Meet Our Teachers
Sharon Cavanaugh
sharon@ct-artschool.com
Sharon founded Connecticut Art School, originally known as Monart School of the Arts, in 2003. Sharon recognized that many kids, including her own, were visual learners and art was an important part of their education, personal expression, and creativity. Her daughter Sarah was the main inspiration for starting the art school.
Sharon earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Medical Illustration from Rochester Institute of Technology and her Master of Science degree in Instructional Technology from Towson University.
Sharon has taught all levels of classes at CT Art School and she is responsible for overseeing and creating the curriculum. Sharon is a master problem solver with a can do attitude. The goal of Connecticut Art School has always been to engage kids in art and creative problem solving. Art provides a unique form of communication, a way to relax and unwind, and a way to connect with the world. Art truly is for everyone.
Sarah - the inspiration behind Connecticut Art School
Jena Maki
Jena was born and raised here in South Windsor, CT. She obtained her BFA from the Savannah College of Art and Design down in Savannah, GA. Before moving to Georgia, she attended Connecticut Art School as a student and began teaching classes here in 2014. After moving back to CT she continues her journey with us teaching Level 1 and Level 2 classes.
Jena's personal art career and love of painting is based in landscapes and the local New England scenery. She believes in artists (of all ages) finding what truly inspires them to create - and running with it! You can view her work on Instagram - @jenamaki.art .
Codi Alberti
Codi is from Somers, CT. She earned her BFA in Graphic/Information Design from Central Connecticut State University in 2013. She has worked as a Graphic Designer in the print industry for 6 years and has been a teacher at the Connecticut Art School since 2018. She’s always had a love and admiration for art and has traveled the world to see it. Along with travel, Codi loves to dance and go on hikes with her dog.
Cathy Levesque
Cathy was born in Minneapolis Minnesota and grew up in Southern California and New Jersey before settling in Bloomfield, Connecticut at the age of 14. She has always loved to draw and paint. An important influence was her High School Art teacher. He gave her a firm foundation in the basics of art and inspired Cathy to go to The Hartford Art School where her art education included: photography, ceramics, drawing, painting, and Art History
In January of 2007 Cathy began teaching at Connecticut Art School. She teaches Level 2 and 3 students. She loves watching the students improve their art skills and is always amazed at how creative they are. She also takes credit for coining the phrase “done-ish” - ask her students, they all understand the meaning. Cathy also works as a paraprofessional in Vernon Center Middle School.
Cathy officially retired at the end of Summer Camp in 2022 after 15 years at the art school. She’s still on call as a substitute teacher so hopefully we’ll see her at the school.
Immacolata Dunia
Miss Dunia was born in the small town of Reggio Calabria, Italy. She immigrated from Italy with her family and lived most of her youth in the Willimantic, CT area. She found herself sketching everything around her and loved art!
She pursued her love of fine arts and earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts at Eastern Connecticut State University. Miss Dunia attended additional classes at the University of Connecticut and studied a semester abroad at Scola Lorenzo Di Medici in Florence, Italy. Shortly after graduating, she started her career as a graphic designer, freelance painter, and illustrator.
She became employed as an English Language Tutor for Bloomfield Public Schools where she continues to teach English to her English Language students.
In September 2016, she joined the creative team and began teaching at CT Art School. Miss Dunia enjoys watching the excitement her students have trying new mediums and exploring their creative artistic talents. Miss Dunia is one of our substitute teachers.