Virginia LaMont Naegeli

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Virginia LaMont Naegeli

​My PHILOSOPHY

I believe everyone can learn to create ART
It is just like riding a bike!
Give it a try, practice a little
and then take off.

Pam and Peggy painting silk for the first time

​ My Passion is TEACHING

There is nothing more rewarding and satisfying than to see the “wow” on a learner's face once they have created something of their own. The rush of a shared excitement when dreaming up projects and designs together is so fun and exciting!​​​

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I have enjoyed art in its many forms my entire life. I attended MacMurray College in Illinois where I received a teaching degree in art (specializing in painting) and special education. I also received a Masters in Special Education from Marygrove College in Michigan.

FIRST LOVE, TEACHING: My first dream-come-true jobs involved teaching very special learners for several years in Chicago and Winchester, Illinois; and Lake Orion, Dearborn and Berkley, Michigan. One of my favorite posts was with the residents of Vista Maria, a Dearborn-based nonprofit facility that assists vulnerable youth and their families.

QUILTING HAD ME IN STITCHES: In 1992, my husband's job required us to move to Germany. There, I took several quilting classes and made many friendship quilts and baby quilts as well as taught others how to create them.

A MOM ALWAYS: We then moved back to Birmingham, Michigan, and I spent the next several years raising our children, but never stepping too far from the world of art. (My kids and I made a "rainy day box" with all sorts of craft items and created many art projects over the years!)

DIVING IN TO JEWELRY: In 2004, we were once again on the move when my husband's job required us to make Australia our new home. While there, I, of course, had to delve into art and so this time, jewelry was the medium of choice! I made silver necklaces for a popular local store. While there, I also continued to coach diving and earned certification from Australian Olympic coaches.

CHA-CHA CHANGING IN BRAZIL: We eventually moved back to Michigan. After working for a brief posting as a Learning-Disabled/Emotional Impaired/Autism teacher, my husband was transferred to Brazil.

And there, on the beautiful continent of South America, I fell in love with painting on silk. I took as many classes and learned about as many techniques as I could during the four years that we lived there.

COME AND LEARN!: Now back in Birmingham, Michigan, I create and teach art in a spacious, beautiful studio that my husband made on our property. (My daughter calls the studio our "rainy day room.") It is a place where I continue to fulfill my dream of creating, teaching and inspiring others.

When not creating or teaching art, I enjoy my family (our three children are in college in Michigan), playing with my lovable cats and am also coaching a girls’ and boys' diving team for a high school in Birmingham.

Please give me a call at 248-918-1376 and let's play with ART!

​My class subjects are always changing; I teach everything from painting on silk to create scarves to decorative arts. Individual classes and group classes are available Mon, Tues. Wed., and Fri., 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. We can also arrange evening times to suit your schedule.


More information: artyourself.net

About Me 😄

I am interested in hearing from you. Let me know what type of class you would be interested in taking. My favorite is teaching silk painting techniques by way of painting with silk dyes on a 100% silk scarf. I do love to play with all art types. Please check out "Together We Can" and choose the project that is right for you and together we can make your project perfect.

Houses of Operation
M T W TH F S 10:00-3:30
T W Th F. 6:30-??
Call to set up individual classes/time
​248-918-1376