Meet Our Team at Second Nature Arts
Susan Lynn Smith
[FOUNDER/DIRECTOR]
Susan holds a BFA from New York University and a MFA from the San Francisco Art Institute. Her photography as been exhibited at the Visual Studies Workshop, Gulf and Western Gallery, International Center of Photography, Cantor Film Center, Fort Mason Center, Root Division, San Francisco City Hall, MarinMOCA, Cordon | Potts Gallery, Diego Rivera Gallery, RayKo Photo Center, Inclusions Gallery, The Bascom, Berkeley Art Center, and Upstream Gallery. Susan has been an artist-in-residence at VCCA, Penland School of Craft, The Hambidge Center, Vyt - Art Students League of NY, The Rensing Center, and the Lillian E. Smith Center. In 2008, Susan joined the staff at The Oxbow School in Napa, CA, where she was faculty for Oxbow Summer Art Camp before taking on the directorial role from 2011-2020. In 2010, she co-founded Green Art Workshop, a San Francisco based nonprofit for which she acted as co-director and lead facilitator for nearly a decade. From 2019 to 2023, Susan contributed her expertise to the Berkshire Hills Regional School District’s OST programs at Muddy Brook Elementary School, as both an instructor and coordinator. She founded Second Nature Arts in the Berkshires in 2019, where she continues to lead the organization.
Sally Smith Zagaja
[INSTRUCTOR]
Sally is a Special Education and Early Childhood Consultant for Seaside Educational Consultants, LABBB Collaborative and the Northshore Education Consortium. Her previous educational roles include serving as the Early Childhood Coordinator and Northeast Regional Associate Manager of Walker Partnerships, Director of Professional Development for the Ed. Collaborative of Greater Boston. She has also served as a preschool special education teacher, an inclusion specialist, and Early Childhood Coordinator, and the Director of Student Services for Belmont Public Schools. Sally has conducted professional development trainings and directed program evaluations of special education programs and services for numerous MA public school districts. Additionally, she has instructed and supervised graduate students from Boston area colleges and universities and mentored teachers and coordinators.
Katherine Smith
[INSTRUCTOR]
Katherine has been involved in educating all ages of people as a teaching assistant and teaching artist since 2016. Before she dove head first into her creative pursuits she was a swim instructor and coach for a decade. Her primary creative interests include collage-style recycled art, textiles, and photography. Katherine has extensive experience in the fiber world as a spinner and a weaver, creating intricate landscapes and color fields using natural materials such as wool, cotton, and flax. Repurposing scraps from her weavings, she spins new yarn to be made into art. She loves teaching kids and adults new skills and facilitating the exploration of their own creativity. Katherine currently attends the University of Massachusetts - Lowell for social sciences.
John Tower
[INSTRUCTOR]
John has been a member of the Berkshire Hills Regional School District since 2022. Currently, he serves as a paraprofessional at Muddy Brook Elementary, supporting fourth-grade students in their mastery of math, reading, writing, and English language skills. Previously, he dedicated a decade of his life to living and working in a Pennsylvania community that supported adults with special needs. In this role, he facilitated the discovery of individuals' talents while working on the land, facilitating volunteer opportunities, and also volunteering himself in the wider community. Prior to this, John spent over twenty years raising young horses, guiding them through their early lessons, watching and listening for communication that was without words. While in PA, John learned how to make and monitor Bluebird nest boxes. In Great Barrington, he has put up boxes at both Monument Mountain High School and at Muddy Brook Elementary. Notably, one of these boxes with a special "green roof" made with gardening students won a 1st place ribbon at a fair in Altamont, NY!
Jeanne Bassis
[INSTRUCTOR]
Jeanne brings a master’s degree in special education and a lifelong passion for the healing power of play. Since founding PlayReflections: Playshops for the Kid in Everyone in 1987, she has invited people of all ages to reconnect with their innate sense of wonder across a wide range of settings. With a playful and imaginative approach, Jeanne supports participants in moving beyond self-imposed limits and discovering new ways of engaging with themselves and the world. She believes that play can uplift mental health, strengthen relationships, and foster more compassionate communities.
Melanie Willins
[INSTRUCTOR]
Melanie is an Educational Psychologist and Child Development Specialist based in Western Massachusetts with over 20 years of experience supporting children and families. She integrates evidence-based child development strategies with holistic practices to nurture children’s social and emotional well-being. A certified 200-hour yoga teacher and Reiki practitioner, Melanie brings a grounded, whole-child approach to her work. Over the past 13 years, she has served as a school consultant, parent coach, nanny, preschool teacher, swim instructor, researcher, and early intervention developmental specialist.
Mia Faggioni
[INSTRUCTOR]
Mia is an Early Childhood Education major at Westfield State University with a strong passion for working with young children. Throughout her studies, she has gained valuable hands-on experience by working with children in summer and after-school programs within the Berkshire Hills Regional School District. This experience has helped her develop a deep understanding of how to support children in a fun, engaging, and nurturing way. She loves creating learning experiences where children feel confident, curious, and appreciated for who they are. Whether through storytelling, arts and crafts, or outdoor play, she focuses on building meaningful connections and encouraging exploration. She is currently continuing her studies to make a lasting, positive impact in early childhood education.
For additional info, please complete the PROGRAM INQUIRY FORM, send an EMAIL or call 413.457.1646.