“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.

Dianna Willman

“My paintings have been included in regional and national exhibitions winning awards and recognition. For 35 years my husband and I operated a freelance illustration art studio – on the job training, the best kind! I have 10 years teaching experience and am versatile in all the mediums. I enjoy working one-on-one with my students so they may realize their goals.

“In my personal work I use a painterly technique and attempt to achieve a mood through color, value and composition. I hope to give the viewers a feeling of well-being and maybe transport them for a moment in time to the place I have painted.  In my classrooms, I like to give demonstrations and one-on-one personal attention to help develop each student’s skills”

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.