Carmen has always taught others from the time she helped classmates learn to read as a “peer tutor” in kindergarten to being a full time college professor of art to running and teaching in her own program, Carmen's Academy. Her teaching experience has been varied and has included being a kindergarten teacher in Brooklyn and a visiting Artist in Residence at schools across SC, leaving behind inspired students and their completed art projects such as impressive life size sculpture and murals. She has provided art instruction at classes and camps in SC and NYC school curriculums, after school programs, and art centers, since developing the “Art Lessons for All Ages” program in Charleston (1987-89) before moving to NYC for graduate school. Carmen was on the faculty at Holly Hill Academy, where she developed an Art History course for high school students. She currently directs and teaches with "Carmen's Academy of Creativity and Goodness," bringing the arts to Eutawville, SC; and is in the faculty at Coastal Carolina University's Visual Art Department.
Carmen received her Master’s Degree in 1991, earning her M.F.A. from The New York Academy of Art (NY University). Carmen coordinated and enhanced programs for Girl Scouts of Eastern SC for three years and worked as the Older Girl specialist, helping with the process of doing ambitious service projects and earning the highest honors in Girl Scouts. In addition to teaching through "Carmen's Academy," she also runs Bilton Arts Studio with her husband, local artist, Chris Bilton, where along with the fine art they both make, Chris designs and builds musical instruments, performs music and teaches music lessons.
