Jae Kazmar (‘18)

Jae Kazmar (‘18) is a nonbinary, queer, neurodivergent interdisciplinary creator.  They are a jack-of-all-trades, specializing in fiber arts with a passion for science.  They graduated from Kutztown University in 2018 and currently live in Reading, PA with their life partner and three cat-kids.  Jae works in the product design industry as a Technical Craft Designer; creating prototypes, photo models, and samples for needlecraft kits and other craft products.

Jae has a background in painting that sparked their obsession with color. In their personal practice, Jae is inspired by the interconnectedness of self and the universe. They use their art to explore their inner and outer ecosystems.  They seek to rediscover “play,” embrace curiosity, and integrate creativity into everyday life. 

Erika Stearly (‘09)

Erika Searly (‘09) is an American painter living and working in Pennsylvania. She's the recipient of multiple grants, including those from the Black Rock Arts Foundation and the Puffin Foundation. She completed her MFA in both Painting and Drawing in 2014, and held Artist-In Residence positions with Wilson College, Penn State University and was a Visiting Faculty Fellow with KU. In 2019, Ms. Stearly decided to run her studio practice as a small business, and now makes a living selling paintings to strangers on the internet. She is represented by galleries in Atlanta, Birmingham, and Pittsburgh and works with art dealers to exhibit in art fairs around the world.

James Maria (‘12)

James Maria, born in Reading, Pennsylvania, pursued both a BFA and BSAE at Kutztown. Since graduating summa cum laude with Chamblis and Sheradin awards, James has been awarded at international invitational and juried exhibitions while steadily producing both solo and group exhibitions in Lancaster, Philadelphia, and Chelsea. He also owns and operates a private tattoo studio full time

Organizations such as the American Watercolor Society, TWSA, and Watercolor USA have been immeasurably valuable in his career, providing exhibition opportunities as well as critical exposure in national and international markets. James has also advanced in interdisciplinary juried exhibition circuits, especially in shows pertaining to representationalism and to themes surrounding spirituality and human environment interactions.

His work and writing have been featured in issues of both Watercolor Artist and Professional Artist magazines. He continues to maintain his studio practices at the Goggleworks Center for the Arts, in Reading.