Staff & Instructors

The Arts Center has an all-star cast of staff members and instructors who offer incredible experience, character and creativity to our community.

 

JEFFERY OPHIME, Executive Director

 

ophimearts@windstream.net

229.985.1922 x24

 

 

 

LIN SHEFFIELD, Assistant Director

Bio & picture coming soon.  

linarts@windstream.net

229.985.1922 x22

 

 

 

JANE SIMPSON, Visual Arts Director

Attended Georgia Southern University, Atlanta College of Art and graduated from Florida State University with a BFA in Fine Arts Studio Painting.  She has been with the Arts Center since 1982 and has served as an instructor, Executive Director and is presently Visual Arts Director.  She has served as a site reviewer for the Georgia Council for the Arts, has been a board member for the Southeastern Museum Conference, Liason for the Southeastern Museum Directors, served as a board member for the Georgia Association of Museums & Galleries.  Currently a consultant for the Georgia Council of the Arts in Art Education.  She is a professional painter with exhibitions in various galleries & homes through out the United States.

djsarts@windstream.net

229.985.1922 x25

 

 

 

MICHAEL RYCE, Music Instructor (Drums, Voice, Piano)

Graduated from Valdosta State University with a BA in Philosophy & a minor in Music.  He is Music Director at Jones Chapel AME in Sylvester, GA.  Executive Director of Southern Arts Music Ensemble (SAME) in resident at Colquitt County Arts Center.  His a Georgia Council for the Arts Teaching Artist and a Southern Arts Federation Artist.

 

 

 

DARRELL PHILLIPS, Music Instructor (Guitar, Bass)

Bio & picture coming soon.

 

 

 

 

BETH MILLER, Music Instructor (Violin, Cello)

 

 

 

 

DR. PHILIP TURLEY, Music Instructor (Voice)

Bio & picture coming soon.  

 

 

 

CONNIE FRITZ, Drama Instructor

Connie Fritz is the founding Director of ACT II-Arts Center Theatre for Youth, with over 15 years of experience in community and children's theatre. Having taken numerous workshops and classes at Darton College, Valdosta State University, Columbus State University and University of West Georgia to name a few, Connie is always looking for opportunities to sharpen her skills to provide youth in Colquitt County with quality classes and live theatre performance opportunities. Connie is the Diretcor of Christian Education for the First Presbyterian Church in Moultrie and resides in Colquitt County with her husband, Steve.

 

 

SALLY SHOVAR, Art Instructor

Bio & picture coming soon.  

 

 

 

KATHY NELSON, Art Instructor

 Attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Art, transferred to Atlanta College of the Arts.  Taught at Academy Arts in Lawrenceville, GA; Callanwolde Fine Arts Center in Decatur, GA; Shoshannah Arts Center in Jacksonville, FL as a painting instructor.  She is a professional painter with exhibitions and sells through out North & South America.

 

 

 

KARINE SASINE, Art Instructor

Award winning and published mosaic artist, Karen Sasine, is a graduate from Savannah College of Art and Design, with a BFA in Interior Design, and has also attended many advanced mosaic courses throughout the world including the Master of Mosaics course in Venice, Italy. She is also a professional member of SAMA, The Society of American Mosaic Artists. “Mosaics are a perfect medium to create art that expresses my love for the rich and beautiful materials that are available. My style is extremely varied, as I still explore all that is possible.”
 
To see Karen's work go to www.rainbowmosaics.com

 

 

 

LOVEDY GRINER, Dance Instructor

Bio & picture coming soon.  

 

 

 

VESNA GALTERE, Language Instructor

Vesna Galtere is a native of Croatia.  She lived and studied in France acquiring a Bachelor's degree and Special Certification in French and Early Childhood Education.  She has taught for 20 years.  Her classes are fun and cover cultural aspects as well as language.

 

 

 

PONDA McKINNEY, Performing Arts & Yoga Instructor

Ponda has 20 years' experience directing plays and teaching piano.  She has trained at Virginia Beach University (Virginia Beach, VA) and Callanwolde Fine Arts Center (Atlanta, GA).  She has been involved in numerous theatre conferences and workshops throughout Georgia and Florida.  Ponda also has four years as a yoga instructor and is a licensed practitioner with Yoga for the Special Child®.