Daphne Okcuoglu is a fine arts educator and fine art and portrait photographer who resides in the borough of West Chester with her husband and two daughters. Mrs. Okcuoglu is a BFA graduate of Tyler School of Art, and has a Masters Degree in Photography and Art Education from New York University/ International Center of Photography. Mrs. Okcuoglu has been teaching high school art and photography for over thirty years, as well as camp and adult programs. Mrs. Okcuoglu has developed photography curriculum and designed new classrooms in the private, public and charter school “brick & mortar” and “online” environment, including instituting, designing, and formatting four AP courses in the fine arts department. She is the chairperson of the fine arts department at PALCS / CPFA. Daphne instituted the CPFA yearbook as the supervisor for 10 years, as well as instituting the first art honor society at PALCS, the National Arts Honor Society, of which she has supervised for 15 years.

Mrs. Okcuoglu’s fine artworks are photographic images; often digitally altered, painted, and collaged. Her work has been in gallery exhibitions throughout NJ, NY and PA. Recent works include a wide variety of fine art and commercial photography techniques and can be viewed on her website> www.daphneokcuoglu-okcuoglu.com Mrs. Okcuoglu’s large-scale works are computer altered photographs concerning the human body and our connection to nature. Her still-life photographs echo the work of Dutch Master 17th century paintings. In recent years her work was chosen to be in the Perkins Center for the Arts in NJ, and The State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg, and Project Basho in Philadelphia, The Chester County Art Association and the Gryphon Cafe.

Joseph Fuiman is a Philadelphia-based artist who has taught Drawing, Painting, and Illustration, AP Studio Art, Sculpture, and Ceramics at CPFA since 2013. Prior to joining PALCS/CPFA, Mr. Fuiman taught at Russell Buyers Charter School, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Chester County Art Association, and the University of the Arts. He has also worked with numerous city art programs, where he helped enrich and expand their curricula through hands-on, student-centered instruction.

Mr. Fuiman’s classes emphasize strong foundational skills, creative problem-solving, and personal expression. Students develop technical proficiency in drawing, painting, and three-dimensional media while learning to observe closely, think critically, and communicate ideas visually. Coursework encourages experimentation, thoughtful risk-taking, and an understanding of both contemporary and historical art practices. The goal of his program is to help students build confidence in their artistic voice, assemble a meaningful portfolio, and develop skills that support lifelong creative thinking, whether they pursue art professionally or as a personal passion.

Joseph Fuiman’s artwork has been exhibited in many galleries, schools, restaurants, and other venues throughout the Philadelphia area. A Philadelphia native, he currently resides in the Italian Market neighborhood. Recently, he traveled cross-country to California with fellow fine arts colleagues. Inspired by this journey, he produced a body of artwork reflecting his experiences, culminating in a solo exhibition. Mr. Fuiman continues to create artwork that draws inspiration from the American landscape, using it as both subject and palette.

Mrs. Kimberly Ricciardi has been a teacher with PALCS since 2014, and teaches both CPFA and PALCS courses. She is dual certified in both art and family consumer sciences, and teaches sculpture and ceramics courses as well as child development and food science online. She began her studies at Drexel university for interior design, and transferred to Rosemont for art education, and she later earned a masters at the American College of Education. Her passion for art sparked in grade school, where she eagerly entered numerous contests and proudly won the fifth-grade art award. She channeled her creativity into Victorian-revival-style crafts, setting up charming driveway sales to share them with neighbors. Enchanted by Calico Critters, bunny rabbits, and all things whimsical—from gnomes to fairies—she spent her childhood exploring nature and cultivating a deep respect for every creature, big and small, seen and unseen. In high school, sewing and interior design classes ignited her love for color, pattern, and textiles, deepening her lifelong romance with design. Dubbed metal girl, in college she worked with deconstructed car parts to create large scale abstract sculptures that were inspired by sculptor John Chamberlain. This creative spirit continues in the classes she teaches today, where students explore metal and woodworking, nature-inspired themes, nontraditional fashion design, and costume creation. They occasionally even craft whimsical felt animal dolls, while ceramics students delight in building enchanting fairy houses.

Fun facts- Her grade school music teacher showed her class a clip from the Sound of Music, and her grandmother later showed her the entire movie and she instantly fell in love with music and singing. Her great grandfather played the flute and piccolo in the John Philip Sousa band. Her grandfather played trumpet in the Philadelphia Eagles Sound of Brass, later becoming the Eagles helmet cart driver during touchdowns at the games which she was able to ride in as a kid. Her great uncle was an artist at the Chicago world’s fair, and she shares the same birthday as Michelangelo. Her love of learning propelled her to win 6 different end of year awards in 6th grade, and later in 8th grade she played Pepper in Annie the musical. In high school she was a member of the prestigious, select encores singers’ group at Upper Darby High School, singing many solos. She graduated Summa Cum Laude at Rosemont, and for a year was the female singer in her uncle’s band the Relays. She loves landscape design and creating beautiful cottage style gardens. She has an amazing husband who works at Kutztown University and 2 lovely young girls. She is very big on spreading love, happiness, and positivity. It is also very important to note that she loves Hello Kitty and her favorite color is pink.

“Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them.” – Marcus Aurelius