptures.

Steve Haworth, Pottery
BA Art education University of Evansville, Evansville, Indiana,1970 MFA Ceramics, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio,1972. Associate professor of Art, University of West Florida,1972 to present Primary teaching areas, Ceramics and jewelry design Exhibition record includes over 250 shows at national,regional and state levels with numerous awards at all levels. Board of Directors-Vice President, Gulf Coast Kiln Walk Society.

Sam Nettles, Sculpture
Sculpture Nationally recognized sculptor of representational art specializing in figurative and portrait sculpture. he has for many years taught sculpture and artisistic anatomy. He has participated in group and solo shows in: New York, Connecticut, Maryland, Washington D.C., Colorado, and along the Gulf Coast. At national competitions he has received numerous award including two of tha National Sculpture Society's most prestigious, The Walter and Michael Lantz Award - 1989 and The Roger T. Williams Prize - 1992. Nettles has twice been featured in "The National Sculpture Review" as well as in Maters of American Sculpture. His work is in numerous private and public collections. Among Nettles monumental sculptures are a heroic jaguar for the University of South Alabama, the Hawkshaw Lagoon Missing Children's Memorial, and the Santa Rosa Vetrans Memorial.

Meredith Hartsfield, Glass Bead Making
Meredith has a 10 year graphic design/commerical arts backgroundýas well as an extensive background in education. A glass beadmaker since 1995, Meredith has taught classes at the Belmont for four years and is Belmont's resident glass bead maker. She has participated in nationally recognized juried art shows such as the Greater Gulf Coast Arts Festival - (4 years), Fairhope Arts Show (2 years) and many other local shows and venues. Meredith is married withýthree teenage children and has been a resident of Gulf Breeze, Florida since relocating from Denver, Colorado in 1999.

Anna Killian, Oil Painting
BA in painting from the University of Montevallo and MFA in painting with Directed Study in American Realism in the 20th Century, Northern Renaissance Art and Moden Art and Theory from the University of Florida. Adjunct professor in painting and drawing classes at the School of Art, University of Montevello and most recently adjunct Instructor at Pensacola Junior College. A grand prize and best of show artist, who's technical expertise alsoýincludes acrylic painting and drawing. Exhibition and gallery representation in over 30 galleries on national, regional and local levels.

Maria Gomez, Tribal Belly Dance
Currently a local touring dancer with American tribal style group, Tribal Heart. Has been instructing for the past two years and has studied for over eight years in the art of American Tribal Belly Dance. Maria has attended numerous workshops in California and New Mexico.

Local Fiber Artist Holly Braddock fiber art includes taking fiber from the basics, all the way through the creation of handspun yarn and handknit items. Her niche has become spinning designer and novelty yarns with a variety of fiber, findings and treasures--many that are not
considered traditional. Sea shells, beads, buttons and more often find their way into her skeins giving the yarn a whimsical, very individual appeal.

Her fiber art career includes hand spinning, knitting and fleece preparation. She also teaches her art to spinners looking to branch out with
their own fiber art as well as spinners just beginning their fiber journey. Her yarns are on display at The Yarn Museum and she travels to several fiber
art shows each year. Braddock is drawn to fiber and designs her yarn through intriguing use of color and medium.

"My yarns are all designed to push the 'limits' of hand spinning while still creating finished items that are distinctive AND functional," she said. "My biggest inspiration is the color of the water at the beach near my home. I get some of my best ideas there."

see more of Holly's work at  http://www.hollyeqq.com