Sara is a self-taught artist who enjoys sharing her knowledge and experience with the youth in our community! She began exploring art at a very young age and has continued building her 'toolbox' through a lot of trial and error.

Sara works in any and all mediums in an exploration of herself and the world around her. Her personal work centers around natural themes and concepts of emotional, and spiritual renewal.

Rebecca Conklin has worked as an art educator in the community for 23 years, sharing her passion for creating art and working with clay to students of all age levels. Rebecca received her BFA from Syracuse University and her MSEd from SUNY Plattsburgh. Rebecca has been part of the Strand Center for the Arts for many years as a clay instructor, and is a high school art teacher at AuSable Valley Central School District.

At the tender age of 13, Tom was turned loose in the forge at the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, and managed to neither burn the building down, nor do irreparable damage to himself. Having always been interested in arms and armor, he quickly focused on making blades and hasn’t looked back. In his free time he enjoys D&D and photography. Tom's day job is in IT, so the forge is a welcome respite from being a desk jockey. 

Samantha started her metalworking career at a young age, making wire jewelry. During her time at the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, she was introduced to blacksmithing and immediately was hooked. When not in the forge, you can find her rocking out to Queen, driving her classic 1970's car, or diving deep into Medieval European History. She is also the Director of the Kent-Delord House Museum in Plattsburgh, NY.

Noah Bonesteel is an emerging artist, working in painting, drawing, and printmaking. Originally from Averill Park in Rensselaer County, Noah attended SUNY Plattsburgh where he received a BFA in Painting and Drawing (2025). He and his art practice have developed a strong connection to the North Country and Adirondacks where he is committed to strengthening the local art scene. His work explores the human relationship to our environment focusing on the interconnectedness of all life and the entanglement of ecology and human activity. He has exhibited across the North Country and Capital Regions of New York. 

noah.bonesteel.com

Emily Shaffer is a local artist and teacher. She received her masters degree from SUNY Plattsburgh in education with a concentration in studio art, focusing primarily on ceramics. Emily’s work is a mix of functional ceramics as well as an exploration of the human body and form. Emily values the role of art in everyday life and believes creativity should be a part of how we connect, reflect, and grow. Find her work @funfunkyforms on Instagram. 

Sommerleigh D’Elia is a multidisciplinary artist with a focus on ceramics and watercolor illustration. For Sommerleigh, found objects in the natural world contain a magical quality, and her work seeks to share that childlike wonder with her audience. With influences deriving from both fairytales and field guides, she hopes to place these commonly found pieces of nature onto a pedestal and foster an appreciation for the remarkableness of the ordinary.

Kilian Croghan is a local artist from Keeseville, New York.  Kilian received his BFA from SUNY Plattsburgh in 2023 with a focus in Drawing, Painting, and Illustration. His work focuses on themes of nature, folklore, and mythology, working from the landscape and his imagination to tell stories through art. He also enjoys plein air painting in both watercolor and oil paint. Kilian is thrilled to be teaching courses at the Strand and hopes to share his passion for the arts with the community.

Born in Princeton, New Jersey and raised in Upstate New York, Jason Parent uses photography, printmaking, and bookmaking to explore themes of identity, place, and memory. Receiving his BFA from SUNY Plattsburgh and his MFA from Boston University, Jason hopes to share all he has learned with the local art community. To learn more about Jason’s work, check out his website and Instagram below:

https://jasonparent.cargo.site/
@jasonparent.art

Ally Baker is a multidisciplinary artist who focuses on digital illustrations and graphic design. They have a B.S. in Digital Media Production from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh and are self-taught in drawing & illustration.

Ally’s digital work also includes photography as well as video and audio planning, production, and post-production editing.

Growing up in Las Vegas, art, culture, and entertainment became ingrained into who they are and how they see the world around them. To Ally, artistic expression is fundamental to life and community.