St. Lucie Cultural Alliance (SLCA) is committed to providing high quality educational experiences for the benefit of students, schools and communities.
SLCA education initiatives are delivered by a team of professional local arts instructors, also known as teaching artists. These instructors are qualified to serve as artists in residence, present workshops and provide professional development. Members of this roster have experience working with school age youth, as well integrating Florida’s academic standards into any instruction they offer.
If your school or organization is interested in hosting an arts education program in partnership with SLCA, please read the information about each available artist to find the best fit for your school or organization.
SLCA is happy to discuss the opportunity to serve and we invite you to reach out via email to info@artstlucie.org.
Anita Prentice
Mosaic
Award-winning artist Anita Prentice works in a variety of art mediums, though she is best known for her painted mosaics. Her creations encompass real life subjects, abstracts, to the plain fun and funky.
Anita has created numerous public monumental works including a tribute to the Highwaymen on Ft. Pierce’s Intermodal Train Station, grave markers for several Highwaymen artists, the butterfly mosaic at Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens and the 150+ benches at the South Hutchinson Jetty and throughout St. Lucie County. She also has ample experience providing art lessons to individuals or small groups, including children and adults at her studio in Ft. Pierce.
Prentice has served on the St. Lucie County Cultural Affairs Council, St. Lucie Horticultural Board and Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens Council. She was a founding member of Ft. Pierce’s Art Mundo.
Debi Crouse
Digital Art / Mixed Media
World renowned artist Debi Crouse has a passion for Digital & Mixed Media Art. Her work has been exhibited among others in Lake City’s Artfields in North Carolina, Grid Art Fair International Show, in London and SCOPE in Miami. Recently was selected as Featured Digital Artist for the Chashama Gala 2018 in Times Square, New York.
She works as Designer for VIDA, a zero waste collaboration between Designers & Makers around the world that brings unique accessories and apparel.
Jamilia Anderson
Hip Hop / Dance
Jamilia Anderson began her performing career at The Edwin Holland School of Dance in Miami, FL. Attending Long Island University, Jamilia graduated Salutatorian of her 2004 class, receiving her B.F.A. in dance studies.
From the beginning of her professional career, Jamilia has been a stand out performer appearing in videos of artists Joan Jett, Elephant Man and Shakira. Her most memorable performances were for Shakira at the 2009 AMA’s, South Florida’s 2009 Jingle Ball and ”So You Think You Can Dance.” Jamilia has toured and performed on US and UK stages with DecaDance Theatre, an all-female Hip-Hop company. She was also a part of the female ensemble on the Broadway workshop for “Superfly” with Director Bill T. Jones and recently recorded her own music for her E.P. entitled “The Beginning”.
Jamilia has provided dance instruction for more than ten years in New York and Florida. She currently teaches Hip Hop Dance to children and youth at Mrs. P’s Dance & Acrobatic Studios in Port St. Lucie.
Rita Polizzi (Swig of Color)
Mixed Media / Painting / Illustration
Rita is an artist and educator with a background in fine arts and design. After graduating from the Art Institute in Fort Lauderdale with an AA in Advertising Design, she moved to Upstate New York where she raised two daughters and a son. The passion for creating has led her across an impressive art career, and she has worked in illustration, jewelry design, graphic design, hand-painted decor, and more. She has also worked as a freelance designer, and her textile work has been featured at leading retail brands and across the international market.
She is most inspired by the natural world around her, and she often takes photographs that inspire her original designs for her company Swig of Color, where she serves as lead instructor and design coordinator, Rita enjoys helping students find the confidence and freedom to harness their inner abilities.
Susan Garman (Swig of Color)
Mixed Media / Painting / Illustration
Susan is a self-taught mixed media artist, bringing a wealth of experience in educational programming, marketing and administration to her role at Swig of Color. After graduating from St. Petersburg College with an AA in Human Services, Susan continued her studies at USF and later Indian River State College.
Susan’s diverse business experience is balanced with an abiding appreciation for the arts. Before co-founding Swig of Color with Rita Polizzi, she served as Education Director at Fort Pierce’s non-profit arts organization, Art Mundo. She has experience managing her own art gallery and her work has been featured at notable galleries across the Treasure Coast. For Susan, Swig of Color is much more than an art education business. She is passionate about creating spaces where guests can relax, socialize and create to discover a greater quality of life.