Jocelyn Beatty
Watercolor Painting
Jocelyn studied art at Edinboro University before working as an architectural draftsman. She began pursuing a full time career in painting over two decades ago and has taught at the Hoyt for more than 20 years. She is the first woman to take 1st place in the PA Game Commission’s Duck Stamp contest.
Kate Burke
Mosaics
Graduate of the Art Institute of Boston, Kate has worked in public art for over 25 years. As a painter and relief carver, her works can be found in public, private, and corporate collections in Minneapolis, Boston, and beyond.
Chris DeVivo
Videography
Chris has been working in Digital media, video production, and photography for over two decades. His company specializes in video production, strategic marketing, brand development, and web and social media planning. Chris currently serves as the Broadcast and Gameday Operations Manager for Riverhounds and was Director of Media Technology for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Richard DiGia
Drawing
Richard has his degrees from Westminster College and the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and brings 27 years of experience in advertising and design. He is adjunct professor at Geneva College and has taught at Westminster College and the Butler Institute of American Art.
Alina Glath
Youth Classes
Alina received her BFA with a concentration in K-12 teaching preparation from Slippery Rock University. She has taught art classes at the Butler Art Center, Brushes and Barstools, and Slippery Rock University for all ages. These classes included various media such as painting, printmaking, fiber art, and clay sculpture. Alina’s work has been included in many regional and national juried exhibitions such as the National Conference on Undergraduate Research at Kennesaw State University, GA.
Beth Goldstein-McKee
Cello
Beth has taught cello to children for over thirty years at institutes, workshops, and conferences across the country and internationally, and in her private studio. She is a registered Suzuki Association of the Americas teacher trainer of Suzuki pedagogy. Beth also teaches in her private studio at Hope Academy.
Kris Harper
Music
Kris is a New Castle native and currently resides in Poland, Ohio. Kris has 40 years of teaching experience with both bachelors and masters degrees in music. Kris’s primary instrument of study was voices. He has served in many schools, churches and private studios in New Castle and surrounding areas.
Nancy Hawkins
Oil Painting
Nancy Hawkins studied at Fort Wayne Art Institute before receiving her BFA in painting and drawing from Kent State University. She is an active exhibitor and member of the Ohio Plein Air Society.
Amy Jones
Youth Art Classes
Amy Jones is a graduate of Youngstown State University, where she earned a degree in Studio Art-Graphic Design. She did her post graduate work also at YSU, where she earned her K-12 teaching certification. In addition to joining the Hoyt teaching staff, she is also an art instructor/independent artist for the Academy of Dance Anatomy of Mercer, Pa.
Paige Kleinfelder
Youth Painting
Paige is an avid painter and has exhibited her work regionally, including the annual Regional and former Mid Atlantic juried exhibitions at the Hoyt. She received her art degree from Elmira College, Ithaca, NY. She held various roles with the Associated Artists of Butler County, including instructor and board member, before becoming the organization’s Education Coordinator. She now serves as the Assistant Education Coordinator the Hoyt.
Beth Magyan
Origami
Beth has her art degrees from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (BFA) and Tyler School of Art at Temple University (MFA). She is a member of the Craftsmen’s Guild of Pittsburgh. Beth has taught ceramics and origami at community art centers, schools and senior living facilities. She has also exhibited in both the retail and wholesale marketplaces. Beth is owner of Magyan Clay and Paper, a studio that includes both decorative and functional ceramic products and an origami jewelry line of earrings, pins and floral arrangements.
Alissa Pesavento
Harp
Alissa is a highly accomplished Harpist who received an MA from Kent State. She has taught extensively at universities and privately. Her performances includes solos, festivals, and events.
Robert Presnar
Hoyt Education Director
Bob has served as the Hoyt’s Education Director since 2008. His undergraduate degree is in Secondary Education, Social Studies. He has a Master’s degree in History from Slippery Rock University. In addition to planning the Hoyt’s adult and youth class semesters, he teaches the After School Arts Program and Art’s Club and is affectionately known by his students as “Mr. Bob.” He is also known as a researcher, writer, and local historian and has published various works on the area’s past.
Shannon Prestopine
Yoga
Shannon received her RYT-200 hour yoga certification through South Hills Power Yoga in Pittsburgh and has since gained additional certifications in teaching yoga and its philosophies. She is the owner of Infinity Flow Studio, where she is an instructor, as well. She is also an adjunct yoga instructor at Butler County Community College. Shannon is also a fully certified Peak Pilates Comprehensive instructor. Her training for classical pilates began at the Pines studio in 2014 and was completed in 2017. She additionally holds certifications in Balle Barre and Ugi ball.
Lou Recchione
Stained Glass
Lou is a native of New Castle who currently resides on the city’s north hill. Growing up three streets from the Hoyt, He would walk by the complex and admire the architecture but never entered until he was an adult. Lou’s introduction to stained glass was as a pupil in an 8 week course offered at the Hoyt where he instantly fell in love. He has since taken the course multiple times, made many stained glass window panels and sun catchers for family members, and made a stained glass demonstration video for the Hoyt.
Nancy Sontich-Lenhart
Ceramics
Nancy Lenhart received a BA in Art from Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA. She continued her studies at Youngstown State University working as a studio assistant in the ceramics department. She owns a private studio in Struthers, OH and has been teaching ceramics at the Hoyt for over twenty years.
Thomas Stoops
Videography
Thomas has been working in the entertainment business for 18 years with video as the main focus for the past 11 years. He attended Youngstown State University as a Piano major and the Art Institute of Pittsburgh in the Music/Video Business Program. He was a professional performer from 1990-1997 performing with Ted Nugent, Warrant, Slaughter, Bon Jovi, Extreme and many other professional acts. He has worked as a camera man, production assistant, and assistant director, for TriCinema Pictures and audio technician for TriCinema Studios. He is also a published writer of short stories, screenplays teleplays, and magazine articles. Tom is currently the co-owner and operates the film production company Twisted Brothers Productions.
Deborah & Joe Zingaro
Fused Glass
Deborah Zingaro, the owner of Baker-Hart Studio, works with her husband Joe to create not only oil and acrylic artwork, but also fused glass art. Deb retired as Director of the Conneaut Public Library in 2009. She took evening classes in drawing and painting offered through the Erie Art Museum. Though not formally trained, her innate artistic abilities have helped her create an eclectic collection of works that differ both in subject matter and style. Deb has had much success with her painting, having had individual showings, as well as creating art for several book covers. Joe retired from teaching at Kent State University in Ashtabula, Ohio in 2011. Several years before retiring, he began working with stained glass and fused glass with Deb in her studio. Deb and Joe have been able to create glass art that not only enhances the beauty of glass, but also shows that beauty can be practical and useful.