Debbie Smith-Shank
Director
Debbie is Emeritus Professor and Chair of both the Department of Arts Administration, Education and Policy at The Ohio State University and of Art and Design Education at Northern Illinois University. She has taught art to students at all levels, from pre-school through grad school. Trained as a painter, she currently works primarily with acrylic paint on canvas. She received her B.S. and M.S. in art education and Ph.D. in art education and semiotics from Indiana University. She is currently enjoying retirement, making art and music, traveling the world, and taking classes as a lifelong learner.
Bonnie Fox
Director
Over the years Bonnie has studied interior design, architecture, and horticulture. She also owned and operated an interior plant maintenance company. She also spent several years training store managers for the Hallmark Corporation in merchandising, displays and operations. Later in life, when in culinary school, she learned the skills for the visual presentation of food. This is where her inspiration to make beautiful presentations of food on canvas began. The main theme in all her paintings, no matter the subject matter, is a sense of whimsy.
Maribeth McFaul
Director
Maribeth is recognized for her vibrant watercolor and mixed media paintings on Yupo paper as well as her larger-than-life street paintings on pavement in pastel chalk. Her dual interests in science and visual art led her to a BA in Cell Biology and Art Education.
During the pandemic, Maribeth created numerous public pieces with the theme of metamorphosis and butterflies. “After this difficult period of isolation, I hope that we will emerge, like a butterfly, as a more beautiful and improved society.” Maribeth has enjoyed a long career in art education where she encouraged youth artists to stretch their artist wings.
“Creativity is making mistakes; Art is knowing which to keep.”
Gloria Hinrich
Director
Harry Carpenter
Director
Retired after 40 years as a National Park Service Ranger at numerous National Parks across the US. Served as an Army Ranger in the 101st Airborne Division as a combat medic in VietNam. Have a BS in Forestry from West Virginia University and MS in Public Administration from UC Sonoma State. Started painting watercolor in 1997 as a hobby with minimal formal training.
Linda Diaz
Director
Linda has been a member of the LWAA since 2020. Linda worked for the Federal Government for 38 years before retiring at 56 years young. As Linda says, “I have no art background”. Her introduction to art started at various Paint Nites. This piqued her interest and she decided to learn more. Linda began painting with Jan Couch’s guidance, then joined the Art Association and started attending classes in Acrylics, Watercolor and Printmaking. She enjoys serving the Laguna Woods Art Accociation by scheduling the in-studio art shows.