Debra Durrant
Founder
Debra is an American who has lived in Spain for 28 years. She has worked as an independent artist, producing her own work, painting murals, and creating commissioned artwork. As a qualified teacher, Debra has over 30 years of experience. Her teaching experience includes art in primary and secondary schools in the U.S. and Spain, using International Baccalaureate, Cambridge, and AP curricula.
Debra also had her own art school in Seville, where she offered art classes and workshops for children and adults. Now living in Puerto Santa María, she has also been teaching classes and workshops at the Rota Naval Base. At Open Arts Factory, Debra is determined to continue sharing her love and support for art and artists and helping others develop their creative and artistic potential.
Debra currently teaches Mixed Media Art, Ceramics and Pottery, and Art Portfolio Development.
Dennis Ruiz
Co- Founder
Dennis Ruiz is originally from the southeastern United States and now lives in southern Spain, where he creates mixed media art. His deep connection to the ocean began when he started surfing at age 10 and later joined the U.S. Navy at 17. The sea has remained a major source of inspiration throughout his life. Pen and ink illustration has been his primary artistic expression, though he uses any medium available to capture the imagery and feeling of the ocean. His work will be showcased at The Open Arts Factory, which will also highlight his passion for both art and community.
Dennis is our resident artist and supporter.
Our team of artists
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Watercolors, Acrylics, Kids Arts & Crafts
Mari Carmen Carrillo is a Venezuelan artist who has been teaching art and illustration classes for adults and children for years.
Since 1996, she has participated in numerous group and solo exhibitions at museums, galleries, biennials, salons, and fairs in various cities around the world: Puerto Rico, Mexico, Caracas, New York, Miami, and Madrid, among others.
She explores the question of womanhood and femininity as a central theme of fairy tale narratives and as a subject of her paintings, installations, assemblages, and collages. She currently teaches and develops art workshops focused on the development of skills, abilities, and visual culture.
Her interest in children's stories has led her to develop the art of illustration, working with @rosanafaríaarapé as art director on several joint projects, including: Images that narrate, The trilogy of the adventures of Elisa and Sofía, The Pitapin dolls, DibuJAM, among others.
Mari Carmen wants to show her full potential in Open Arts, raise awareness about art, share knowledge with like-minded people, and learn from her peers and students.
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Acting - Improv & Scene Study
As a working actor in Hollywood I have always felt compelled to pass on the wisdom I gained inside the industry and within the art form.
I graduated from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) in Hollywood, CA with a Bachelors of Fine Arts (BFA) in Acting for Musical Theater and Film. I continued my training at the Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) for improv and took scene study classes from top studios in Los Angeles.
I began my teaching career soon after college at The Young Actors Studio by teaching young children improvisation basics. Soon after I expanded my teaching by offering scene study and advanced improv workshops at various schools and theater companies throughout Los Angeles.
With a passion for theater I was accepted as a member in the acting company at Theatre of NOTE and at Echo Theater Company. There I learned to cast, produce, and direct new and original plays. I developed a talent for script development and earned an internship at Citizen Skull Productions. During my tenure in Los Angeles I also starred in various commercials and independent films but my heart always belonged to the stage and to forming the next generation of actors.
Learn more about my classes at www.nadiamarina.com
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Jewelry Making & Enameling on Metal
Born in Buenos Aires, she learned jewelry making at the School of Fine Arts in Taxco, Mexico. After working in workshops in Miami and the US, she specialized in fire enamel on metal at the School of Art in Seville.
She currently teaches jewelry courses and participates in craft markets.
Original designs. Born from the imagination, inspired by nature, magical geometry, and traditional symbols from different cultures. She experiments with combining metal with other materials such as glass (fire-enameled) and semi-precious stones.
The metals used are copper, silver, and nickel silver. She works in a traditional way, shaping and texturing with traditional tools such as saws, hammers, and chisels.
Fire enamel is an ancient art that consists of melting colored glass onto metal at high temperatures (900º). This creates unique reflections and color effects unlike any other material.
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StitchMachine Kids & Beginners
Lucy Lilley is a British community artist and has been teaching art based workshops to kids for years in art venues and schools across the UK.
With a Bachelors in Fashion and Textiles from UWE, Bristol and years of Community Arts experience under her belt Lucy Lilley has joined us to hold StitchMachine courses for beginners of all ages and monthly art workshops with kids with fellow gallery artists. She is also a cohost to a Sewing Meetup for Sewing enthusiasts called Stitch Café Cádiz which was a natural progression from her work here. She has 24+ years of experience with teaching art and crafts to children ages 3+ in galleries, museums and Art centers in the UK and locally here in El Puerto. As an ESL (English as a second language) professional Lucy combines English language learning with a range of creative activities including our monthly Saturday Themed Art workshops such as Art and Pizza, Carnival Party and Snack etc
Lucy loves to make her students feel welcome, at ease and holds space for them to explore their creativity fully. Expect laughs and silliness. She can't help it x
Her other creative practices include illustrating the covers of Rainbow Journals (personal diaries and journals for mindfulness) for Silver Lining Productions (Indie Journal company) The Journal ranges are currently sold on Amazon and most recently have been commissioned by a rising British artist to create sewn pieces for their future shows. She also enjoys Art Journaling, creatively mending clothes, creative writing and publishes her short stories and illustrations on her website www.artsewwrite.com
Want to join her STITCH MACHINE monthly workshops?
Contact her directly at +34 681 061 057
Insta: Stitchmachinecadiz
Insta: Stitchcafecadiz
Facebook: Stitchmachine/stitchafecadiz
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Palette Knife Painting
I am Italian primary school teacher and a few years ago I settled in El Puerto de Santa Maria, a place that conveys peace and conviviality to me.
I entered the world of painting as a child, and throughout my life I have continued to learn this art form that captures emotions and is, as I experience with my students every time, deeply therapeutic.
That's why I also love teaching! Sharing emotions and releasing positive energy.
A lover of watercolors, I discovered the technique of using a palette knife with acrylics, which I am passionate about because of its three-dimensional effects and versatility.
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Weaving, Sewing
I am a Venezuelan weaver currently residing in El Puerto de Santa María, Cádiz. I studied administration but found my true calling in the art of traditional weaving.
For more than 20 years, I have been passionately dedicated to craftsmanship, inspired by the cultural heritage of Margariteño weaving from my country. I make hats, backpacks, wallets, bags, baskets, and accessories using natural fibers, textiles, plastics, and recycled materials. My work is a fusion of tradition and innovation: I seek to preserve the knowledge of our ancestors while incorporating techniques, materials, and textures, always with a conscious and sustainable approach.
I have participated in fairs, workshops, and vacation camps, sharing my experience and promoting the value of craftsmanship as a tool for identity, empowerment, and respect for the environment.
My purpose is clear: to honor our roots through handmade creations that connect with the soul and the earth.
WEAVING IS HONORING THE PAST AND REINVENTING THE PRESENT.
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I am Katerine Soto, creator of Kairos.dots, an artistic and educational project that explores pointillism as a technique, visual language, and creative experience. Venezuelan and currently residing in Jerez de la Frontera, I develop workshops for adults and children where the art of dot painting is expanded onto different surfaces such as ceramics, glass, wood, and textiles, with a special focus on the creation of mandalas and patterns inspired by geometry and color.
My professional career includes years of experience leading teams in the field of human resources, with training in human resources and law, a path that allowed me to gain a deep understanding of human processes, creativity, and learning. Over time, my path shifted toward an integration of art, presence, and personal expression. I trained as a coach, practitioner in NLP and mindfulness, and in 2022 I found in pointillism a practice that combines technique, patience, and beauty in everyday life.
Today, through Kairos.dots, I offer accessible and meaningful spaces for creation, where each piece is constructed point by point, inviting you to discover art as an encounter with the process, with the community, and with the present moment.
Instagram: @kairos.dots
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