B.A., emphasis painting and drawing, University of North Carolina, Asheville
M.F.A., 2-D Art, minor Art History, University of North Carolina, Greensboro
Email address: strammel@abtech.edu
Office:  Fernihurst Annex A, 203
Office phone: 254-1921 x814
Fax phone: 251-6355

As a native of Asheville, Sharon has taught and painted professionally in Western North Carolina since 1981. Currently serving as Lead Instructor of Fine Art at Asheville Buncombe Community College she also works as a mural painter and freelance artist. As a professional artist her career has included stained and etched glass, large scale murals, fine art painting and scenic impressions of the region. Examples of her work can be found in well known businesses and public spaces such as, the VA Hospital in Asheville and Salem, VA, the Asheville Airport, Apollo Flame Restaurant, the Trevi Restaurant, La Catarina, the Bistro Restaurant, the Shriners Hospital in Greenville, SC, Zealandia, the Health Adventure as well as, many private residences. In graphic art her work also includes designs for Bele Chere, in 1994 and 1996, interior and exterior signage for Wild Wings Café. 

In 1979 she received a Bachelor of Arts from UNC-Asheville, specializing in painting and drawing then went on to graduate with a Master of Fine Arts Degree from UNC-Greensboro in 1981. She returned to Asheville as a free-lance artist and started her own designer glass business specializing in stained glass overlay, stained, etched and beveled glass originals. In 1991 she sold her business and returned to her passion, painting and teaching. In painting her commercial work is described as "trompe l’oeil" mural painting. Her fine art paintings include works in oil, acrylic, watercolor and the gouache/pastel mediums. The subject matter ranges from landscape to figurative, primarily focusing on her interest in drawing, design, color and composition.

Full Time Faculty

Peter Carver
B.A., Drama and Communications, Stetson University
M.A., Drama, Texas Woman's University
M.F.A., Directing, University of New Orleans
Email address: pcarver@abtech.edu or pete626262@aol.com
Office:  FAA 201 (The Carriage House)
Office phone: 828-254-1921 x890
Fax phone: 251-6355

A co-founder of the A-B Tech Drama Club, Pete has directed The Boys Next Door, The Diviners, No Exit, The Good Doctor, Miss Julie, A Final Homecoming and Skeered?? for the department. He has also worked with such companies as NC Stage, Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre, Diana Wortham Theatre, Asheville Community Theatre, Parkway Playhouse, Ballet Warraba, Tulane Summer Lyric Theatre, Red Noses Productions, Oklahoma Shakespearean Festival, and the South Carolina Children's Theatre.

Pete is from Greenville, South Carolina, where he attended the Fine Arts Center and the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts. He and his drama students host the WNC Theatre League Unified Auditions each February, attracting theatre, media and talent companies, as well as actors, directors, designers, choreographers, technicians and musicians from around the region.

M.F.A., California College of Arts and Crafts (Film, Video, and Performance)
M.A., Western Carolina University (Studio Art - New Media)
B.F.A., Minneapolis College of Art and Design (Graphic Design)
Email address: dkareken@abtech.edu
Office: Sycamore 102
Office phone: 254-1921 x7631
Fax phone: 251-6355

B.F.A., College of Charleston, South Carolina
M.S., Art Education, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Email address: escruggs@abtech.edu
Office:  Fernihurst Annex A, Adjunct Office
Office phone: none
Fax phone: 251-6355

Eva Scruggs is a native of western North Carolina. She taught in Tennessee's public school system for two years before returning to N.C.  Eva is a painter, printmaker and classical sculptor. She runs a small scale sculpture operation out of her studio in Asheville's River District. She is also a beekeeper, an organic farmer, and a mom.

Paul Babelay
Music

Robert Graham Bennett, Jr.
Art
B.F.A., University of North Texas
M.F.A., Northern Illinois University
Email address: bennet.bob@abtech.edu
Office:  Fernihurst Annex A, Adjunct Office
Office phone: none
Fax phone: 251-6355

Laura Chaney
Drama/Humanities
B.S., Theater, Texas Woman's University
MFA, Theater, Tulane University
Email address: chaney.laura@abtech.edu
Office:  Fernihurst Annex A, Room 201
Office phone: 254-1921 X 7638

Beth Flanagan
Art
bflanagan@abtech.edu

Andrew Gall
Drama

Rita Hayes
Music
hayes.rita@abtech.edu

Kristen Jacobson

Jim Jenkins
Music
jjenkins@abtech.edu

Heather Lewis
Art
B.A. (Hons) Fine Art, University of Dundee, Scotland (Drawing and Painting)
M.F.A , University of Dundee, Scotland, (Drawing and Painting)
hlewis@abtech.edu

Heather Lewis explores the role of mechanical process in contemporary creative practice, using non-traditional media and approaches. Heather is a British visual artist, born in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, currently living and working in the USA. Her work has been shown in solo and group shows in galleries in the United States and abroad.

Lynette Miller
Photography
B.F.A., State University of New York at Buffalo (Photography)
M.F.A., State University of New York at Buffalo (Photography & Printmaking)
Email address: miller.lynette@abtech.edu

Lynette Miller explores alternative, innovative ways of creating and conceptualizing art, and encourages her students to do the same. Her work has been exhibited in galleries and museums both nationally and internationally. Before moving to Asheville, she taught photography at Niagara University, NY.

Leigh Mitchell
Photography

B.A. Warren Wilson College, Human Studies
M.A. Western Carolina University, Studio Art, concentrating in photography
Email address: Mitchell.Leigh@abtech.edu

David Novak
Drama
B.F.A. Southern Methodist University, Theatre: Directing
M.F.A. University of California at San Diego, Acting
Email address: dnovak@abtech.edu

Winner of the 2002 Circle of Excellence from the National Storytelling Network, Mr. Novak has many times been featured at the National Storytelling Festival. Other appearances include the Timpanogos Festival, Tejas Festival, Hawaiian Talking Island Festival, Cincinnati Playhouse, and The Kitchen Theatre. He has performed and taught as guest lecturer in the Czech Republic, Hong Kong, and New Zealand. In 1995/96, David was Master Storyteller for the Disney Institute in Orlando, Florida.

In Asheville, David has been seen on stage at North Carolina Stage Company as Joe Keller in All My Sons, Sir Toby in Twelfth Night and MC Dog in Go Dog Go! His original solo works Smoke From The Everglades, Chaste White & Blush Red, The Separation of Heaven & Earth, and Gilgamesh have been featured in the NC Stage Catalyst Series. His solo work, Hounded, was produced the 2005 North Carolina Stoneleaf Festival. Other acting credits include Starbuck in The Rainmaker at Alaska Repertory Theatre and the title roles of Hamlet and Scapino at the Theatre Project Company of St. Louis.

Mr. Novak is a member of Actors Equity Association.

Rene Ochoa
Music
rochoa@abtech.edu

Deborah Tatko
Art
dtatko@abtech.edu

Bill Weldner
Art
B.F.A. Rhode Island School of Design - Illustration
M.F.A. Syracuse University - Painting
Email address: weldner.william@abtech.edu

Before coming to A-B Tech, Bill was an Associate Professor of Art and Department Chairman at Fulton Montgomery Community College in New York. He has also taught at the University of South Carolina and Montreat College. His work is currently exhibited at the Asheville Gallery of Art, Burr Studio in Waynesville, Miya Gallery in Weaverville and several galleries on the South Carolina Coast.