Tony Armendariz (b. 1964, Chicago, IL) is an award-winning contemporary realist artist living and painting in Palatine, Illinois. His work focuses on figurative subjects rendered in watercolor. Graduating from the American Academy of Art in Chicago, he studied under renowned watercolor instructor Irving Shapiro.

Jackie is inspired by the environment and the lake where she lives, nature and seasons, and noticing beauty in everyday life. In teaching mixed media classes Jackie revisits and studies different artists and techniques over and over again, which leads to new paths to create artwork. She is also inspired by life drawing sessions and classes she takes.
Jackie graduated with a BA in studio art and history in 1992, and she has done graduate study in painting and art education.

Mami Takahashi is a Japanese multidisciplinary artist and a scholar working in multiple cities including Chicago and Tokyo. With ongoing artistic research, practice, and teaching, Takahashi explores different approaches to actualize Japanese aesthetics to enhance cultural perspectives in many U.S. communities. Takahashi also aims to connect between Japan and communities in Chicago by teaching traditional and modern art-making techniques.