Becky Stone

Becky Stone has been a Chautauqua scholar since 2003. She moved to the mountains in 1978 with an undergraduate degree in Drama from Vassar College and a masters degree in Elementary Educational Counseling from Villanova University. By 2003, Becky was an established professional storyteller and actor in this region. She has researched and developed five characters: Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray, Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman, Maya Angelou, and Josephine Baker. Becky has performed these characters in North and South Carolina, Colorado, Ohio, Georgia, and Nebraska.

Carolina Quiroga 

Carolina is a bilingual storyteller who engages her audiences with chants, dances, puppets, and other props. Carolina has been a teacher-artist for The Wolf Trap Institute of Early Learning since 2016, where she created an integrated curriculum for Pre-K classrooms in San Antonio, Texas. Since arriving in the US, she has been featured in different storytelling festivals and has told stories in numerous schools, libraries, museums, and cultural institutions. Carolina’s repertoire brings to life the folklore of Latin American and Hispanic cultures. Her dedication to stories brought her to produce her literary podcast, Tres Cuentos, which showcases Latin America’s literature. Today, she has a YouTube Channel  @CarolinaQuirogaStoryteller, showcasing animated videos for kids, parents, and teachers to enjoy.

David Novak

David Novak is an award-winning storyteller, author and actor, performing on the main stage at the nation’s top storytelling festivals and as a featured storyteller at the prestigious National Storytelling Festival. David develops arts integrated curriculum as a North Carolina A+ Fellow and is Teaching Artist for The Wolf Trap Institute for Early Childhood Learning. He visits classrooms and stages from Hawaii to New York, and in countries around the world including 2019 tours in Poland, Australia, and Singapore. Prized for his vocal pyrotechnics and dynamic physicality, he brings ancient tales, classic myths, and original stories to life, captivating audiences of all ages.

EDWIN SALAS ACOSTA

Edwin Salas Acosta has been an artist of puppetry for 20 years, performing in Italy, France, Spain, Switzerland, Poland, Mexico, Cuba, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Colombia, Ecuador, Belize, Guatemala, the U.S., and Taiwan. He has many award-winning works including Witchcraft of Paper: Ecce Uovo, Stories of the color of the earth, Cocorí, Nightmare of Obraztov, and Moving Museum of the living beings. He has also written and published his book, Mechanisms of Puppets of Direct Action, that has been sold in the U.S., Europe and Asia. Click the button below to learn more about Edwin’s work, including recent performances in Asheville and beyond.

GINGER HUEBNER

Ginger Huebner is an artist, educator and collaborator with a Bachelor of Architecture and a Masters in Teaching Visual Art. For over 25 years, Ginger has used the mediums of collage and chalk pastel to translate and capture artistically what often transcends expression in mere words. Ginger’s work embodies people’s hearts, their dreams, their passions in life, and the moments and individuals that define and refine them. Ginger is the founding director of Roots + Wings School of Art and Design in Asheville, where she offers innovative art and design education programs for all ages. Ginger offers creating and consulting with schools, administrators, teaching teams and companies empowering creativity and connection everywhere. Her TED Talk “Conversations Beyond Words-Translating life through imagery & color” shares more about her work cultivating authentic connection through creativity. Click the button below to view more about Ginger’s work or visit Instagram @gingerhuebnerart @gingerhuebner_createandconnect

Ona Armstrong

Ona Armstrong is a ceramic artist living with her family in West Asheville, North Carolina. She offers ceramic classes for children and adults in the Fall and Spring and a sold-out full day Pottery Summer Camp for seven weeks each summer. She also offers studio and kiln rentals, birthday parties and private tutorials. Click the button below to view Ona’s work; you can also visit her on Facebook (Firefly Valley Design and Consulting) and Instagram (Firefly Valley Design.) She is a proud ceramic teaching resident of the TAPAS program, which is a part of her personal and professional mission to make ceramics equitable and accessible to all in Asheville. 

Phillip Nogueras

Phillip Nogueras is a musician, instrument maker, and student of the story of Life. Growing up in Miami, Florida, Phillip was within and amongst various cultures, where he learned about the many histories, foods, musics, and lifestyles that were around him. Coming from various histories and cultures himself, Phillip works with youth and adults to help nourish regenerative culture building in various communities in Western North Carolina. 
An educator for over 13 years, Phillip uses music and instrument making to connect people to their unique place within the natural, social, and historical ecologies of their life. Using simple instruments and tools, he teaches skills of communal listening, self-inquiry, and improvised self-expression.

FOR questions or for MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Marilee Woodard
TAPAS Program Coordinator
828 - 350- 6174
marilee.woodard@acsgmail.net