Arzu Dugmeoglu Visual Art | is a first-generation Turkish-American artist and educator born in New Castle County, Delaware. Being the first woman in her family to graduate college, Arzu currently holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Printmaking from the Tyler School of Art at Temple University, with a concentration in Art Education. When she is not making art, you can find her hiking in the forest or cooking a comforting meal for her family and friends. She is a Delaware County local and Garnet Valley Alumnus, and continues a studio practice out of Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania. Arzu’s primary artwork focuses on printmaking processes such as copper etching, mono-print, lino-cut, woodcut, and plate/stone lithography. Though these techniques are very specific, she considers herself to be a well-rounded artist with experience and interest in multiple other mediums like oil painting, fiber work, ceramics, and jewelry making. Arzu had a thesis show at Temple University titled “Tea Time” in the spring of 2024, which reflected on growing up with two clashing cultures, centered around the social and ceremonial consumption of tea in her family’s home and country. Arzu’s work is described as being ‘whimsical’ and ‘relatable’ which is also how she pilots her practice as an educator, aiming for fun and room to explore in the classroom.
Grace Elliott Sewing | is a curator of an extensive private textile collection that requires constant replenishing since she sews it whenever possible. Since she was very young, she has sewn all sorts of fun and practical things including quilts, hand and machine embroidery, toys, garments, bags, and more. When not sewing or teaching at Darlington, Grace runs her small business With Grace Handmade, advocates for kids with medical needs in foster care, homeschools, or hangs out with her husband and six kids.
Kate Garchinsky Visual Art | is a professional illustrator and painter. She is the illustrator of seven children’s books and an Eckelberry Fellow at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University in Philadelphia. For seven years, she illustrated the award-winning The Secret Life series of narrative nonfiction picture books, written by Laurence Pringle (Boyds Mills Press, 2017–2023). Her atmospheric, realistic depictions of mammals in these books have received recognition from the National Science Teachers Association, the California and New Jersey reading associations, School Library Journal, and the Animal Behavior Society, among others. Kate leads art and nature programs in community centers throughout the Delaware Valley, including annual workshops with the Rushton Nature Keepers at Willistown Conservation Trust. Her ultimate goal is to inspire people of all ages to be curious and connect with the natural world—and themselves—through art. When she’s not teaching, birding, or making art, Kate enjoys live music, native gardening, hiking, and traveling with her husband and best friend, Brian. Together, they live with their two indoor kitties, Julia and Spenser, and their rescue pit-mutt, Ruby Roo, in a little blue house in Boothwyn, Pennsylvania. Visit her website at kategarchinsky.com, and find her on social media as @kategarchinsky.
Anna Bechtel Visual Art | is a multidisciplinary artist, focusing on ceramics and oil painting. She is a recent graduate of Fine Arts and Art Education at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. Prior to Darlington Arts Center, she has served as a temporary elementary art teacher, a camp counselor, and assistant instructor at the Baum School of Art in Allentown, PA. She currently works as a ceramics instructor at Clay on Main in Oley, PA. Although she creates primarily using two mediums; her experimentation, attention to process, and subject matter is common within both modes of creation. The subjective nature of her studio work explores themes of memory and interpersonal relationships. These themes translate through her personal experiences into her educational philosophy. She believes students should be the center of focus, and have an art experience that is meaningful and relevant to their lives and needs as a learner. When outside of the studio, you can find Anna going on hikes, gardening, tending to her many plants, and spending time with her roommates. Additionally, as a well rounded artist and educator, in her free time she enjoys exploring other mediums such as textiles and drawing.
Erika Matyok Drawing, Painting | Erika is a Professional Artist and Art teacher. Her creative work is primarily inspired by nature and incorporates use of symmetry and relaxation techniques. Matyok exhibits and sells her art in the Philadelphia area and her murals can be viewed around the city and its surrounding suburbs. In addition to keeping an active painting studio, Matyok teaches Art full time to children at a private elementary school and offers workshops at local art centers for teens and adults interested in learning folk art style painting techniques and the meditative method of mandala making.
Jessica Rogers Visual Art | is a ceramic and painting artist originally from Sparta, New Jersey. She graduated with a B.A. in studio art and psychology from Providence College, and received her M.S. in secondary education from Saint Joseph’s University. She loves exploring all mediums, and is always finding ways to incorporate new techniques into her artwork. In her free time, Jessica enjoys cooking, being with family, going to the beach, and spending time with her cat Sadie. Jessica is so excited to meet the talented students here at Darlington, and to join a welcoming community that shares her love of the arts! She is looking forward to teaching within the beautiful art spaces and campus at Darlington, and working with students in a fun and creative environment!
Jennifer Roman (she/her) Visual Art | Jennifer has been teaching both visual and performing arts for over 20 years. She holds an M. ED in Special Education and Pennsylvania certification in Art K-12 and Special Education. Jennifer taught ada
pted art and music to both school age students and adults with significant special needs for close to 15 years, as well as typical and gifted children and adults in community centers, after school programs, and arts organizations. Currently she works as a contract teaching artist at the Delaware Art Museum and the Darlington Art Center. When she is not teaching Jennifer is an active in community theater, as a musical theater performer and costume designer. As an artist she is deeply inspired by world cultures and mythology, responsible stewardship of the earth’s resources, and color and texture, and loves working in textiles and mixed media.