Staff

Valerie Damon - Instructor of Painting, Sculpture, Indigenous arts and Drawing

“I create to inspire, to express, to laugh and initiate social change.”

Valerie Hubbard Damon graduated from Florida State College in 1967 with a BFA and a teaching degree in art. Valerie was a freelance card designer prior to founding Star Publications in 1975 which promoted and created high quality children’s books, teacher’s guides and related products while raising three children.

She has written and published award winning children’s books such as Grindle Lamfoon and the Procurnious Fleekers, Willo Manicfoot and the Mugga Killa Whomps and Tea with Adella Dine Crow.

Along with writing children’s books Valerie works with all things art searching new ways of incorporating social consciousness, culture, diversity and varied mediums into her projects. She incorporated three dimensional sculpture, pottery, metal, doll making, painting and drawing in her work with both children and adults. Valerie teaches at Eureka Springs School of the Arts, Main Stage and volunteers workshops to Eureka and Berryville schools.

Melanie Linker-Pierce - Instructor of Dance

“We can all dance, it just takes some confidence, creativity and fun to get it going!"

Melanie, recently relocated from Portland, Oregon to our lovely Eureka Springs. She began dancing at the age of 6 with studies in hip hop, cheerleading, dance team, and jazz.  Melanie has been trained in classical ballet and Graham/Limon/Horton based Modern Technique. She is additionally adept at teaching and performing musical theatre, African Dance and Tap. Melanie has performed in various Musical Plays and has recently directed and produced two Broadway "mini" musicals for her Broadway Jazz/Musical Theatre classes at Sherwood Dance Academy in Portland, Oregon.

 Melanie has been teaching dance for several years in various parts of the country but for more than 5 years she has taught at some of the top studios in Portland, Oregon.  While in Oregon Melanie was a member of the Portland based Modern Dance Company, Agnieszka Lsaka Dancers, who performed many different tours throughout Oregon, Washington, and Baja, Mexico.
 
She believes that dance is such an emotional and creative outlet for children and adults to express themselves. When she is not teaching or dancing Melanie enjoys yoga, photography, playing guitar and drums, hiking and the outdoors, gardening and cats!

Pugsley Addams Powell - Main Stage Mascot

Pugsley Addams Powell  is the wonder pig.  He was recently made the honorary CEO of E-Motion Works, Inc. He is a valued member of the Powell Family and loves to snuggle in cold weather. 

He is often referred to as a walking stomach.  His feed is a sow pellet with dairy and he eats 3 to 4 times a day, of course he will eat just about anything you put in front of  him except onions and peppers.  During Eureka parades he walks for peanuts.