College of Architecture and Planning University of Colorado Denver

Elsie Wood is the coordinator and visionary of the project. Holding a Masters of Education in Creative Arts and Learning and with 25 years experience as a visual artist, she has produced, exhibited, lectured and written on art and participated in international sculpture symposia. She founded several art organizations and has facilitated creativity activities in assisted-living facilities and senior centers. She is Executive Director of the Society for Creative Aging. Email: ewood@colorado.edu

Judy Epstein was born in Paris, France, and moved to the U.S. during WWII. She moved to Boulder from Montrose, N.Y. in 2005 to be near her children and grandchildren. She received her B.A. from Wellesley College in 1950 and her Masters in Early Childhood Education in 1967. Her work ranged from teaching and directing in nursery school and day care, to educational coordinator for Headstart. She taught early childhood education courses (dealing with children from birth to six years old) as an adjunct professor in several New York State colleges and became a consultant and workshop leader for many programs in that field. She returned to painting after retirement and continues to take art courses in Boulder. Email: epifuss@comcast.net

Gretchen Carney graduated from Syracuse University School of Fine Arts in 1952 and held NY State teaching certification in both Art and Early Childhood Education. She taught in NY State for 30 years and moved to Colorado three years ago, now residing in a retirement community. She has been delighted to be connected to young folks once again.

Ann Fontenot obtained a degree in elementary education, which led to four years of teaching first and second grade as well as art in Houston, Texas. In her spare time, she learned to china paint, create stained glass, watercolor, basket weave, carve in stone, make jewelry, do batik, glass blow and sculpt, but pottery became her true interest. After moving to Boulder in 1970, Ann took classes from Betty Woodman at the City of Boulder Pottery Lab. While her two children were young, she taught Spanish, tutored at Bear Creek Elementary, and continued to learn pottery. She started a studio in her home and founded "Mountain Top Pottery." Wanting more contact with people after years of working solo, Ann served for almost 20 years as Activity Director at the Boulder Meridian Retirement Community. She enjoys having more time now for making pottery in her retirement.