Biography

 

Caroline had the opportunity in 2007 to teach painting classes while working as a Program Director at a local Family Center. Having taken some painting classes herself at 45 years old, she discovered the power of a good teacher and was completely inspired and excited to try her hand at it using the same “follow me” method that taught her to paint in two-hour workshops. Teaching classes for free at the Family Center was the perfect place to learn how to teach! She chose paintings from the Florida Highwaymen’s Collection to paint in class since they were originally quickly painted by the side of the road to sell to tourists in the 1950s; perfect for a 2- hour beginners’ workshop! In the never-ending adventure of learning how to be a better artist herself, Caroline bought the book; “So You Want to Be a Better Fine Artist?” Page 1 recommended learning how to draw. So Caroline enrolled in Drawing 1 at St. Petersburg College in Clearwater, FL.

A few years later, a friend introduced her to the Director of the Safety Harbor Museum after hearing that they were looking for an oil painting teacher. Ten years later Caroline still teaches beginner classes there although now with acrylic paint. There are other venues as well; the newest being Dunedin William E. Hale Senior Center.

Working in non-profit management leads to reaching out into the community often to other non-profits; all partnering in serving the community in one way or another. Paths cross and organizations support each other. Caroline was very active in the community serving n several boards: General Federated Woman’s Club of Clearwater, where for 16 years the group mainly raised scholarship funds for women at SPC. Caroline always donated art and free classes to be raffled off. And the ESOL Community Advisory Board of Pinellas County where she organized several Career Day festivals for ESOL High School Students. (Caroline’s grandparents on her father’s side were Hungarian immigrants and her mother is a French- Canadian immigrant). With the Pinellas County Farm Bureau she served as the Women’s Community Chairperson and helped establish two community gardens with grants from the Allegany Ministries. Caroline retired a little early due to COVID and now has much more time on her hands to paint and give painting classes! An important part of the retirement plan is to go on art retreats around the USA and maybe Europe, to study under some of the incredible living masters.

Caroline decided to establish her own non-profit (501c3) organization for art in 2009 so that she could seek out grants. The Family Center where she worked for 16 years served low income families and strictly funded families with minors in the house. For the most part the people showing up for her classes were stressed out working adults and seniors. Many had been through, or were going through, a variety of hardships and landed in her free classes for a peaceful, joyful diversion from life.  By 2011 the IRS approved here non-profit status and Incredible Me Institute Incorporated was in business! She was awarded several local grants to be used as scholarships mainly for senior living on social security checks and a her church, along with the Safety Harbor Museum, provided the room.

Her now 91 year old mother helped come up with the name Incredible Me Institute and what Caroline really like about it was that the initials say, “IMI” (I am I).

Caroline’s retirement goal, the big dream – is to have a gallery with a street front window where her students can hang and sell their art. The perfect scenario would be with a BIG workshop in the back for classes where several art teachers could participate; giving other art teachers a hub of fun to make art and friends!