Jo Ellen Reinhardt – Co-Founder & Instructor

Jo Ellen Reinhardt, a classically trained artist, has a unique gift of capturing the beauty in a portrait, still life, or landscape painting. Jo Ellen received her classical training at the former New School of Classical Art in Rhode Island, studied Scientific and Technical Illustration at Rhode Island School of Design, and earned a BA in art from Westfield State University. She is a signature member of the renowned Copley Society of Art including their portrait registry, historic Rockport Art Association & Museum, North Shore Art Association, Pennsylvania Watercolor Society, and Academic Artists Association. Current works may also be found at Gallery Antonia in Chatham, Massachusetts. Her artwork has received numerous awards and accolades. Moved by her passion for preserving the techniques and methods of realistic art, in 2014 she co-founded the New England School of Fine Art, located in historic downtown Worcester, Massachusetts. In addition to teaching at NESFA, JoEllen’s experiences have included over a decade of working with students as a professor of art at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, the Worcester Art Museum, jurying various art shows, lecturing at local art associations, and teaching landscape painting abroad in Italy.

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Cate Hunter Kashem – Instructor

Cate’s oil paintings are influenced by the Boston School tradition and Impressionism. During her high school and college years, she studied with her father, still-life painter Robert Douglas Hunter, and with Robert J. Cormier. From 2007-2008, Cate studied at The New School of Classical Art with Dana Levin. From 2007-2011, she deepened her study with workshops and criticism from Sam Vokey, David Curtis, Joseph McGurl, Stapleton Kearns and Don Demers. Cate is a member of the Cambridge Art Association and the Cape Cod Art Association, where she was the 2009 artist-in-resident. Her work has been exhibited nationally. In 2010, she received the "Outstanding Work" award at the Marblehead Festival of the Arts. She works primarily en pleine air or from life.

Ellen Gould – Instructor

Ellen Gould is a multimedia artist with over four decades of creative experience spanning fiber arts, papier-mâché, monoprints, and oil painting. Her current artistic focus centers on still life and Plein Air works, capturing the essence of everyday beauty with a refined and expressive style. Ellen has taken courses at several esteemed institutions, including the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), the Worcester Art Museum (WAM), the New England School of Fine Arts, and the Hopkinton Center for the Arts (HCA). These diverse educational experiences have shaped her multidisciplinary approach and deepened her technical proficiency across mediums. With a passion for both creating and teaching, Ellen finds joy in sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm for the arts. She aims to inspire creativity in others and believes that artistic expression is a lifelong journey of discovery and connection.

Jennifer Behymer – Instructor

Jennifer has a B.E.S. in Educational and Counseling Psychology and has enjoyed teaching art to both children, teens and adults in both school and gallery settings for over 15 years. Before moving to New England in the fall of 2015, Jennifer taught K-12 art in Independence, MO, a suburb of Kansas City. Over the years, Jennifer has worked in a variety of art related positions including as a muralist, scenic painter and set designer for live theater and art gallery director. She was also the co-founder of Summit Art, a not-for-profit art organization with over 100 artist members where she served in various roles including president, vice president and board member.

In the fall of 2016 Jennifer began classical art training at New England School of Fine Art taking classes in Bargue drawing, painting and portraiture with instructor, Jo Ellen Reinhardt. She also mentored for a year with ARC Living Master, Tina Garrett. Jennifer began exhibiting her work in both regional and national juried art competitions in 2020 and has received numerous awards. In 2022 she received the J. Banigan Sullivan Award for Artistic Excellence in the Providence Art Club’s National Juried Exhibition. Jennifer earned her membership in the Academic Artists Association in 2022 and is also a member of the Portrait Society of America.