Our Instructors

About Instructor Louis “Tony” Curiel
Louis (Tony) Curiel is a world-class neon-glass blowing craftsman that has won many honors and awards within the industry of glass art. He began his career in glass art in the early 1970s and has studied and worked along side some of the pioneers in the art form. He moved his neon glass blowing studios from Detroit  to Spencer in 2007.

About Instructor Jon Curiel
Jon Curiel has been blowing glass and working on a torch to create glass art over 9 years. He is glassblower at the Bogenrief Studios in Spencer and often demonstrates his art to large audiences.  Learn more about Jon by clicking here.

About Instructor Heidi Westphal
Heidi Westphal is a local jewelry artist who has been experimenting with stringing for over 5 years. She finds puzzle and the challenge of creating color & texture combinations endlessly fascinating. Heidi knows the thrill students experience when they are able to create artistic jewelry that suits their own personal style, and make one-of-a-kind fashion statements.

About Instructor Steve Booth

Steve Booth has a B.A. in Education from the University of South Dakota, and he's spent his adult life involved with fine jewelry and teaching. From 1973 to 1984 he owned and operated retail jewelry/art/craft stores. He is the founder of www.allamericanlapidary.com, an online jewelry store that focuses on designer lapidary and custom jewelry.  His work is on permanent display at the East Bank Art Gallery in Sioux Falls. Booth is now the lead instructor for Lapidary and Fine Jewelry classes at the CRVA.

About Instructor Amelia Painter

Amelia Painter is a Internet marketing and business professional that has written four books and hundreds of magazine and newspaper articles.  She is the founder of TotalWebDesigner.com and has been helping fine art artists market themselves and their art on the Internet for several years.