Instructors

Abby Fisher has been handweaving authentic Nantucket Lightship Baskets and complementary jewelry since 2019. She grew up spending summers on Cape Cod, where she developed a deep appreciation for the art form and a passion for the rich history behind the craft, which originated on historic lightships stationed off the coasts of Cape Cod and Nantucket. This traditional craft requires exceptional skill and patience, with each basket taking weeks to complete.

Abby is the founder of Fisher Nantuckets, where she personally designs and hand-weaves each piece in the collection using time-honored techniques. Her work honors the historical significance of Nantucket baskets while incorporating contemporary aesthetic sensibilities that appeal to modern collectors and enthusiasts. In addition to her craft work, she is dedicated to teaching this traditional art form to others, offering workshops and personalized instruction to preserve its heritage while keeping it fresh and relevant for future generations.

Abby Shenker has worked at the Weston AIC since 2022, where she serves as the Makerspace Technician, teaching safety and equipment training with a focus on accessibility, creativity, and hands-on learning. A graduate of Emerson College and holder of a certificate in Digital Modeling & Fabrication from IYRS School of Technology & Trades, she specializes in digital fabrication — work that sits at the intersection of digital technology and hands-on creative making.

At the heart of Abby’s teaching is a genuine belief that the makerspace belongs to everyone. She welcomes makers of all skill levels, fostering an environment where experimentation is encouraged and trial and error is simply part of the process. Whether you’re stepping into the makerspace for the first time or looking to level up your skills, Abby meets you with patience, expertise, and an infectious enthusiasm for what’s possible when creativity and technology come together.

Carson Eddy brings 45 years of expertise to every class she teaches. Her lifelong commitment to hand-crafting drives her instruction at the Weston AIC. Teaching spans textile arts, fiber arts, and beaded jewelry across all skill levels. Beginners and seasoned makers alike find her passion and welcoming approach transformative.

Carnegie Mellon University awarded her an M.F.A. in Costume Design. Academic and professional theater careers deepened her design expertise. Owning three Beadworks stores across Massachusetts gave her unique insight into maker communities. Through these stores, she created spaces where artists of every level found inspiration and support. She authored three instructional books: Beaded Jewelry: Stringing Techniques, Wirework Techniques, and Knotting Techniques. These guides are references for beaded jewelry makers and fiber artists everywhere.

Candice Wolk, a talented Weston resident, mastered the art of floral design after training at Judith Blacklock’s prestigious flower school in London, England.  She immersed herself in advanced arranging techniques during her years abroad. Furthermore, she brings her expertise to life through countless memorable parties and dinners, where her signature arrangements consistently captivate guests.

Beyond entertaining, Candice actively teaches flower arranging to both adults and children throughout the community, sharing her knowledge and passion for over a decade. Additionally, she demonstrates a keen ability to transform clients’ visions into reality by combining traditional techniques with innovative, contemporary approaches. As a result of her dedication to the craft, she has become a sought-after instructor and designer in the local area.  Her passion for flowers and commitment to excellence make her an invaluable resource for anyone interested in this beautiful craft.

Dahlia Popovits is an internationally recognized textile artist and master weaver with nearly 50 years of experience designing and creating award-winning handwoven clothing and accessories. Her work showcases an exceptional commitment to craftsmanship, utilizing the finest natural materials sourced from artisanal suppliers worldwide. Her distinctive weaving techniques blend traditional loom work with innovative, contemporary design sensibilities.

Her collection is featured at Dahlia Gallery in Boston, a dedicated space that showcases her handwoven textiles alongside work by prominent fiber artisans.  Popovits regularly exhibits her work at prestigious national juried craft shows, including the renowned Smithsonian Craft Show. Beyond her studio practice, she teaches weaving and fiber arts at respected Boston-area institutions. Her expert instruction covers both traditional weaving techniques and contemporary textile design approaches. Through her ongoing workshops, Popovits generously shares decades of technical knowledge with aspiring weavers and fiber enthusiasts. She is committed to fostering the next generation of textile artists through mentorship and hands-on instruction.

Elizabeth Stubbs has been an artist all her life, experimenting with a wide variety of media and materials along the way. She earned a BFA in Painting from Boston University, and after many fulfilling years as an art teacher, she transitioned into a career as a freelance illustrator. When she is not in her studio at home in Nahant, MA, she enjoys sharing her enthusiasm for felt-making with her students. She is a member of the North East Feltmakers Guild and the International Feltmakers Association.

Each chapter of her creative life has deepened her appreciation for the power of making things by hand. That appreciation found its fullest expression in 1997, when Elizabeth encountered the ancient art of felt-making during her Waldorf teacher training. Wool has become her primary medium — a material she finds endlessly expressive, tactile, and alive. Today, Elizabeth brings decades of artistic experience and a genuine love of craft into the classroom, creating a warm and encouraging space where students can discover the magic of working with wool for themselves.

Elizabeth Young Designs is a proud woman-owned microenterprise dedicated to spreading joy, love and affirmation one handmade card at a time. Elizabeth is a local card designer focused on creating custom handmade cards. She is the brains and the creative director behind each of her designs. Each card is handmade by her and only her!

Elizabeth and her family (a husband, a daughter, a dog and a snake-Yikes!) live just down the street in Weston, Ma. Feel free to drop her a line at ejonesyoung@gmail.com with inquiries or feedback.

Jerman Montañez is a printmaker and multimedia artist whose work explores print as a language of discovery. Drawing on a Bachelor’s degree in Printmaking from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt), he brings both technical rigor and an experimental spirit to everything he creates. Rather than treating the medium as fixed or finite, Jerman pushes its boundaries through bold experimentation — layering processes, blending techniques, and inviting the unexpected into his work. For him, every print is an opportunity to ask a new question, and every layer is a chance to tell a deeper story.

As an instructor, Jerman brings that same curiosity and generosity into the classroom. He creates a space where students feel free to experiment, take risks, and discover their own creative voice — because for Jerman, the process of making is just as meaningful as the finished piece.

Joel Angiolillo brings his expertise in repair and sustainability to the AIC. He’s firmly anti-trash and pro-reuse, and genuinely believes that fixing things is one of the most satisfying and empowering things a person can do. As a passionate advocate for the repair movement and circular economy principles, Joel demonstrates how taking responsibility for our belongings reduces waste and builds confidence in our own capabilities.

At the AIC, Joel hosts Fix-It First Hours every 4th Friday of the month, as well as Fix-It First workshops throughout the year—welcoming everyone from seasoned tinkerers to complete beginners. His inclusive approach to repair education has made community fixing accessible and encouraging, helping participants develop practical skills while discovering the joy of giving broken items a second life. Whether you’re looking to repair something specific, learn new skills, or join a community of resourceful problem-solvers, Joel’s Fix-It First programs offer guidance in a supportive, judgment-free environment.

Jude Heichelbech earned her BFA in Painting and Sculpture in the early 1990s and has been a practicing artist for over 35 years. Throughout her career, she has worked fluidly across a wide range of mediums — including drawing, painting, sculpture, and stained and etched glass — bringing the same sense of curiosity and craftsmanship to each one. Her willingness to move between disciplines reflects a deep belief that creativity thrives when it isn’t confined to a single form.

Jude resides in an artist live/work space where making art and music is simply part of daily life. She brings genuine enthusiasm and warmth to her adult art classes, creating a welcoming environment where students feel encouraged to explore, experiment, and grow at their own pace. Visit her at Corporealis.com.

Kathy Aluia is a textile artist, sewing and quilting enthusiast and visual arts storyteller. I have been facilitating learning and encouraging students of all ages for over 25 years.

I believe our powerful and innate urge to create with imagination, wonder and emotion makes us unique. Skewing, stretching and challenging the boundaries of materials and their properties is part of my artistic journey.

Using the mono print Gell Plate technique gives permission to play with color, texture, and layers employing a wide variety of materials and mediums. We always make a wonderful mass, inspire each other and challenge our brains akin to a  NYT’s puzzle. Most of all we generate great artistic energy that flows out of our hearts and hands.

Liz Heichelbech is an author, artist, educator, and creative coach whose work is rooted in a simple but powerful belief: creativity belongs to everyone. A former Weston Middle School teacher and instructional coach, Liz spent years helping students and educators discover their potential. Today, she channels that same passion into designing inclusive, playful “artventures” for adults. Her classes offer a welcoming space where anyone can reconnect with their own creativity for joy, insight, relaxation, and mindfulness.

Liz holds an ICF certification in life coaching and is an active member of the Creativity Coaching Association, bringing a thoughtful, whole-person approach to everything she teaches. Whether you’re a lifelong artist or someone who hasn’t picked up a paintbrush since childhood, Liz meets you exactly where you are. Visit her at lizheichelbech.com.

Matt Day is passionate about trees — and the way they weave themselves into so many of the joyful moments of our lives. Swinging from a branch, building a stick fort, forming the homes that shelter us — trees are an integral and deeply personal part of the human experience. In his work, Matt reclaims local logs and gives them a second life as functional art. It is his way of honoring the material, the memory, and the quiet beauty that lives inside every piece of wood.

Matt has been working in wood for over 15 years, building his expertise through a rich combination of self-study, periods of formal instruction, and meaningful conversations with mentors and peers. He began sharing his knowledge by teaching carving in private and small-group settings and has since guided over 200 students through the craft. In the classroom, Matt brings the same warmth and wonder he finds in the wood itself.

Mariko Sugimori is a creative spirit, a mom, and a first-generation Japanese-American fiber artist specializing in visible mending and sustainable textile arts. She is inspired by her mother’s boundless creativity and her father’s ability to fix absolutely anything! Her love of fiber arts began as a child, sewing doll clothes on her mom’s vintage Singer sewing machine and learning to knit at her local yarn store.

Her creative visible mending journey is partly inspired by her Japanese father, who instilled in her the concept of Mottainai, which roughly translates to “what a waste.” It is a phrase commonly used to express regret for throwing something away when it still holds value.  Through her work in sustainable crafting and textile renewal, Mariko teaches others how to transform worn garments into unique, wearable art while honoring the environmental and cultural principles that guide her practice. Her approach blends traditional Japanese aesthetics with contemporary fiber art techniques, making her a sought-after instructor and mentor in the visible mending and slow fashion communities.

Melony Poirier owns and designs at Madden Lane Studios, a boutique bindery and graphic design studio that specializes in exceptional bookbinding, artist books, letterpress, and printmaking services. She actively creates stunning custom-bound books that combine traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetic sensibilities. Moreover, Melony brings years of expertise to every project, expertly transforming blank pages and raw materials into cherished works of art.

Madden Lane Studios offers comprehensive bookbinding instruction, allowing Melony to share her passion and knowledge with aspiring artisans and designers. She skillfully blends time-honored binding traditions with contemporary design principles, producing artist books that stand out as functional works of art. Whether clients seek custom binding services or want to learn printmaking techniques, they discover a dedicated craftsperson committed to excellence. Ultimately, Madden Lane Studios represents Melony’s unwavering dedication to preserving and advancing the beautiful arts of bookbinding, design, and printmaking.

Sally Meding is a signature member of the Southwestern Watercolor Society, New England Watercolor Society, and Rhode Island Watercolor Society, recognized for her distinctive approach to watercolor painting. A native of London, UK, she emigrated to the United States in 1990 after completing her PhD in Freiburg, Germany, bringing with her a rich artistic and academic background. She maintains a studio in Natick, MA, where she creates and teaches watercolor to students of all levels in the Metro West Boston area.

As a versatile artist, Sally creates both abstract and realistic works in watercolor on paper., Her artwork reflects her love of the environment and Mother Nature, with environmental themes serving as a primary source of inspiration throughout her body of work. Through her teaching practice, Sally mentors emerging artists in watercolor fundamentals while encouraging personal artistic voice and exploration. Her commitment to both creation and education has established her as a respected figure in the New England watercolor community.