Our Instructors
The Potocki Center for the Arts hosts a variety of professional artists for all classes to provide our students with the best artistic experience possible. If you are a professional interested in becoming an instructor, please visit our New Instructor page.
Anja Chance
Anja first learned the intricate process of scratchboard art from a WWII Women Airforce Service Pilot. Since then her art has been displayed and sold in Nest gallery San Juan Capistrano. She has a love for all art, from scratch to painting and fiber arts.
Ann Klein
Ann began her art career teaching Art Appreciation in elementary schools. After retiring, she took oil painting lessons from world-renowned artist Mary DeFranco. Since then, Ann has taught art for the Capo Unified School District's adult education program before finding her home here at the Potocki Center for the Arts in 2018.
Bill Knauer
Bill paints scenes throughout the U.S., Tahiti, Europe, and Russia. For 20 years he has been a contributing artist in the Cove Gallery, Laguna Beach.
Carol McAlester
Carol, an alumna of Laguna College of Art and Design, discovered her love for chalk pastels during her Fine Art studies. Between teaching sessions, she enjoys painting portraits, landscapes, or creating characters for children's coloring books. Carol firmly believes that the enriching aspects of art creation should be accessible to all and is committed to guiding and empowering others in their artistic endeavors.
Clémence Amarsy
After spending 10 years in the pharmaceutical industry sector in Paris, Clemence moved to California with her family and obtained her certification in Floral Design. In 2023 she opened her pressed flowers studio to let her passion for flowers grow. "With the studio I create herbarium but also teach my students about the art of pressing flowers. Classes are a meditative moment where they develop their imagination while admiring the beauty of nature!"
Di Cremer
Raised in South Africa, and moving from Berlin Germany, to the UK, to Mission Viejo, Di has always found her feet through art and creating. "I'm never one to take the rules as unbreakable. I like to learn them and then challenge them. I like to teach this way too." Di has not met a craft she doesn't like to do, and considers herself a lifetime student of art. "There is always more to learn."
Eliane Cherman
Eliane finds joy in creating and exploring various forms of artistry. Whether it's candle making, interior design, painting, crafting, arranging flowers, or tending to plants, her love for creativity knows no bounds.
Erna Van Dyk
Erna is an artist with a passion for teaching and a penchant for sharing her talents with others. She believes anyone can create art and that art is accessible to everyone. Through Erna's colorful adventures, you will learn how to cultivate a love for painting and ceramics.
Jack Knight
Jack has taught painting and drawing both privately and at art stores. As the recipient of a Picerene Foundation Grant through GOALS, he has run afterschool art programs around Orange County for at risk youth. Aimed at building community engagement, he also does numerous free art events in and around Orange County.
Kathleen Black
Born in Ecuador, Kathleen moved to the US when she was very young. She was a civil engineer until retiring early to pursue her passion of art. Besides teaching at the Potocki, you can find the watercolorist painting in her home studio, cheering on her granddaughters at their sporting events, or at the beach.
Liz Russo
Liz began hosting Succulent Workshops in Orange County in 2015 which bloomed into a year around business. Offering workshops, custom unique arrangements, landscape design and store fronts, she loves getting her hands dirty, create beautiful centerpieces and also share her knowledge for everyone to have a happy planting experience.
Marlene Gerloff
Marlene earned a BFA from Massachusetts College of Art. She has worked as a graphic designer, artists' representative, and corporate director of education. Upon retirement, she became an exhibiting partner in a Laguna Beach art gallery.
Mona Niko
Originally from Tehran, Iran, Mona began her artistic journey with a foundation in painting and graphic design, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Painting from Azad University. Initially exploring Expressionism, she later embraced mixed media, blending painting with graphic design to create innovative works. Now based in California, her gallery serves as a creative sanctuary where her evolving art continues to inspire and push boundaries.
Rachael Duran
Rachael Duran is the owner/maker at thunder textile, an artisan small business that specializes in hand-dyed textiles and apparel. She's a self-taught dyer and works exclusively with natural fiber textiles focusing on ice dyeing, shibori and natural dyeing.
Susan Ali
Susan received her master's degree in vocal performance from UCI and has taught voice at several collegiate institutions throughout Orange County. Having moved to Mission Viejo in 2020, Susan is excited to bring the joy of singing to her local community.
Tamara Griffin
Fiber artist Tamara considers herself a "Knitting Evangelist". She created her company The Knitting Lab to share her love and the benefits of knitting with others, especially those new to the art. She believes the possibilities of what we can create with our own hands are limitless.