Ed Allen has performed magic and circus technique for over 30 years, all over the United States and in nine countries around he world. He has taught at Ringling Brothers Clown College and City Circus Arts School in New York. He is the CEO of Fantasy Theatre Factory (www.ftfshows.com) in Miami.

Silvia Bota, a native of Cuba, has a master’s degree in journalism and has published her reports on the flora and fauna of Cuba. She is a member of the American Society of Botanical Artists and of the Tropical Botanic Artists Group.

Frances Brown is a professionally trained Pastry Chef and former owner of The Pineapple Blossom Tea Room in Miami’s Upper East Side. She has worked in South Florida for 15 years in top restaurants and hotels, both as a Pastry Chef and as a Chef. Strongly committed to eating local and seasonal, she strives to keep her delights fresh, flavorful, fun and balanced.

Christopher Bulgarin, a graduate of Johnson and Wales, is well versed in the workings of the Florida cuisine community. Chef and owner of Delicious Catering, he has worked with many local chefs, taught classes and made guest appearances on television.

Helen Burgos studied in England and the U.S. She holds an M.F.A. from FIU where she is an adjunct professor and teaches drawing and painting. She has been teaching her popular drawing and oils classes at Fairchild for nine years.

Helen Burkett attended the University of Maryland, Corcoran School of Art and various art study groups. An award-winning watercolor painter and exhibitor, she was featured in American Artist magazine and Who’s Who of American Women.

Richard Campbell, Fairchild’s Sr. Curator of Tropical Fruit, has diverse interests, ranging from collecting antique bottles to exploring secret fishing holes with his three sons.

Melissa Contreras, Special Events Associate at Fairchild and lifelong plant lover, graduated from Florida International University. She is the creator of the Urban Oasis Project, which is dedicated to reducing turf grass and increasing the use of food plants for people, birds, butterflies and wildlife.

Carolyne Coppolo is the owner of the Redland Herb Farm, where she has been a commercial herb grower since 1997. This is her fifth year teaching at Fairchild.

Bernadette Denoux now works as a jeweler, after 30 years as a high school special education teacher. Besides teaching, she is also a member of the South Florida Jewelry Arts Guild and one of the founders of the South Florida Metal Clay Society.

Betty Eber has been cultivating and collecting orchids for many years and recently completed a UF Orchidology course. Past president of the Orchid Society of Coral Gables, she is a popular speaker.

Everglades National Park Rangers

Elaine Farquharson, formerly a Horticultural Technician at the Broward County Extension Service, has been growing tomatoes for over ten years. She is an experienced teacher who has mastered the technique of growing tomatoes in South Florida and is eager to share her success with others.

Tricia and Chayo Frank are long time Fairchild members and have participated in many of the local and International plant societies while volunteering at FTBG.

Dottie Greene is a signature member of both the National and Florida Watercolor Societies. Her love for the natural world began at an early age and is a central theme in her art. Having taught all ages, Fairchild is proud to have her as an instructor in our lifelong learning program.

Roger Hammer is the senior interpretive naturalist for Miami-Dade Parks and Recreation Department and the author of Everglades Wildflowers, Florida Keys Wildflowers, and Exploring Everglades National Park. His extensive knowledge of South Florida makes him a popular instructor.

Erin Healy, Discovery Program Coordinator at Fairchild, educates children and adults alike on environmental conservation topics, both at Fairchild and through her volunteer work with local environmental and city agencies. A long-time vegetarian, she loves to cook and is currently experimenting with live food recipes.

Maida Yap Jimenez is an experienced flower artist with a B.A. in advertising and graphic design. She brings all the colors and energy from her native country of Panama to her paintings.

Billo Jolly co-owned Taste of India and Punjab Palace restaurants. She has taught Indian cooking at Fairchild, Bobbie and Carole’s Cook Shop and at MDC Kendall Campus.

Diane V. Jones has been beading for over ten years and has studied with some of the most famous bead artists in the United States. A very popular and patient instructor, she currently teaches classes at Bead Need in Davie and at Fairchild.

Judy Kay has a B.S. in medical technology. She has practiced Tai Chi for over 15 years and teaches at Mercy Hospital’s Kohly Center for Rehabilitation.

Pedro Lastra awoke his passion for photography in high school, then served as Brown University’s yearbook photo editor. After leaving a successful 12-year international corporate career he is currently pursuing his deferred vocation as a photographer, digital photo printer and digital darkroom expert. A world traveler, his award winning photographs have appeared on numerous magazine covers.

David Maddern, a musician and visual artist who transfers the elements of music to his paintings, has work in many collections here and abroad. For more than ten years, he has gently guided numerous students in watercolor techniques.

Pam Manresa has over 20 years of culinary experience and spent 16 of those years as corporate chef for Gardner’s Markets. Her passion is proving that nutritious foods can be simple, delicious and fun.

James McAnallen has been a member of Fairchild since 1971. He has designed gardens throughout the eastern United States. Many local gardens that he has designed reflect his special interest in South Florida natives.

David McLean, a Landscape Designer, was a design instructor at Broward Community College and designed the Medicinal Garden at Nova Southeastern.

Chris Migliaccio teaches natural science at Miami-Dade College and has taught palm and native plant classes at Fairchild for many years.

Elsa Nadal, a native of Cuba, has been a perennial art student who, for better or “best,” has chosen to concentrate on botanical illustration. She is a member of the American Society of Botanical Illustrators and of the Tropical Botanic Artists Group.

Maureen O’Rourke, a Pilates instructor and former dancer, teaches anatomy and kinesiology at the New World School of the Arts’ Dance Division. She uses Pilates to rehabilitate injured dancers and also has a private practice in massage therapy.

Susan Petersen, educated in design and experienced in construction, used her background to develop her business “Another Dimension Mosaics.”

Paul Radice, owner of Angels Hatchery, established in 1972, is a producer, importer and exporter of fancy Koi and African Lake Cichlids.

Lanette Sobel is co-founder of the Fertile Earth Foundation; a non-profit dedicated to environmental awareness and environmentally focused research. Her dream is to bring commercial composting to Miami-Dade.

Johnson Teh, executive chef of Lan Pan-Asian Cafe, specializes in East Asian cuisine. Chef Teh has over 20 years of culinary experience, including cooking at the Mandarin in Beverly Hills.

Donna Torres has an M.F.A. from FIU and is an accomplished botanical illustrator. She draws on her extensive travels for inspiration. Mrs. Torres has been teaching botanical illustration courses at Fairchild for nine years .

Alison Walker, Education Outreach Community Coordinator, studied pest and disease management at the University of Florida. While working at UF and at the US Department of Agriculture, her research focused on the biological control of exotic and invasive pests in Florida.

Jeff Wasielewski has taught horticulture classes for over 15 years at Fairchild and Miami Dade College. He is also a Certified Arborist with a master's degree in education. Jeff has held positions at Fairchild as a Horticulturist and as the Assistant Curator of Tropical Fruit. He currently works in the Marketing Department.

Lynda Wellens graduated from the University of Miami with a bachelor’s degree in art and a master’s degree in education. She loves to teach and enjoys assisting students as they prepare for their exciting journey into watercolors.

Marcelle Zanetti has a B.S. in painting and art education from Southern Connecticut State University and attended the University of Massachusetts. Represented by galleries nationwide during the past 25 years, her paintings are in permanent museum, corporate, and private collections. See www.marcellezanetti.com for more information.

Lea Zinke's involvement with the fascinating art of lampwork beads began eight years ago when she attended an art festival at the University of Tampa and watched a vendor demonstrating the art of making glass beads. Since then she has studied with many wellknown glass bead artists. When not teaching, she works in a delightful 1930's cottage-style studio behind her home in Clearwater.