New Fall Faculty!

We are also happy to welcome two new faculty members to our Hollins magic: Heidi Stemple and Brian Counihan! Heidi Stemple is the author of 50 books for children, most of them picture books. She has been steeped in the children’s book industry, giving writing workshops at conferences, literary events, universities, and at the Highlights Foundation, for almost 20 years. She has worked as a book doctor, a mentor, and critiquer for countless picture book writers from the pre-career level to some of the best authors in the business. She is also a full-time author, actively working in the business, currently working on revisions for 2 picture books, a verse novel, and the first of a chapter book series. She also happens to be the daughter of Jane Yolen, New York Times best-selling author of over 400 books for children, 20 of which they wrote together.

Brian Counihan is a local artist whose work brings people together. He is an artist in-residence for the city of Roanoke leading community engagement projects, and is the organizer of the Daisy Art Parade. Brian earned an undergraduate degree in painting and printmaking in Ireland, a post graduate degree from Northwestern University and he has continued to learn ever since by taking on new and interesting projects. Brian has won Ireland’s national portrait competition, worked in New York as a decorative finish artist, painted backdrops in Chicago, taught studio classes at Lynchburg College and Randolph Women College and is founding faculty of Community High School in Roanoke. Now, when he is not teaching humanities or studio art, he builds giant puppets for parades. As an educator, Brian encourages students to follow their curiosity, and to seek the happy accidents that help us learn and grow.

Courses already underway this fall are:
• Writing Picture Books with Dr. Lisa Rowe Fraustino or Heidi Stemple (2 groups)
• Illustration Media with Brian Counihan
• Contemporary Picture Books with me, Dr. Elizabeth "e" Dulemba

Want to learn more about our graduate programs? CLICK HERE!
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