Haley McElroy - CAMP COUNSELOR

Haley McElroy graduated from Appalachian State University with a BFA in Art Education and a BA in Art Education. Since Graduating she has taught elementary art for 5 1/2 years. She has lived in Greenville, NC, for the last two years and excited to be teaching summer art camps for my second year. In her own studio, she enjoy constructing figural wall pieces and surface decorating simple functional forms. In her free time she enjoys spending time with my partner, AJ, curling up on the couch with their cat, Little Man, and getting lost in a new show.

Gregory Tuomi

Gregory Tuomi, has worked with a number of mediums, such as digital and film photography, pottery, painting, small metals, printmaking, book arts, and woodwork. Greg received a BFA in photography from East Carolina University and an MFA in book arts/printmaking from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA. Upon graduating he worked with a Fine woodworker in Philadelphia for two years and has since continued as a woodworker, making products using remnants and upcycle materials. Currently, Greg is an adjunct instructor teaching several art courses at Lenoir Community College in Kinston, NC, where he enjoys sharing knowledge with his students.

GAIL RITZER

Gail Ritzer received her BS in Art Education from the University of Missouri-Columbia and an MFA in Ceramics and Painting from East Carolina University. She has been exhibiting her work nationally since 1980 at such locales in New York, The University of Missouri-St. Louis, Eastern Kentucky University and the University of Nebraska. Her work has appeared in several publications including FiberArts Design Book, Art/Quilt Magazine, and exhibition catalogs. Gail has been fortunate to receive a number of grants from the North Carolina Arts Council to pursue a variety of personal and community arts projects. She has been teaching surface design techniques, mixed media methods, painting, and ceramics to students of all ages for many years at workshops, as Outreach Coordinator for the Greenville Museum of Art and as an instructor at Emerge Gallery & Art Center.

GABRIELLA GALVAN

Gabriella is a Sophomore at East Carolina University earning her Bachelor's of Fine in Art Education and Bachelors in Arts in Psychology. She has experience in many different mediums of art but primarily works with painting and photography. She enjoys being able to share her love of art with students and help them grow as artists, creative thinkers, and help them find their own unique voice. After completing her degree, she hopes to go on to get her Masters in Art Therapy to use art to create a positive change in others.

Holton Stokes

Holton Stokes was born and raised in Greenville, NC and earned both her BS degree in University Studies (Art and Merchandising) and her Masters degree (Elementary Education) from East Carolina University. Holton has experience in a variety of mediums but works primarily in painting, drawing, and digital illustration. Holton has had a passion for the arts since childhood and is excited to help foster that passion for others."

Zhetry Rosal Aguilar

My name is Zhetry Rosal Aguilar, I am a senior at East Carolina University. I am getting a BFA in Metal Design. I love working with 3D materials and creating both large and small scale sculptures as well as making jewelry and functional pieces. I also love challenging myself and improving my skills whenever I can. I hope to share this passion of art with others.

Kayleigh Redmond

After she received her Associate’s Degree in Arts from Vance Granville Community College, Kayleigh moved to Greenville, NC to pursue her BFA in Art Education at East Carolina University. She hopes to graduate next Spring, and start teaching at a public school in Fall of 2024. Artistically, Kayleigh has explored many mediums. She enjoys printmaking, drawing, and painting, but she has a particular interest in collage art. Kayleigh seeks ways to combine different media and materials, for the sake of making an interesting art piece. In her free time, she enjoys reading, poetry, and going to new places.

Jacque Schacht

Jacque Schacht graduated from the University of Nebraska Lincoln with a BS in Elementary Education. She is a proud member of the Ponca tribe of Nebraska. Much of her art is done through the lens of her tribal heritage. She enjoys many different mediums including watercolor, ledger art, beadwork, ceramics, and cooking. She is kept very busy with her three growing children but always makes time for art in some form. She is looking forward to sharing and creating art with your children during the summer camps.

Sonya Coulson Rook

Sonya received a BFA in Metal Design from East Carolina University and has obtained additional technical training in stone setting and hand engraving at New Approach School for Jewelers in Franklin, TN and the GRS Training
Center in Emporia, KS. In 2008 she established her own line of jewelry while living in Raleigh, NC which she currently wholesales and retails through various online and in person outlets. Her work can be found in stores and galleries around the country and has been featured in several publications as well as exhibitions at CAM Art Gallery in Raleigh, the Pratt Institute in New York, and the Baltimore Jewelry Center. She has taught metals classes at Sertoma Arts Center and the NC State Crafts Center, and has been teaching adult and youth classes at Emerge Gallery since relocating back to Pitt County in 2023.

Jaden Bynum

Jaden Lee is a mixed-media artist and storyteller who paints with purpose, texture, and heart. Rooted in Eastern North Carolina, their work weaves together layers of acrylic, oil, and unconventional materials to explore identity, emotion, and the beauty found in imperfection. Jaden’s teaching invites young artists to express their inner world with courage and creativity—blending colors, textures, and meaning to create art that speaks. A recipient of the 2024 NC Artist Grant, Jaden believes in the power of art to heal, connect, and transform, one brushstroke at a time.

Paula “PJ” Jordan-Mayo

Paula “PJ” Jordan-Mayo was born and raised in Rocky Mount, NC. They earned their BFA in Illustration at East Carolina University and the Master’s in Illustration at Academy of Art University. Though PJ primarily works in digital illustration, they have experience in various mediums such as drawing and painting. People can always see PJ carry their iPad with them. Since early childhood, PJ has always had a passion for the arts. They have a passion of inspiring young artists to continue the love for art.

Kaitlyn O’Connell

Hi! I am Kaitlyn O’Connell and I have lived in Greenville, NC since I was 10 years old. I have my AAS in Advertising and Graphic Design, and I am in my last semester at East Carolina University to earn my BFA in Art Education. My goal is to become a visual arts teacher that students can look up to and take inspiration from. My own art teachers are who inspired me to become a teacher as well. I have loved art for as long as I can remember and I enjoy always trying new things! I like to think of myself as a jack of all trades for art because I work in most mediums and enjoy experimenting. In my free time, I enjoy reading, shopping, and cooking!

Norah Harbold

Norah Harbold is a student at East Carolina University, majoring in Fine Art with a concentration in Ceramics. She has been enthusiastic about art since childhood, but she discovered her passion for ceramics during her sophomore year of high school. Throughout high school, she began exhibiting her work locally and aspires to showcase her art on a national level in the future. Norah enjoys creating sculptural and functional pieces. She views the process of wheel-throwing as a form of meditation and prioritizes the enjoyment of creating over simply producing an object. For her, creating brings joy to her life, and she is eager to share her love and knowledge of ceramics with others.

Carrie Cranwell

Carrie was born and raised in Columbia, NC and graduated from East Carolina University with a BFA in Art Education. While she enjoys both teaching and creating art in a variety of media, she has found a special love for working with Ceramics. When she's not busy teaching or creating, she enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter at home and in the great outdoors.

Isabel Jackson

Isabel Jackson is a North Carolina native, getting her Art studies degree from NC State University. She specializes in creating Acrylic portraits and hand built ceramics. She is currently working as North Pitt High School's Visual Arts and Ceramics teacher.

Kas Eastwood

Kas Eastwood was born and raised in the hometown of East Carolina University where they graduated with a BFA in Painting/Drawing. Kas is a mixed media artist who enjoys painting as well as many forms of sculpture, including ceramics. Besides art, Kas loves reptiles and they have many at home. They find joy in caring for them and teaching others about how fascinating they can be. Kas also has a passion for nature and spends much of their time outdoors, which inspires most of their work. One of their main goals as an artist is to involve the community anywhere possible because they believe anyone can do art and exceed at it. “It’s therapeutic, it builds problem solving skills, and it’s FUN! Everyone should try it.”