Old Town Triangle Association Instructors

Art Instructors | Fitness Instructors

Art Instructors

Tom Francesconi

Tom Francesconi studied watercolor with his mentor, Irving Shapiro, at the American Academy of Art in Chicago, Illinois. Tom is a signature member of the National Watercolor Society and numerous others. His work has been exhibited in over 35 national exhibitions including the American Watercolor Society and has been an award winner in many of these exhibits. His paintings have been featured in 7 books and additionally he has written an article for 2 Watercolor Magic magazines. Tom served as President for the Transparent Watercolor Society of America. He has gained a reputation as an outstanding watercolor workshop instructor and brings his passion for the medium and his teaching enthusiasm to the Old Town School of Art.

Didiet Nolet

Didiet Nolet was born and raised in Paris, France where he studied at the world famous Ecole des Beaux-Arts. He moved to this country in 1979, where he has shown extensively ever since. His work is represented by Perimeter Gallery in Chicago and can be found in numerous collections in the US and overseas.

Philip Renaud

Philip Renaud studied at the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts and graduated from the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles, California with a BFA cum laude. He has been a free-lance illustrator, painter and teacher for many years, exhibiting at the New York Illustrators' Show, Chicago Cultural Center, John Hancock Center, Museum of Science and Industry, Milwaukee Art Museum, Playboy Museum Collection in Europe and the U.S. He has been listed in Who's Who in the Midwest, and has received many awards.

Robert Brasher

Robert Brasher has a rich background in art history and literary reference. Chicago's Loop provides the background for many of his works, which focus on form, texture, and lighting, as well as relationships between the imposing structural surroundings and human element inhabiting them. He has studied at The Art Institute of Chicago, Indiana University, Perdue University, Loyola University, and Roosevelt University. In addition, he has received many art scholarships.

Kay Smith

Kay Smith has been painting in watercolor on assignment since 1971. She has established herself as a painter of American historic sites, landmarks, and noteworthy events. In 1994, the Lincoln Academy of Illinois elected her into the Academy of Artist Laureate of Illinois. Her education is from the Art Institute of Chicago and private study with Max Kahn, Eleanor Cohen, and Leroy Neiman.

Marie Kirk Burke

Marie Kirk Burke received her BFA from Boston College.  She also studied at the Decordova Museum in Lincoln, MA and earned a Certificate in Painting from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Her work

is exhibited in Chicago and southwest Michigan.

Kathleen Newman

Kathleen Newman studied at Chicago’s American Academy of Art and the School of the Art Institute.  She has been awarded the International Association of Pastel Artists Master’s Circle Gold Medal status. She has earned her signature letters in the Pastel Society of America, American Society of Marine Artists and the American Transparent Watercolor Society.  Her work can be found in many private and corporate collections.

 

Fitness Instructors

Tanya Alouane

Tanya Alouane studied dance in London and New York, where she also became a certified pilates instructor.  Tanya has taught in Chicago for eight years.

Nancy Heggemeier

Nancy Heggemeier received her yoga training from the Temple of Kriya Yoga and has been teaching since 1984.

Nancy Van Kanegan

Nancy Van Kanegan completed her teacher training under Suddha Weixler in 1995.  Various yoga systems inform Nancy’s practice and teaching.

Emily Moore is a Certified Nia Green Belt. Nia is an energetic interdisciplinary practice to focus the mind and condition the body.  Nia blends Martial Arts (mindful precision), Dance Arts (personal expression), and Healing Arts (self-healing).

Ann Socha is a certified Iyengar yoga instructor.  Iyengar practitioners learn to use simple props to extend their range of motion.