September-December 2024
The BFAC is proud to present Live Out Loud, a powerful showcase of artwork by Batavia Public Schools’ Art & Media Teachers. Through their creations, these talented educators express their own experiences and inspire others to do the same.
— Live Out Loud
What we create is an extension of who we are and how we live … it ripples out from us into the vast openness of the world and hopefully connects to another… a thread tying us together in the ups and downs, and joys and sorrows of being human.
To live out loud is to exclaim
“I am here and this is me and this is what I know…
and this is what I see and this is what I feel.”
As artists we want to share what we see and what we experience as we walk through this world.
As teachers we want to encourage others to do the same… to find wonderment, to explore, to examine, to heal – to find their voice and raise it up so that they then inspire others to do the same.
And the cycle continues.
This show highlights work from Art Teachers here in Batavia. We are passionate about making art and we are passionate about helping others find their way to making art.
So they can live out loud too.
Andrea Schindlbeck
Jennifer Melendez
Nikki Pappanduros
Kathleen Tieri Ton
Jenna McKnight
Emily Smith
Kayla Koss
Laura Starzec
Kayla Koss
artist
Kayla is a graduate from Northern Illinois University, specializing in drawing, photography, and digital illustration. With a passion for capturing unique perspectives, Kayla’s work in photography offers viewers a glimpse of everyday scenes, objects, or locations through her eyes.
Her work, whether it’s a photograph or anything else she creates, is marked by a keen eye for detail, composition, and emotion. Kayla loves sharing her perspective through visual storytelling, allowing viewers to see everyday objects and landscapes in a new light. By combining her skills across various mediums, she creates a dynamic work that invites the viewer to pause, reflect, and appreciate the world around them.
Jenna McKnight
artist
Jenna McKnight has been teaching at Rotolo Middle School for 17 years.
“Over the years my style and art have changed. I am excited to start a new journey of creating art to help others feel beautiful. Maybe it is something you want to celebrate or love about your body, maybe it’s an insecurity. My job is to help you see how beautiful you are no matter what your body looks like. This new adventure is one that fills my heart. Let me help you see all the beauty that is you.”
facebook: JD Designs
Jennifer Melendez
artist
Jennifer Melendez has been an art educator at Batavia High School since 2009 specializing in Interior Design, Fashion Design, Art Fundamentals, and Adaptive Art. In addition to education, Jennifer is a local artist who works in ceramics, fluid painting, and fiber arts. Her work explores our connection to nature and the human condition.
Nikki Pappanduros
artist
Nikki Pappanduros is a 2D artist based in Warrenville, Illinois.
“I primarily work in colored pencil because I am a control freak and that medium is kind enough to let me believe I am in charge. When left to my own devices, I like to create non-representational images. That being said, for the last few years I’ve been a member of a local artist troupe called ArtBar. We do themed art shows each month. Since joining, I’ve been creating art with slightly more obvious references to people, places and things.”
You can follow her on Instagram at @nap.app.and or at www.society6.com/nikkipapp
Andrea Schindlbeck
artist/curator
Andrea has been teaching at Batavia High School for 24 years.
“I graduated from Northern Illinois University with a BFA degree in Design, I earned a Teaching Certificate from Elmhurst College and my MA degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Aurora University. Through my MA program I worked on developing conceptual art lessons that encourage students to add layers of meaning to their work. It’s important to create pieces that are personal and connect to your experience in this world. The arts have the potential to uplift and push people and culture forward in a positive direction. They allow us to problem solve and to invent… to create what we want the world to be. I continue to explore my own art through photography, design, drawing and painting.”
Look for little joys and unexpected moments – they make life worth living
website: gallery1126.com
instagram @gallery1126
Emily Smith
artist
Emily Smith is an artist from Batavia, Illinois. She enjoys working in a multitude of media, and continuing to learn new techniques to bring to her classes. At Batavia High School she teaches Art Fundamentals, 3D Art and AP Art. She was an AP grader in 2024, joining 300 other instructors from around the country to score AP Art portfolios.
Laura Starzec
artist
“I have been a K-5 art educator for the past 21 years. In the summer of 2020 my own two children and I explored art making together by painting over some large scale photos and canvases. They created abstract designs and I added my own animal drawings and symbols on top. I have always loved animals and have happy memories of walking around the Brookfield Zoo with my kids for hours, so animals have always been a favorite subject and symbol of mine. I also enjoy making art with tools that I use in my elementary school classroom such as oil pastel, glue sticks, pencils, tissue paper and puff paint. I like the challenge of creating with tools that we typically think of for crafts or for kids. I created two paintings for this show; they share my ideas about parental approval (Oh, No! You Don’t!) and the comforts of cleaning (Comfort).”
Kathleen Tieri Ton
artist
Kathleen is an art educator with expertise in design and creative career education at the secondary level. She is dedicated to making art and design accessible to all students, supporting students interested in creative careers, and creating welcoming school communities. She is passionate about the power of curriculum design, collaboration, the role of the teacher, and the impact of learning spaces on art and design students. Kathleen holds a BA in Studio Art from Indiana University Bloomington, an MAT in Art Education from Columbia College Chicago, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Art Education at Indiana University. Kathleen lives in Batavia with her husband, three children, and a menagerie of animal friends.