Instructors

Sharon enjoys exposing and engaging people of all ages to the wonders of the natural world. She embeds her art instruction with lessons about science, biodiversity and conservation. She has traveled to the Amazon often and much of her artwork is inspired by visiting remote and wild places. She also enjoys exploring midwestern habitats. She creates sculptural work in ceramic, glass and bronze, and also two dimensional work such as print making, drawing and painting.

Mark DuBois - Mark has decades of experience teaching students about insect biology and identification. He has conducted insect research on multiple continents and has published nearly 60 peer reviewed articles on various groups of insects. He is well versed in the biology and behavior of many different groups of insects. He has taught students as young as 5 and as old as 95.

Ella is a graduate of the University of Illinois Fine Arts department. She teaches artists of all ages and assists in gallery exhibits. She also shows her own work in various galleries and private collections She currently heads the primary and middle school art departments at Next Generations Primary School in Champaign, IL. She resides in Champaign with her husband Chad and daughter Zoe.

For over 25 years Dan has taught the subjects of Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Anatomy, Environmental Science, Agriculture, and Agricultural science for high school grades 9-12. Certified master naturalist, hunter and trapper, safety instructor, he is a 5th generation farmer with experience growing commercial crops, livestock, bees, orchards and maple sugar.

Gretchen is a professional Body Artist and Licensed Massage, and the owner of Divine Designs by Gretchen. She has over 12 years of experience as a henna artist and 3 years as a face painter. She also offers glitter tattoos, airbrush art, and custome costume design. She regularly works at local fairs, festivals and special events, bringining creativity and color to the community. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Art Education and spent 19 years teaching art, inspiring students of all ages to explore their creativty and express themselves through art. Gretchen and her husband Dan live on a farm in PawPaw with their 3 boys, where they enjoy spending time outdoors and sharing their love of nature and art with others.

Daisy is a local performer, director, stage manager, stage hand, sound designer, and committee member for Corn Stock Theatre, as well as a library administrator for Illinois Prairie District Public Library in Metamora. She’s an IATSE cardholding union stage hand, working backstage on touring productions at the Peoria Civic Center and has performed professionally on the stage of the former Broadway Lounge in Peoria.

Shelley has been teaching about science and stories and creativity to kids of all ages and abilities for the past 25 years in special education classes, gifted & talented programs, and camp experiences. Shelley is also a certified HealthRhythms Empowerment Drumming Facilitator who leads drum and rhythm events at schools, nursing homes, and other agencies. Art and Science in the Woods is Shelley's favorite week of the year!

Doug is the former Peoria Zoo’s herpetologist with nearly 40 years experience. He has worked with many highly endangered species and visited over 500 zoos. He is currently on the board of the Peoria Academy of Sciences, the Central Illinois Herpetology Socieity, and is also a board member for the Sun Foundation. He started volunteering at the Sun Foundation in 1981 as an instructor on reptiles and amphibians and loves every minute of it! He continues to lecture on his zoo life experiences. He is the current scholarship chairman for the Academy, and enjoys sending out grants and being outside.

Susie is a wildlife biologist who loves learning about our local wild animals and their habitats. She currently works as Chief Naturalist at the Peoria Park District and serves as President of Environmental Education Association of Illinois. She’s very excited to spend a week in the natural spaces at the Sun Foundation, one of her favorite places on Earth!

Guest Artist—MFA University of Illinois. Recipient of the State of Illinois Lincoln Award. Nationally exhibited sculptor and professional musician. Chairman of Sculpture Department, Art Institute of Chicago. Sun Foundation Board Member and Arts Advisor.

Megan is the Health and Social Sciences librarian at Miami University, Ohio. She received a Bachelor’s of Arts in Biological Sciences from North Kentucky University and a PhD in Botany from North Dakota State University where she researched algal ecology. Before becoming a librarian, she taught biology and non-majors environmental science courses as a an adjunct at several universities. She loves the opportunity to spend time outdoors and to share her knowledge about nature.

Yona loves to teach—from little kids to adults. Whole brain and experiential learning are the best—that is why Art and Science in the Woods rocks! Yona has three children that have attended camp for years and are now volunteer TAs. Yona loves to kayak, bicycle and takes long walks with his dog Rosie. Yona also consults, installs and teaches in the solar industry.

Adam Maas is an artist and instructor based in the Peoria area with over 20 years of experience. He has taught at various institutions, including the Sun Foundation’s Art & Science in the Woods (ASIW) program, the Contemporary Art Center of Peoria, and Lakeview Museum. An alumnus of Illinois State University, Adam continues to create art in his home studio. Throughout his career, he has worked and mentored under artists such as Preston Jackson, Jere Allen, Julie Wasson, and Tracy Snowman. In addition to his artistic endeavors, Adam is a chef, IT professional, cyclist, and proud father.

Luke grew up in rural upstate New York. He attended Colorado State University where he studied Natural Resource Management and Watershed Science. Luke has worked for several federal, tribal and non-profit organizations on river and forest habitat restoration projects. He currently resides in the Champlain Valley region where he works for the Ruffed Grouse Society in partnership with the Vermont Natural Resource Conservation Service. In his spare time, he enjoys cooking outdoors, fishing, hunting and working with various farms and watershed organizations.

Sue graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Special Education. She holds a certificate in Sign Language Interpreting from Illinois Central College. She is a mom and a science lover. She currently lives in Nashville, TN and works as a freelance sign language interpreter.

Originally from Central IL, she is a life-long ASIW camper, turned teacher, and credits camp for igniting her drive to follow her creative passions. Julia is a passionate fiber arts teacher whose work celebrates the beauty of sustainable, hands-on creativity. With a deep commitment to earth conservation and environmental stewardship, she integrates principles of recycling, upcycling, and mindful resource use into every aspect of her teaching. While guiding students through a range of fiber-based skills, Julia emphasizes the power of the slow arts—not just as a technique, but as a philosophy that fosters patience, connection, and mindfulness. Her approach encourages students to slow down, engage with their materials thoughtfully, and make something both beautiful and purposeful from the world around them. She often incorporates repurposed fabrics, natural dyes, and recycled materials into her lessons, reinforcing the message that creativity can coexist with sustainability. Through her classes, Julia aims to nurture not only the skills of her students but also their sense of responsibility as makers, instilling a love for both the craft and the planet. Through her practice, Julia believes that the slow, intentional act of creating with one's hands can help reconnect us with the earth, one stitch at a time.