(formerly The Bridgeport Art League of Huntington, CT)
Teachers' Biographies
Sue Zelanakas
Enjoys and takes much pleasure in painting, especially decorative acrylic painting and watercolor. likes to teach the many techniques and skills needed to be able to create a decorative painted piece. Also has experience in early American decoration such as theorem painting and freehand bronzing. Likes to paint on glass and on old or used items such as light bulbs, bottles and jars, and wood fan blades. Has been painting and teaching for many years and sells decorative painted items and watercolors at craft shows and art shows. Has won many awards.
Into painting and related artistic and crafted subjects all through life. Studied art and teaching at Southern Connecticut State College and under many professional artists and instructors teaching various mediums. Taught many classes and workshops other than decorative painting, such as beading, tassel making, frame making using decorative papers, painting on glass, constructing and painting gourd birdhouses and many other projects.
Diane Podrat
Diane Podrat is a graduate of Rhode Island School of Design and has painted professionally since 1969.
Her art is in the collections of the American Red Cross, Heart Association, West Haven Historical Society, Milford Public Library and many private collections.
Since retiring from teaching on Branford, she now paints in watercolor and teaches for the Shelton Art League.
Podrat is an elected member of the Connecticut Watercolor Society, Guilford Art League, New Haven Paint & Clay Club, Clinton Art Society.
She has received awards from Clinton Art Society, Stratford, Waterbury & Stony Creek Art Festivals, Milford & Hamden Art Leagues and Connecticut Watercolor Society.
The artist studied with Charles Reid, Lou Bonamarte, John Massamino, Judi Betts, Ruth Baderian and Leo Stoutsenburger.
Diane Podrat lives and paints in Milford. Her art is displayed at the Gilded Lily Art Gallery, 101 River St. in Milford.
Diane Napolitano
Diane has been painting for over 30 years. She is mostly self-taught; however, she has studied with many well-known artists, including Frank Covino, Charles Solvek, Charles Reid, Leah Lopez and George Sutherland.
She has won numerous awards among which are from the Bridgeport Art League Show.
Her work is owned by individual collectors as well as corporations throughout New York, New Jersey and New England. Under contract with Spire Awards in N.Y. from 2004-2007 she was commissioned to paint oil portraits of corporate headquarters for companys such as Canon – as well as a number of car dealerships – among them, Callari Automotive of Darien CT.
She teaches oil painting and drawing at Shelton Art League – and private lessons in her home.
Her custom portraits in pencil and oil are in high demand and are available through her Facebook page – Search: Paintings by Diane Napolitano
She has been president of Connecticut Classics Arts and has been featured in Trumbull Life section of the Connecticut Post as owner of the new concept of showing and selling art through home art shows in 1991-1994.
She has exhibited at art galleries and various libraries.
Art Classes
The Shelton Art League
Classes take place at the Shelton Community Center.
Classes take place on 8 consecutive Wednesdays at the Shelton Community Center.
Art Class sessions each generally 8 weeks in length are held in the Fall and Spring. Membership is required to enroll for classes.
Spring Classes March 26 2025 - May 14 2025
Decorative Painting 9:30 am - 11:30 am
Drawing 11:45 pm - 1:45 pm
Watercolor Painting 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm (Only 6 weeks)**
** 4/2, 4/9, 4/16, 4/30, 5/7, 5/14
Fall 2025 Classes TBD