Beth Nova is a ceramics artist who draws inspiration from life, literature, and classical masters. They earned their BFA from Kent State University, where they studied under ceramic artist Kirk Mangus. His belief that art should be personal, spiritual, and accessible continues to influence their approach to clay.

Nova works primarily in functional ceramics, exploring the ways handmade objects foster connection and ritual—particularly around shared meals and conversation. Their work reflects a deep appreciation for the humanity of pottery and its ability to bring people together.

They previously worked at Queen City Clay in Cincinnati, where they developed their teaching practice and gained insight into the dynamic and creative operations of community ceramic studios.

Nova is currently on staff at Midland Center for the Arts, where they teach Advanced Ceramics and serve as the Fine Arts Programming Supervisor. In their leadership role, they support programming, faculty development, and the cultivation of an engaged and thriving creative community.

Morgan Kulwicki is a working ceramic artist, originally from South-East Michigan, with many themes of whimsy and nature in their art. She currently works at the Midland Center for the Art’s as the Studio School Coordinator and Kiln Technician. Morgan earned her BFA in Graphic Design from Siena Heights University where she explored many different mediums but ultimately could never escape her love of mud. Her expertise includes, firing electric, gas reduction, and wood reduction kilns, handbuilding ceramic sculptures, throwing functional pots, mixing glazes, and teaching at multiple age levels. Most days she can be found loading the Midland Center for the Arts' two electric kilns, experimenting with new glazes, or helping current ceramic students with their art.

 

Pam Hart is in her eleventh year on the faculty of the Midland Center for the Arts Studio School. She has 20 years of experience working in the ceramic medium and has studied with instructors at the Center for the Arts as well as participating in workshops with nationally recognized artists.  She started working in clay after 20 years as a music teacher and several years at home with her daughters. Her portfolio includes sculptural pieces, functional pieces, and pieces for worship and she has exhibited regionally and nationally. Her worship pieces are used in local churches and in the chapel of Wisconsin Lutheran College.

Pam’s work has been exhibited most recently at Studio 23 in Bay City as part of the exhibit “Shaping the Elements,” at Creative 360 in Midland as part of “Animals in Art,” and as part of the Student Faculty exhibit at the Midland Center for the Arts. She has also exhibited at Muskegon Art Museum’s “Michigan Contemporary Art Exhibit - 2023 and 2025, and took First Place at Studio 23’s “50 Artists of the Great Lakes Bay Region,” Marshall Fredrick’s Sculpture Museum’s “Regional Biennial Juried Sculpture Exhibition, 2023 and 2025” and A2AC’s “100th All Media Exhibition.”

Other exhibits she has participated in include “Night Visions” at Coconino Center for the Arts in Flagstaff, Arizona; “Persistence IV Exhibition,” at d’Art Center, Norfolk, Virginia; and “Trinity Episcopal Church National Juried Exhibition” in Sacramento, California.

Allise Noble is an award-winning Michigan artist and muralist with a background in fine art and interior design earning her BAA from Central Michigan University. Though 2D mediums are her first love, she enjoys exploring and combining a wide array of materials. Noble likes to fill her drawings and paintings with little surprises: clay, fabric, metal, buttons - especially objects that have a memory or story associated with them. In addition to traditional artwork, Noble enjoys creating art dolls and upcycling clothing and handbags, all one of a kind. Noble has over 10 years of experience working with artists of all ages and abilities, including individuals with disabilities. Noble loves teaching because she believes in the healing power of creativity, and believes that everyone can be an artist and it is never too late to begin.

Jill Tatroe earned her BFA from Kendall College of Art and Design, with a focus on Sculpture. During her college experience, she learned oil painting and eventually fell in love with the process. Now oil painting is one of her main forms of artistic expression. Her work often incorporates portraiture, but she is equally content painting landscapes, and still-lifes. 

Jill has exhibited work around Michigan, and has taught at the Midland Center for the Arts for the past few years.

Danyell Nefe is a maker focusing mainly on historical photographic processes and printmaking. The processes she finds most gratifying to work with are wet plate collodion, cyanotype, traditional darkroom processes along with working in printmaking processes such as silk-screen and intaglio.

She grew up in Midland, Michigan, and currently resides within the area with her daughter and the required studio cat. She received her Bachelor in Fine Arts from Central Michigan University in 2022. She started studying photography and printmaking in the early 2000’s and in 2015 she met her mentor, Rebecca Zeiss and fell down the rabbit hole of alternative photographic processes.

Becky White has participated in classes at the Midland Center for the Arts Studio School for the last 20 years and has taught art classes since 2008.

“It's hard not to love doing this because there are so many facets to creating 'artwear' jewelry. I especially enjoy teaching others and seeing first-hand how students grow. From not knowing, to that aha moment when they fall in love with the process and treasure the objects they make in class.” -Becky White