“It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.” – Albert Einstein
Our outstanding teachers are highly trained and educated. They have a broad background of teaching experience with students of all ages, and are themselves accomplished artists. All of the PIAA teachers are adept at instruction in oil, acrylic and watercolor painting, in pastels and pen and ink drawing, at beginner or advanced levels.
Betty Wedeles
Betty Wedeles, a native Floridian, is a prestigious teacher and artist. In 1968 she joined the “School of Fine Arts” and studied under Gale Bennet for 3 years. She was accepted by “Nova Studio of Arts” in 1971 and was privately instructed by Gene Melton, a professor at the University of Southern California.
Betty has 27 years teaching experience at many local art leagues, including Ft. Myers Art League, Bonita Springs Art League, Cape Coral Art League, and Pine Island Art League. She also teaches beginning and advanced classes at local retirement communities, and has judged numerous art shows. She has exhibits at Gulf Federal Savings, Royal Palm Yacht Club, and Oak Creek Gallery.
Her knowledge of color harmony, value, movement and composition is a great asset to her students. In addition to teaching full time, she is also involved in wood carving, clay sculpture and china painting. Betty’s respect for wildlife and its habitat is reflected in her paintings and other artistic endeavors.
Deb Zwetsch
Deb received a BA in Art Therapy, worked in advertising, then went to Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts for a masters’ level emersion of all artistic disciplines, including painting, printmaking, sculpture and drawing. This experience culminated in winning the prestigious “Travel Scholarship: a three month tour of the art in Europe” – all expenses paid.
Returning from Europe, Deb pursued exhibiting both her fine art and fine craft work (Zwear scarves), along with teaching, running workshops for all ages and working through the Pennsylvania Council for the Arts.
In 2006 she moved to Pine Island, FL, where she continued exhibiting and drawing inspiration from the beauty surrounding her. This February, she and another artist exhibited sculpture, paintings, silk art and fashion in an exhibit entitled “We Contain Multitudes.” The exhibit was a culmination of the three years of working both individually and together on our art.”
Patrick Dwyer
Patrick Dwyer is a local artist and teacher who served in the Marines
and worked as a technical illustrator during his civilian career.
He now prefers painting in acrylics and loves to capture people and wildlife in their natural settings.
He loves teaching and is beloved among his students.
Lisa Burke
Lisa Burke is originally from Maryland. She and her husband moved to Cape Coral almost 15 years ago.
In 2016 she discovered the wonderful world of watercolors and since then she has never looked back!
She was a self-taught watercolorist for about a year until she happened to stumble upon the Pine Island
Art Show in Matlacha in 2017. She was chatting with members at the show, and they informed her about
their watercolor classes. She immediately signed up and the rest is history!
In 2023 Lisa’s watercolor teacher, Dianna, retired and she was offered the job. She was so honored and
excited to start this new watercolor journey of teaching. She is inspired every day by the beautiful
surroundings here in Florida to paint expressive watercolor paintings and she continues to be amazed by
this beautiful medium.