Visual Arts Faculty

Howard W Blake High School of the Arts Visual Arts Faculty

Linda Galgani - Photography

Linda Galgani is a practicing artist and a founding member of the artist-faculty at Blake High School of the Arts. She teaches black and white photography, color photography, digital imaging and portfolio at Blake, as well as Photography at Hillsborough Community College’s Ybor Campus. Ms. Galgani previously lived in Boston, Massachusetts where she taught photography at Wellesley High School and Dean College. She completed a Master’s Degree in Education at Emmanuel College in Boston and earned her Master of Fine Arts at the University of South Florida. While at USF, she was awarded the Adah Schaich Endowed Scholarship in Photography

Her undergraduate degree is in Geography from Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts where she graduated Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa. While pursuing her degree, she studied abroad. She has taught photography in County Mayo, Ireland as well as in Boston, MA; Tampa, FL and Ithaca, NY. She has exhibited her photographs throughout the country and sold her work to major corporations such as Pitney Bowes. Her images have appeared in a variety of publications, including the Photo Review. She was selected for Who’s Who Among American Teachers for the past ten consecutive years. She received an Award of Recognition from the National Foundation for Advancement In The Arts as well as Arts for a Complete Education.

Molly Dressel - Drawing, Painting, Printmaking

Ms. Molly Dressel joined the artist-faculty at Blake School of the Arts in 1999. She currently teaches Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Portfolio and AP Art History. In 2001, she created the printmaking program at Blake with help from Master Printmaker, Erika Greenberg-Schneider. The print studio has a lithography press and two intaglio presses. Her students have won numerous awards including two winners of the 11th Congressional District High School Art Exhibition and their artwork was displayed in Washington D.C. Ms. Dressel graduated from the University of Montana in 1998 with a Bachelors of Fine Arts Degree concentrating in Drawing and Painting. She received her K-12 Teaching Certification from the University of Toledo in 1999. Ms. Dressel usually works in oil paint and etchings and finds inspiration from Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico

Lonni Hopkins - Jewelry, Stained Glass

Lonni Hopkins is a professional artist and member of the Visual Art faculty at Blake High School of the Arts. Ms. Hopkins holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of South Florida and completed her graduate work there as well. She holds a Masters Degree in Art Education and has been an artist and teacher for more than 24 years. She has taught all levels from kindergarten through adult art education.

With college training in Lithography, Photography and Sculpture, Lonni was also a nationally exhibiting quilter. She began working in metals in 1996. She has studied with master teachers such as Tom McCarthy, John Cogswell and Juan Carlos Caballero. The main body of her work is primarily silver using various techniques of construction and fabrication; stones are added as a source of contrast and emphasis. Much like a sculptor, the theme of her work is developed around the use of texture, positive and negative space.

Ms. Hopkins recent professional exhibits include the ACCSE 2007, The Arts Center Manatee in a metals exhibition honoring Phil London, founder of the Florida Society of Goldsmiths 2008, Craft Art 2008 and Art Fest Beth El 2009. She has been a Board Member of Florida Craftsman for six years, and is an active member of the American Craft Council, Florida Society of Goldsmiths, Society of North American Goldsmiths, Florida Art Education Association, and the National Art Education Association.

Lenny Cabanero-Harvey - Visual Arts

Lenny Cabanero-Harvey has been a member of the Blake visual arts faculty since 2009. She is a graduate of Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, with a BA in Art Education. Lenny also has a minor in Ceramics under the instruction of Kirk Mangus and Eva Kwong. Her career in art education includes teaching art at the elementary, middle and high school levels, as well as classes in ceramics, dance, calligraphy, painting and drawing for adults to preschoolers. As an artist, Lenny has been commissioned to create and design murals for various homes and restaurants and before graduating from college Lenny was also hired as a forensic artist for a trial in Portage County,Ohio. Before coming to Blake High School Lenny also participated in juried exhibitions and festivals in the indie art and craft community selling handmade plushies, creepy dolls and hair accessories.

Lenny is a member of the National Council of the Education of Ceramic arts, the Hillsborough Art education Association and Florida Craftsman. She is also a former presenter and member of the Ohio art education association and a former and current presenter/member for the National Art Education Association.