Our Staff
Over the years, The Bay School and Art Speaks Gallery have grown and thrived in the Mathews community, and our staff is fortunate to receive the support of the many volunteers, teachers, artists, and community members as we work to continue building an educational and creative resource for all to enjoy.
Our dedicated staff welcome you to stop by for a gallery visit, enroll in one of our many classes, or attend an event. We look forward to meeting you!
After 12+ years at The Bay School, our Executive Director, Pam Doss, is moving on. She is staying in the area, focusing on family and spending time creating art of her own. She is still passionate about The Bay School's mission and will continue to support and participate in our programs.
The Bay School board is working hard to find the best person to fill the position of Executive Director. Stay tuned for news of the new hire and the chance to welcome them to the Bay School family.
Seeking Executive Director
Grace Small
Operations Manager
gracesmall@bayschool-arts.com
Grace earned her BS in Business Management from Christopher Newport University in 1990 and proceeded to work in management positions for a variety of industries, including food services, mail order, and real estate law. In 2006, a close friend and previous director of The Bay School convinced Grace to quit her job and come work for our organization. She’s never regretted that decision, saying, “I like being around creative people. They are here because they want to be and that makes them happy, which makes The Bay School a great place to work.”
Grace and her husband Pete live in Dutton, Virginia with two cats. She enjoys the “Rivah” life and loves to relax by the water.
Virginia Coyle
Staff Artist
vcoyle@bayschool-arts.com
Growing up, Viriginia always had a paint brush or crayons in hand and was the kid in class found doodling in the margins of her paper. Although she works in various media, her favorite is a combination of acrylic, watercolor, and alcohol ink. Her Folk Art style themes are often compared to Grandma Moses. Recently, she got her dream studio and is focused on becoming a full-time artist.
Virginia has been at The Bay School for many years as part-time support and works in the gallery and teaches in the outreach programs, as well as classes for adults and children. She and her husband have two grown children and she is raising her granddaughters to follow in her artistic footsteps. Virginia has been interested in art all of her life and sells her work at The Bay School and other galleries.
Jennifer Schroeder
Gallery Coordinator
jenschroeder@bayschool-arts.com
Jennifer began her association with The Bay School over 15 years ago as an exhibiting artist and a little later as an instructor. In 2019, she began a totally new relationship with The Bay School when she began working as the Gallery Coordinator. Jennifer affirms, “I have always felt that The Bay School was a wonderfully creative place to be. . .We are so lucky to have this incredible resource in our community where we can find and make art! I feel doubly lucky now that I get to work here.”
Jennifer enjoys painting animals on jewelry, glassware, and hanging art. She is a current gallery artist, vends at shows, and ships her art all over the US to people that love their pets. Jennifer lives in Mathews with her husband Mike, daughter Adelle and 5 dogs. In her free time she shows her dogs on the weekends and enjoys camping with her family.
Davida Hall
Outreach Coordinator
outreach@bayschool-arts.com
Davida was a national board-certified elementary school art teacher with Prince Georges County, Maryland for 17 years and holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland and a graduate degree in Art Education from Towson University. Upon retirement, she and her husband moved to Gloucester, where she became involved with The Bay School, teaching outreach art classes with special education programs, the YMCA, Active Lifestyle Center, public schools, and Montessori.
Her interests include basket making, weaving, and photography. She also is an avid border collie lover, currently has three dogs and has volunteered with the Gloucester/Mathews Humane Society and Glen Highland, a rescue for senior border collies.
Peggy Shifflett
Pottery Studio Technician
pottery@bayschool-arts.com
Peggy has been a painter all her life, stained glass artist for ten years, and a potter since 2016. Her recent work incorporates her painting into her ceramic and sculptural pieces. In addition to being a very active volunteer at The Bay School, she serves as a Pottery Studio Technician, sharing her creative insights and skills with our students and artists.
Peggy began her art career in billboard design for ad campaigns, attended TAD Tech for drafting, and was the graphic designer/draftsperson for the City of Richmond for 15 years. After retiring in 2022, she discovered The Bay School. Showing her enthusiasm, Peggy says, “The Bay School feels like it is my “home.” I enjoy every minute of my time here and hope to continue for many years!”
Christina Hubbard
Pottery Studio Technician
Christina Hubbard is a Lieutenant Firefighter Paramedic whose journey into the world of pottery began as a childhood dream. After years of dedicated service as a first responder, Christina turned to clay art as a form of healing and creative renewal. Pottery became not only a therapeutic outlet, but also a long-awaited passion she is able to pursue because of the Bay School Community Arts Center.
Christina got her start in ceramics through classes offered at The Bay School. Working as a pottery studio technician, Christina brings both heart and hands-on expertise to our program. She is passionate about creating welcoming, supportive spaces where others can discover the transformative joy of working with clay. Christina is especially excited to share the therapeutic power of pottery with students and the community.
She lives in White Stone with her husband and two children, Liam and Elsa, and continues to be inspired by the beauty of art, resilience, and lifelong learning.
Adelle Hudgins
Gallery Assistant
Adelle is Jennifer’s daughter and is attending Virginia Commonwealth University where she is studying interior design. She works Saturdays year-round as needed, assisting with gallery, classroom, office, and cleaning tasks. She also assists with various summer camps.
Steph Brown Soles
Gallery and Administrative Assistant
Steph has been self-employed as a graphic designer since 1985. Originally from Pennsylvania, she has always had a love of the arts. Pencil drawings, pen & ink and watercolor are her favorite mediums, which led to teaching classes in PA at the art supply and framing shop she owned from 1999-2006. Her background includes trades show exhibit design, drafting, architectural design, print design and corporate identity development. She enjoys teaching more than anything else, and feels that anyone who has the desire can create - it’s just a matter of helping the hand communicate what the heart feels.