Our Instructors

The Potocki Center for the Arts hosts a variety of professional artists for all classes to provide our students with the best artistic experience possible. If you are a professional interested in becoming an instructor, please visit our New Instructor page.

Bill Knauer

Bill paints scenes throughout the U.S., Tahiti, Europe, and Russia. For 20 years he has been a contributing artist in the Cove Gallery, Laguna Beach.

Carol McAlester

Carol, an alumna of Laguna College of Art and Design, discovered her love for chalk pastels during her Fine Art studies. Between teaching sessions, she enjoys painting portraits, landscapes, or creating characters for children's coloring books. Carol firmly believes that the enriching aspects of art creation should be accessible to all and is committed to guiding and empowering others in their artistic endeavors.

Di Cremer

Raised in South Africa, and moving from Berlin Germany, to the UK, to Mission Viejo, Di has always found her feet through art and creating. "I'm never one to take the rules as unbreakable. I like to learn them and then challenge them. I like to teach this way too." Di has not met a craft she doesn't like to do, and considers herself a lifetime student of art. "There is always more to learn."

Edward Campbell

A guitarist with over 15 years of experience helping students of all ages enjoy music. Trained at the Orange County School of the Arts and Berklee College of Music, he has performed everywhere from the Sydney Opera House to local wineries and community events. Eddie brings a supportive, encouraging style to his lessons and loves helping students build confidence, creativity, and a lifelong connection with music.

Eliane Cherman

Eliane finds joy in creating and exploring various forms of artistry. Whether it's candle making, interior design, painting, crafting, arranging flowers, or tending to plants, her love for creativity knows no bounds.

Erna Van Dyk

Erna is an artist with a passion for teaching and a penchant for sharing her talents with others. She believes anyone can create art and that art is accessible to everyone. Through Erna's colorful adventures, you will learn how to cultivate a love for painting and ceramics.

Jack Knight

Jack has taught painting and drawing both privately and at art stores. As the recipient of a Picerene Foundation Grant through GOALS, he has run afterschool art programs around Orange County for at risk youth. Aimed at building community engagement, he also does numerous free art events in and around Orange County.

John McMahon

John, a graduate from USC, is a professional photographer, filmmaker, and media producer. His work behind the camera blends a cinematic eye combined with a keen sense of visual literacy and storytelling, emphasizing composition, light, and emotional impact. He brings to the classroom a passion for helping students move beyond snapshots to create truly expressive images.

Kathleen Black

Born in Ecuador, Kathleen moved to the US when she was very young. She was a civil engineer until retiring early to pursue her passion of art. Besides teaching at the Potocki, you can find the watercolorist painting in her home studio, cheering on her granddaughters at their sporting events, or at the beach.

Liz Russo

Liz began hosting Succulent Workshops in Orange County in 2015 which bloomed into a year around business. Offering workshops, custom unique arrangements, landscape design and store fronts, she loves getting her hands dirty, create beautiful centerpieces and also share her knowledge for everyone to have a happy planting experience.

Maria Pahos-Benson

Maria discovered Zentangle in 2014 after years of believing she wasn't creative. In 2015 she became a certified Zentangle Instructor. Zentangle has brought both joy and calm into her life as well as ignited her passion for sharing it with others. She loves helping people explore their own creativity through this mindful, accessible practice.

Marlene Gerloff

Marlene earned a BFA from Massachusetts College of Art. She has worked as a graphic designer, artists' representative, and corporate director of education. Upon retirement, she became an exhibiting partner in a Laguna Beach art gallery.

Rachael Duran

Rachael Duran is the owner/maker at thunder textile, an artisan small business that specializes in hand-dyed textiles and apparel. She's a self-taught dyer and works exclusively with natural fiber textiles focusing on ice dyeing, shibori and natural dyeing.

Susan Ali

Susan received her master's degree in vocal performance from UCI and has taught voice at several collegiate institutions throughout Orange County. Having moved to Mission Viejo in 2020, Susan is excited to bring the joy of singing to her local community.

Tamara Griffin

Fiber artist Tamara considers herself a "Knitting Evangelist". She created her company The Knitting Lab to share her love and the benefits of knitting with others, especially those new to the art. She believes the possibilities of what we can create with our own hands are limitless.