Our Instructors
Sharon Tabaczka
Sharon Tabaczka, (Mrs. T), owner and operator, is an illustrator and graduate of Kendall College of Art and Design. Teaching art at Forest Hills Public Schools for over 20 years, she has a Masters of Education and Major in Illustration. Mrs. T has instructed all levels 5-18 years old, and adult painting courses. She has a true passion to make the visuals arts accessible for all ages, income levels, and focuses on community building, art, dance, and mindfulness.
Greg Petersen
The award winning environmental educator has been teaching students about nature, stem, and traditional science for over 33 years. He is enthusiastic about teaching children how to love planet earth, become a critical thinker, and how to be a champion at inquiry. He naturally engages students to wonder, observe, and think deeply about the great outdoors. Mr. Petersen enjoys birding, fishing, and hiking, but first and foremost loves teaching children. A walk in the woods with Mr. Petersen will fill your heart with immeasurable peace and wonder.
Jerry Berta
A studio artist since 1975, working in sculpture, ceramics, neon, painting, and collage. His most recent artwork is Digitally Based Art. Currently, Mr. Berta is a retired teacher and artist who continues to create amazing sculptural tiki vessels through the use of 3-D printing. You may recognize a painted car that drives around town. Mr. Berta often lets students paint his car; he refers to it as “Arting It Up!” With his former elementary students he created "United Faces of America" and "I Love My Beautiful Brain!" 2014 ArtPrize entry. He has a very energetic passion for making art with the next generation. And those who know Mr. Berta would have to say, “YOU’VE GOT THIS!”
Kate Silvio
Kate Silvio studied at the College for Creative Studies and metalsmithing at The Cranbrook Academy of Art. She is currently teaching art at Forest Hills Northern high school in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Melissa Ennis
Melissa Ennis is a Grand Rapids, MI artist, and art teacher. With over ten years of experience teaching kindergarten through eighth grade, Melissa draws energy from her students' interests, working to develop engaging projects that allow for individual growth and personal choice for all students. In addition to teaching, Melissa spends her time creating detailed insect and animal portraits that are contrasted with intricate patterns combining printmaking and drawing techniques.
Emily Hanlon
My name is Emily Hanlon and I couldn’t be more excited to join you this summer for Arts at the Barn! During the school year. You can find me teaching 4th and 5th grade here in Grand Rapids. In my free time, I always make time to express myself through art. These two integral parts of who I am and what I love have led me to this moment— instructing a cartooning class! I fell in love with cartooning because it freed me from my own expectations of what my art “should” look like. For me, cartooning is a fun way to tap into your artistic abilities, self-expression, and goofiness. Thanks for taking the time to learn about me and I look forward to working with you this summer!
Madeline Kaczmarczyk
Madeline Kaczmarczyk is a ceramic artists working in Rockford, MI. Her many years of teaching experience include 22 years as Adjunct Professor of Art at Aquinas College. She has exhibited nationally and locally for many years. Her works are included in public and private collections, notably The Kalamazoo Institute of Arts and the Racine Art Museum.
Georgia Donovan
Georgia Donovan is a local artist and nature lover doing cut-paper art, oil paintings, and botanical illustrations. She will show us how to fold and cut paper, creating repeated images with connections. This tradition is found around the world, and in Germany it’s called Scherenschnitte (scissor-cuts). The unfolded images make cool designs for art or notecards.