“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.
Patty Sole
Internationally collected artist, Patty has sold paintings to owners in Germany, London, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Portugal and locations across the U.S. Patty is an active member of the Pine Island Art Association and the Cape Coral Art League. Patty is also a member of the American Pen Women Society. She has shown her work at Antiques Within of Memphis, Tenn., and many local galleries in Cape Coral, Fort Myers and on Sanibel Island.
Patty also enters her work at many of the area’s art shows such as the Pine Island Art Show and The Coconut Point Art Show, Art for Act located in Downtown Fort Myers. She donates paintings to many charitable groups including the Arts for Act Gala Event. Her paintings have been accepted in the Live Auction three consecutive years.
Patty enjoys painting in acrylics and oil and currently teaches at the Cape Coral Art League and Pine Island Art Association, as well as the Landings Community and Herons glen community. She also paints custom pen blanks for Exotic Blanks of Wisconsin. Patty’s “whimsical side” is apparent in her niche paintings of animal heads on human bodies.
A native of Kansas City, Missouri, Patty has made Southwest Florida her home since 1995 and is a full time artist.