Arts Academy of Hollywood

Kyle Harris-Butler - Art Department Director

Kyle Harris, Director of Communications and Visual Arts Department, joined the Arts Academy family in 2004. She majored in Art during her college years and held a career in television production spanning over 20 years working in sports, news, entertainment and politics in New England. In Massachusetts she was a community activist for children’s services, cultural and arts organizations and the rights of abused women and children. Kyle has been recognized nationally for her commitment to her community and her career. At the Arts Academy, she keeps the lines of communications open between our customers and staff while overseeing the visual arts department.

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Barbara Benezra - Arts & Crafts

Barbara Benezra, professional artist, combines a variety of techniques and mediums to produce a multi-faceted collection of work. She works primarily with welded steel to create unique one-of-a-kind sculptures for indoor and outdoor use. Paintings with oils and acrylics, collage and mixed media also engage her creative spirit. Her style is distinctive for its energy, use of color and novel integration of forms. Barbara’s works have been exhibited in juried shows and galleries throughout the United States and Portugal. Her art enhances private as well as corporate collections. She lives in Hollywood, Florida and teachers her love of art to students of all ages.

Joy Levy - Sewing Techniques, Costume Design

Joy Levy is an educator in the S. Florida school system and an avid seamstress for several years. She especially loves to sew things that she cannot find in stores or on the Internet. For example, Renaissance garb fit for a princess and beautifully designed unique pillows. Joy approaches fabric as an art medium and sewing as a craft-as-art. During her career as a teacher, Joy has enlightened students of all ages on a wide range of subjects including art, renaissance dance, sewing and math. As a longstanding member of the Arts Academy of Hollywood, Joy is thrilled to be sharing her knowledge and skills as a sewing teacher.

Renee Livolsi - Drawing & Painting

Renee is presently teaching art at St. Bernadette Catholic school. She works with children in grades pre-k through 8th. Renee founded “The Evening of the Arts” in 1994. This art show features the work of the students at St. Bernadette. In 1999 Renee joined the staff of Broward Community College teaching painting and arts & crafts to students who attended the “Summer College Arts Program”. During the years of 1996 -1998 Renee taught art at St. Thomas High School presenting a summer painting class. As early as 1987 - 1994 Renee started an art program at the First United Methodist Church in Downtown Hollywood. Renee also had her own business “Crafty Ideas” selling a wide variety of uniquely created crafts and gifts. Crafty ideas presented art shows throughout the community.

Anita Macbeth - African Art

Anita Macbeth has been teaching art for several years. She is a native of New York, where she studied the arts, mainly ballet, modern, jazz and African dance. Ms. Macbeth currently teaches in the Broward County, Florida school system at Bethune Elementary School of Visual and Performing Arts. Her style and cultural based elements are well renown in the Florida Area. Anita has a simple mastery of conveying technique to beginners and advanced alike.

Maureen Hunt Piccirillo - Adult Painting

Maureen holds a Bachelor of Arts from the State University College of New York at Buffalo and a graduate credit in Art from the Centre Universitaire d’Avignon (under the auspices of the Universite ‘d Aix at Marseilles) in France. She has been a painting instructor in the Broward School System since 1985 and is a freelance artist including magazine work and private commissions. She has had numerous juried exhibitions throughout Florida, Virginia, California, New York and other parts of the country since the mid-80’s and has received numerous honors including a piece in the permanent collection at the Universitaire d’Avignon in France.