Artist, Teaching Artist
Literary, Music
Contact: Lora Zill
Phone: (814) 439-0914
Address:
250 High Street #5276
Conneaut Lake, PA 16316
Poetry and creative writing workshops.
Percussion and guitar for students who are challenged.
Stained glass mosaics.
Beach glass jewelry designs.
Artist statement:
The arts and crafts allow us to explore ideas, experiment, and discover beauty, rhythm, and harmony that enrich our lives. I work to give my students the confidence to try new ideas and explore new directions on their own. The value of the arts and crafts is to give each person the chance to learn a discipline/craft through which they can speak, or express themselves to an audience.
I grew up in the coal and clay mining area of central Pennsylvania and treasure my blue collar roots. My Appalachian region's rich history of music, literature (oral and written) and the crafts led me into pursuing a career in the arts and crafts and teaching what I have learned. I am professionally trained in writing and literature and self-taught in guitar, mandolin, stained glass mosaics and beach glass jewelry.
I have led poetry workshops for students of nearly any age. I love to engage students who are challenged in percussion and guitar (multicultural instruments and Appalachian music) and “Boomwhacker” experiences. I also teach at a local art gallery. My writing has been widely published and I edit and publish a poetry journal, Time Of Singing.
I have been a teaching artist with the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts for 20 years and teach composition and critical analysis at Gannon University. I’m also a faculty member in Allegheny College’s arts immersion programs for middle and senior high school students. I have spoken at conferences in Chicago, New York City, and Orlando and many in Pennsylvania.
My stained glass mosaics are displayed in a church in Greenville, Pennsylvania and I have won a commission for my work.
I live in Conneaut Lake and love to kayak and bike. I also love to read and have an extensive home library. I have two adult children and am owned by one cat. I am also a coffee snob!
