Amanda Kauftheil specializes in Marker and Pastel on Paper. She’s often complimented for her color combinations and details in her work. Amanda believes that her creativity and choice of colors make her work stand out. Amanda feels that her best accomplishment is getting to show off her work in exhibits so other people can see something she created. Amanda has shown works in nine group exhibits across New York and Connecticut. 

Amanda continues to take lessons, try different mediums and subjects, and practice art making in her spare time.  She is currently enrolled in the Connections Art Class at the Jewish Community Center of Manhattan and takes private lessons weekly with instructor, Baris Gokturk. Amanda enjoys art class because it allows her to socialize with others, express her feelings, and “go with the flow”. In addition to creating art, Amanda enjoys cooking, hanging out with friends, playing sports, and working with kids.

John J. Hodgson has been making art since 2008 with his teacher, Baris Gokturk. John has had 11 solo exhibitions and has participated in seven group exhibits including collaborations with Madison House Autism Foundation in Rockville, Maryland. Several of John’s works are included in private collections across the United States as well as Turkey, Germany, and Slovakia. John’s creative sessions include time spent learning classic brush stroke techniques as well as experimenting with non-traditional tools and methods. Time, movement, and creation of an individual pictorial language through an articulation of various painterly moves is the main focus of his paintings. Mr. Hodgson is now participating in art classes at the Jewish Community Center of Manhattan where his classmates have been inspired to “create new kinds of art” after viewing his most recent solo exhibit. His other interests include running in Central Park, visiting museums and galleries, hiking the Appalachian Trail, attending cooking classes, and volunteer work. John currently enjoys participating in a farm mentorship at Orkestai Farm and volunteering with the Central Park Green Team and at Materials for the Arts where he was featured in the Volunteer Spotlight of the Month.