Our Directors and Staff
Board of Directors
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Michael Cummings
President
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Elise Huemoeller
Secretary
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Elizabeth Spencer Berthiaume
Board Member
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Ryan Fowler
Michael Cummings
President
Michael has a long history in the arts. He started with an undergraduate degree in Art Education from the University of Dallas, wanting to become an art teacher. Once completing his Texas teaching certification he embarked on a journey to Graduate school at the Indiana State University where he received his Masters of Fine Arts with concentrations in Ceramics and Photography. He then spent the next 18 years in the educational system both private and public in various roles from Art Teacher, director of Technology, and finally a technology interaction specialist. He has since moved to the corporate education world where he teaches professionals about cybersecurity.
Michael discovered glass in undergraduate school and reignited his passion for the medium 6 years ago while working for Fort Worth ISD. This was when he discovered SiNaCa Studios and their impact they have on students and residents of Fort Worth. From that point on he has tried to help the studio in any way he can from volunteering, renting studio time, and participating in the board. He looks forward to many more years of being a part of the SiNaCa Studios.
Elise Huemoeller
Secretary
Elise Huemoeller is a Physician Liaison for Texas Health Hospital Mansfield. Has a passion for feeding into the community she lives and serves. Believes in SiNaCa’s programs that impact the person taking part both mentally and physically.
Elizabeth Spencer Berthiaume
Board Member
Elizabeth Spencer Berthiaume is a Privacy Staff Attorney at GM Financial, General Motor’s captive financial company. Elizabeth has a passion for art, non-profits, and community. Prior to law school, Elizabeth supported the events and fund raising efforts at a non-profit in Washington, D.C.
Ryan Fowler
Operations
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Clifton Crofford
Executive Director, Development Director, Glass Blowing Instructor
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Jean M. Fernandes
Kiln Studio Manager & Instructor, Visiting Artist Coordinator
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Kevin McGehee
Studios Coordinator, Glass blowing Instructor, Flame Working Instructor
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Tatara Siegel
Artistic Coordinator/ Youth Outreach Coordinator, Glass Blowing Instructor
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Heidi Childers
Administrative Director
Clifton Crofford
Executive Director, Development Director, Glass Blowing Instructor
Started: 2007
I am a partner, father, student, teacher, and glass maker. I am proud to be an important part of the incredible team at SiNaCa Studios and hope that our combined efforts will leave a lasting and important addition to the cultural landscape of Fort Worth, TX. I am a maker at my core, and ultimately love making a difference in the lives close to me and the community I love.
Jean M. Fernandes
Kiln Studio Manager & Instructor, Visiting Artist Coordinator
Started: 2015
I’m a full time artist and educator with an
undergraduate degree in the arts from San Jose State University, CA,
and a master’s degree in glass from the University of Texas at
Arlington. I’m the runt of the SiNaCa team (the shortest one) and I’m
also rebellious enough to include only two sentences here instead of
three.
Glass Vocabulary Word: Devitrification
Kevin McGehee
Studios Coordinator, Glass blowing Instructor, Flame Working Instructor
Started:2007
I stumbled in to glass blowing in 1998 needing a 3D art credit for a graphic design degree at UT Arlington. The glass blowing elective turned in to 14 semester journey finishing with a BFA in Glass Art. 20+ years after my 1st gather, I’m still excited by what glass can do and the opportunity to share it with others.
Glass Vocabulary Word: Murrine
Tatara Siegel
Artistic Coordinator/ Youth Outreach Coordinator, Glass Blowing Instructor
Started: 2105
I have a B. A. in Glass and Ceramics with a minor in Psychology from The University of Texas at Arlington. I have an M.F.A. in Glass from Rochester Institute of Technology, School for American Craft. My body of work consists of two separate approaches to making, one is designed- based and the other narrative- based. I love finding the balance in making both types of art.
Movement, M-o-v-e-m-e-n-t
Heidi Childers
Administrative Director
Started: 2010
I am a UTA alumna with two bachelor degrees with primary focuses in English, psychology and business management, over 20 years of service industry management experience and have volunteered at SiNaCa Studios from the beginning. I am the non-glass making, glass groupie that has taken on the challenge of keeping these creatives on track. I love that I get to find new ways every day to use my education, past experiences and imagination to help shape and grow this organization.
Glass Vocabulary Word: Marver, m-a-r, v-e-r
Instructors
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Blake Boles
Glass Blowing Instructor
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Nick Gomez
Flame Working Instructor
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Canaan Casteel
Glass Blowing Instructor
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Nolan Bishop
Glass Blowing Instructor
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Madeline Carlson
Glass Blowing Instructor
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Amy Stephens
Glass Blowing Instructor
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Lucas Gustafson
Intern
Blake Boles
Glass Blowing Instructor
Started: 2016
In 2017, I obtained my BFA in Glass from the University of Texas at Arlington. I am a former painter with a fascination in street art. Currently, I’m interested in sculpting and etching imagery into repurposed glass.
Glass Vocabulary Word: Compatibility
Nick Gomez
Flame Working Instructor
Started: 2014
I am a family man with 2 boys and a wife who is my best friend. I always enjoy spending time with my family and I am also very passionate about making glass and music and practice both daily. I’m grateful to be able to make glass and teach people about glass for a living as well as help support my family using my passion for art.
Glass Vocabulary Word: Punty
Canaan Casteel
Glass Blowing Instructor
Nolan Bishop
Glass Blowing Instructor
Started: 2020
My name is Nolan; I started working in glass in 2016 and have a BFA in sculpture from the University of Texas at Arlington. I enjoy making glass equipment just about as much as I enjoy making glass art. My art is about relationships in a broad sense, and one of my greatest honors is the continuation of immortal technique through teaching others.
Glass Vocabulary Word – Pontil, P-U-N-T-Y
Madeline Carlson
Glass Blowing Instructor
Started: 2020
I am a graphic designer that was brought to the dark side; aka the glass world. My first exposure to glass was in a beginning kiln class at UTA. I absolutely loved working with the material and switched my degree to glass and hoped I loved glassblowing as much as kiln forming and casting. (spoiler alert; I do!) Then in 2019 I graduated with MY BFA in Glass from the University of Texas at Arlington.
Amy Stephens
Glass Blowing Instructor
I received a BFA in metalsmithing as well as one in sculpture from UNT in 2012 and am currently a graduate student at UTA with 9 years of foundry experience. I enjoy working with the community and have created over a dozen public artworks in the DFW, primarily Arlington, TX my hometown. My work focuses on the connection between the consumer social shifts integrated in economics and the history of manufacturing/packaging in America. By concentrating on creating a no waste impact in my own practice I am bringing awareness to the influence we can have as individual consumers as well as the scale of waste being generated daily by corporate mass production at the expense of the environment and our own well-being.
Glass Vocabulary Word: Moil
Lucas Gustafson
Intern
Glass Vocabulary Word: Cracking off
Sponsors and Partnerships
