...:: The Art Institute of Weston offering art classes using experienced art professionals ::..

Faculty

Conchita Firgau: Master Artist
Having a Master Artist as a fulltime teacher on the premises is what separates the Art Institute of Weston from all the Art Schools in Florida. Conchita Firgau was born in Venezuela, where she is highly respected as one of the country’s leading artists. She began painting as a child, showing remarkable skills at an early age. Her teacher in Caracas recognized her talent and suggested she continue her education in Spain where after she studied at the prestigious Escuela Superior De Bellas Artes de San Fernando, in Madrid. Conchita has exhibited in major Art Galleries and Museums throughout Europe, North- Central- and South America. Corporations, Museums and individual collectors collect her paintings.

Visit www.ConchitaFirgau.com

She has created major artworks for the Coca-Cola Company, the Coca-Cola Museum, the Karls Benz Foundation, the American Arts Foundation, Art Miami, Weston Town Center, Weston Art Festival and her work has appeared in several books and magazines.

	Maria Wieder: Associate Professor Born in Havana and raised in Queens, NY, Maria graduated from Mary Louis Academy in 1977 and received a degree in Graphic Design at the NY Institute of Technology. Maria studied art & drawing under Conchita Firgau and after having sold several of her paintings, she became a teacher's assistant to Ms. Firgau in the children's art classes.
	Anabel Papouchado: Associate Professor. Graduated from the Faculty of Architecture, Design and Urbanism of the University of Buenos Aires , Argentina, in 1994, with a Bachelor Degree in Textile and Apparel Design . She was in the Apparel Business for more than 12 years designing collections for an International Sportive Brand. She was a teacher in the University of Buenos Aires and in the Palermo University in Argentina. After moving to United State she returns to her passion for the art running into the drawing, painting and her love with the sculpture. She is current in charge of the ceramic department.
	Ana Maria Cano de Aguerrevere: Associate Professor Ana has an impressive resume with 20 years of academic studies & practical experience ranging from music (piano) & art to interior design & architecture. As a professional architect, Ana's designs also include furniture design! She is currently teaching ceramics, art & crafts at The Art Institute of Weston.
	Sonia Mariano: Associate Professor Sonia is from Venezuela. She has always enjoyed drawing and making arts and crafts. She completed art courses at La Escuela de Arte Pasaje Zic where she learned drawing and painting techniques. She is an avid horseback rider and participates in races and jumping competitions. .
.	Nathalia Betancourt Originally from Colombia, Natalia began her studies as a psychology major at the Catholic University in Bogota, Colombia. After moving to South Florida, she received her associates degree from Broward Community College and plans to continue working on her Bachelors degree in psychology along with a minor in fine arts.
.	Maria Elena Cano She was born in Venezuela. One of seven children, Her life has been influenced by art since her childhood because of being the daughter of Conchita Firgau. She studied and graduated as a Jewelry Designer and Maker, and has had several exhibition showing her skills and imagination for beautiful artwork She has worked in an Art Gallery for the last 6 years, in which she has met and learnt about many important artists and painting techniques. Working at the Art Institute of Weston for the last 4 years has been a great experience for her career.
	Pedro Pablo: Guitar Instructor Born in Cali, Colombia in 1965, he was raised in a musical family. His father, Pedro Pablo Rodriguez SR, played the bandola (typical Colombian instrument) with important Colombian musicians like the master Pedro Morales Pino and the master Alvaro Romero. Pedro Pablo Rodrigues Jr started his musical studies at the age of 8, at Angelica Ortiz Musical School, in Cali (Col). He sang in different scholar bands and later became a member of ARS NOVA, now BELL CANTO Prestigious chorus in Columbia, playing guitar and singing baritone for 10 years. During that time, he was privileged to be a special guest at the "MONO NUNEZ FESTIVAL" in Ginebra (COL). As a composer, his latest composition (lyric and music) is a song called "WESTON - A LITTLE PIECE OF HEAVEN" - a beautiful song that identifies the city of WESTON, Florida. He has recorded several musical albums and recently he wrote a guitar method for children, called "DISFRUTANDO LA GUITARRA" (Enjoying the Guitar).