2023 Midwest Salute to the Arts - TEL - 08/17/23

WELCOME TO THE 35TH MIDWEST SALUTE TO THE ARTS

Each year Moody Park on Longacre Drive is abuzz with activity as it is transformed into the weekend home of award-winning artists, musicians, culinary artists and Not-for-Profits. This year’s fair will provide an oasis amidst green space and newly renovated pavilions in Everett Moody Park. One of the Midwest's most beloved art shows and winner of 2018’s Best of Southwest Illinois in the category of Local Event/Festival. The "Salute" has become an annual family event for many of our patrons. Over the years we have watched as the young artists whose love of art began in our Children's Gallery and Creation Station have grown into loyal patrons who now bring their own children and introduce them to art and its appreciation. This wonderful event would not be possible without the support of our sponsors and our community. Over 300 volunteers have helped to make the "Salute" a favorite amongst our artists. Our

all-volunteer Arts Council spends countless hours making the event run seamlessly. Without the support of the City of Fairview Heights and the dedication of the City officials and employees this annual show would not be possible. We cannot adequately express our

35th Anniversary

appreciation for each and every one of you.

We are thrilled that you have chosen to spend some time with us. We know that you will enjoy the festival atmosphere, exhibits, shopping and activities. Again, welcome to Moody Park and the City of Fairview Heights.

We thank you for your support! - The Midwest Salute Arts Council Art for Everyone, Art Everyday

LETTER FROM THE MAYOR

Dear Friends,

As the Mayor of Fairview Heights, I welcome you to our city and to the 35th annual Midwest Salute to the Arts! We are excited to have you join us at Moody Park on August 25th, 26th and 27th at the Midwest Premier Art Show featuring up to 100 juried artists, as they display their fine crafts and works of art.

The City of Fairview Heights has served as the host city and primary sponsor of the Salute to the Arts every year since the inaugural event in 1988. The show started as a vision from one of our elected officials who had visited an art event in Mystic, CT and brought back the idea to our community. With the commitment and dedication of many individuals, the City of Fairview Heights launched this amazing event for the St. Louis metropolitan area.

Fairview Heights has so much to offer, including shopping, dining, activities for all ages, as well as one of the regions super malls, St Clair Square. Our community has dozens of restaurants, catering to all types of food, many hotels, a great library, outstanding police and fire department, great schools and a variety of churches and faith-based organizations in our city.

The city has incredible recreational activities in our seven parks, including our premier recreational facility “The Rec”! Also, 3 dog parks for our four-legged friends to enjoy! We have a great mix of residents from all cultures who call Fairview Heights home and welcome you to enjoy our community.

I invite you to visit and support our many local businesses in town that offer unique experiences from shopping, dining and desserts!

Our city is located just a few miles from Scott Air Force Base, home to multiple military commands and thousands of military

individuals and families that call our area and Fairview Heights home!

The Salute to the Arts is an amazing event that wouldn’t happen without the support of the whole community, sponsors and hundreds of volunteers that support the Midwest Salute to the Art’s Council, who leads this event.

I look forward to seeing you at the Salute to the Arts, where you will enjoy visiting with the artists as they share their amazing talents and craftmanship with you and the community.

Welcome to Fairview Heights,

Mark T. Kupsky, Mayor City of Fairview Heights

How did a little city in Southwestern Illinois become the

site of a Nationally Recognized Art Festival?

It started 30-plus years ago when a former alderman, Gene Ellerbusch, visited the Mystic, Connecticut, Outdoor Art Festival and realized that Fairview Heights, Illinois, might be able to present a similar outdoor event. The City Council appointed Mrs. Billy McLemore as head of a committee to explore the possibility. The project had begun.

Mystic was revisited, and other art fairs were contacted, including the renowned Festival of the Masters in Orlando, Florida. When their search was finished, it became apparent that Fairview Heights had the resources and the spirit to present such an event. The decision was made – let’s do it!

The Midwest Salute to the Masters was established with the goal of combining the community involvement of the Mystic show with the ultra-high standards of the Orlando “Masters” show. After much hard work and untold hours of planning, the first Midwest Salute to the Masters was held on the weekend of Oct. 1 and 2, 1988. It was received with both critical and popular acclaim.

Midwest

Today, the show is known as the Midwest Salute to the Arts. The all-volunteer staff continues to work toward the common goal of presenting one of the premier art festivals in the country.

Salute to the Arts Best of the Best for several years and counting!

POSTERS through the years

CURRENT POSTER & COVER

35 Annual Midwest Salute to the Arts

2023 Poster

THE ONE THAT STARTED IT ALL

1st Annual Midwest Salute to the Arts

1988 Poster

POSTERS through the years

ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE

FRIDAY NIGHT ENTERTAINMENT

Anita Michelle Jackson

AUG. 25, 6 – 9:30 P.M.

AMEREN STAGE

Anita Jackson is a native of St. Louis, Missouri who returned home after living in New York City for twelve years. She is a graduate of the American Music and Dramatic Academy in New York and has performed extensively nationally and internationally in theater productions, concerts and workshops. She has recorded and performed as a background vocalist for several artists in the music industry.

Anita accepted a fellowship as a resident artist with the Kranzberg Arts Foundation (KAF) as a featured jazz performance and recording artist in 2018, releasing a jazz compilation EP with her fellow KAF artists-in-residence from the Dark Room series at the Grandel with her own original composition called “Your Time” written with Phillip Graves, Joshua Crump and Jeff Taylor.

Anita gives thanks to the family of Christ and praises God for HIS matchless goodness and mercy.

She dedicates all her performances to her late mom, Barbara Marie Jackson; her late aunts, Marian Ashford and Jackie Broom; and to her beautiful daughter, Christian Reignah-Lee for giving her so much strength.

AUG. 26

Lanny & Julie 10-11:30am

Bill Puhse 12-1:30pm

Dusty James & Abalone Pearl 1:45-3:30pm

Jay Dover 11am-12:30pm

Louis Michael 1:15-2:45pm

Mark Biehl 3:15-5pm

Sweetie & The Toothaches 5:30-8pm CHILDREN’S

SATURDAY, AUG. 26 & SUNDAY, AUG. 27

Cartoons for Kids by Randall Spriggs,

Stories & Stones with Marilyn & Larry Kinsella,

CHILDREN’S AREA

Sponsored By:

Children’s Creation Station and Gallery | Midwest Salute to the Arts Festival

Saturday 10 a -3p | Sunday 11a-3p

Children’s Gallery Offers Kids-Only Shopping!

CHILDREN’S CREATION STATION

This years projects include:

• Colorful Coffee Filter Flowers

• Decorative Door Hangers

• Upcycled Chalkboard Art

Where can kids buy art without mom or dad nudging them toward something they like? Only at the Midwest Salute to the Arts Children’s Gallery.

The Children’s Gallery was designed to foster an interest in art at an early age. Children ages 5-13 enter the gallery and choose a piece of art, free from parental influence. After the child has selected a piece, they are encouraged to visit the artist who created their piece to find out how it was created. The cost to enter the gallery is $10.

Plan to stop by the Gallery opening at 10 am on Saturday, August 26th and 11 am on Sunday, August 27th to let your little ones start their own art collection, or, add to it! Gallery will be open until all art has been disbursed.

CREATE WITH RJ MOBILE ART STUDIO

This years projects include:

• Painting Pet Rocks

2023 EXHIBITING ARTISTS

KENDLE DURDEN

SPRINGFIELD, MO CLAY

BOOTH 67

MADELINE JONES

CHESTERFIELD, MO CLAY

BOOTH 40

PHILLIP BONUSHKIN

ORLANDO, FL CLAY

BOOTH 54

REBECCA GRANT

ALTON, IL CLAY

BOOTH 5

2023 EXHIBITING ARTISTS

TONY TREADWAY

NEW HARMONY, IN CLAY

BOOTH 12

BRIAN VIAMONTES

ST. CHARLES, MO DRAWING/PRINTMAKING (GRAPHICS)

BOOTH 91

CAITLIN PENNY

LENEXA, KS DRAWING/PRINTMAKING (GRAPHICS)

BOOTH 59

JAY WENNERSTEN

CAROL STREAM, IL DRAWING/PRINTMAKING (GRAPHICS)

BOOTH 39

ART & FINE CRAFT DEMONSTRATION

ALL DAY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY

Artisan Guild of Southern Illinois

Midwest Woodcarvers

Gateway East Artist Guild

The Artisan Guild of Southern Illinois is a non-profit organization formed to further the understanding of and appreciation for all arts and fine crafts with special emphasis in the arts and crafts of our heritage (fibers, fabrics, smithing, pottery, basketry, weaving, leathercraft, woodworking, homestead life, and more). The Guild accomplishes this through the conduct and support of workshops, classes, demonstrations, displays, meetings, lectures, and sales. Meetings are open to the public. Visit the Artisan Guild of Southern Illinois website for additional information, www.artisansil.org.

The Midwest Woodcarvers club celebrates its half-century anniversary of providing woodcarving training, inspiration, and creative expressions to the greater St Louis area. With a membership numbering 150 artisans, the Woodcarvers club represent all varieties of wood carving methods. Meetings are open to the public. Visit the Woodcarvers club website for additional information, www.midwestwoodcarvers.com.

A non-profit organization of art enthusiasts, GEAG encourages self-expression through the visual arts, and fosters awareness, appreciation, and artistic development through educational programs throughout the St Louis Metro-East community. GEAG members are from a wide variety artistic backgrounds and skill levels from professional, nationally recognized artists, to those just starting out. Meetings are open to the public. Visit the GEAG website for additional information, www.geag.net.

VENDORS

FEAST AT THE PARK

FOOD TRUCKS

FANTASTICK POPS

ROTARY CLUB OF FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS

D & T OL’ FASHION

TONG PHOON THAI RESTAURANT

TAKOZZ REAL MEXICAN FOOD

KONA TROPICAL ICE

SOUR PUSS LEMONADE SHAKE-UPS

VENDORS

ROTARY CLUB OF FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS

NOTHING BUNDT CAKES

SOUR PUSS LEMONADE SHAKE-UPS

2023 EXHIBITING ARTISTS

JON JAHRAUS

PARKVILLE, MO DRAWING/PRINTMAKING (GRAPHICS)

BOOTH 77

JOSEPH BODUS

OVERLAND, MO DRAWING/PRINTMAKING (GRAPHICS)

BOOTH 33

2023 EXHIBITING ARTISTS

MADELEINE WIERING

ST. LOUIS, MO

DRAWING/PRINTMAKING (GRAPHICS)

BOOTH 63

MICHAEL PLURAD

ST. LOUIS, MO DRAWING/PRINTMAKING (GRAPHICS)

BOOTH 36

DIANE LAWRENCE

BERRYTON, KS FINE CRAFTS

BOOTH 45

JAHNA KAHRHOFF

WEBSTER GROVES, MO FINE CRAFTS

BOOTH 66

2023 EXHIBITING ARTISTS

KRISTIN MCDONOUGH

ST. LOUIS, MO FINE CRAFTS

BOOTH 10

Providing commercial photography ser vices Locally and nationally to a variety of businesses. Our ser vices include Headshots photography, product photography, corporate company events and group photography, and product/business branding for marketing campaigns.

(618) 709-9365

www.jharrisphotography.com

Congrats to the Salute to the Arts!

JILL CALVERT BOOTH 38

BLUE SPRINGS, MO FINE CRAFTS

2023 EXHIBITING ARTISTS

LIZ DAVIDSON

CARBONDALE, IL FINE CRAFTS

BOOTH 52

PAT O’BRIEN

FLORISSANT, MO FINE CRAFTS

BOOTH 25

PHILIPPE LAINE

PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL FINE CRAFTS

BOOTH 51

DOUGLAS BECKER

BETHAL, MN

GLASS

BOOTH 9

2023 EXHIBITING ARTISTS

SHIELA CAHILL

OWENSVILLE, MO

GLASS

BOOTH 26

TONY & CHRISTY BODNAR

COLLINSVILLE, IL

GLASS

BOOTH 79

ALLISON NORFLEET BRUENGER

ST. LOUIS, MO

JEWELRY

BOOTH 61

BEVERLY KONTNEY

DEERFIELD, IL JEWELRY

BOOTH 87

2023 EXHIBITING ARTISTS

CHRISTINE HARTSOCK

SANTA YNEZ, CA JEWELRY

BOOTH 19

DAVID BAILEY

ALTON, IL JEWELRY

BOOTH 23

DAVID BARBER

EKALAKA, MT JEWELRY

GEORGE SHAROS

SWANSEA, IL JEWELRY

BOOTH 17

2023 EXHIBITING ARTISTS

JON LEE BOOTH 29

LEWIS CENTER, OH JEWELRY

O’FALLON, MO JEWELRY

KATHY FIELDS BOOTH 55

35th Anniversar

Celebrating 35 Years

Midwest Salute to the Arts extends a special invitation to ArtVillage to curate and install their inaugural Sculpture Exhibition, mar king a momentus milestone as Salute Celebrates their 35th Arts Festival. This collaborative endeavor aims to unite various art disciplines and foster growth within the Fairview Heights area. With shared aspirations, both Salute and ArtVillage are committed to exploring innovative avenues to support artists and showcase contemporary art within our vibrant community.

ART CAN CHANGE A COMMUNITY

Inspiration, Vision and a New Purpose that will Cultivate Innovation with the Expression of Art!

ThisisArtby D.Katon

Art Vill ag e Sculpture Exhibition

Allena Brazier

Joe Chesla

Alex R. Davis

Kale Day

Michael Eastman

Karen Elshout

Nina Gancia

Ann Johnson

Deborah Katon

Sarah Knight

Robert Longyear

Catharine Magel

Snail Scott

Christina Shmigel

Thomas Sleet

Kim Stahl

Wiktor Szostalo

Andre Tourrette

Kevin Trobaugh

PhotobyDeborahKaton artvillagefoundation.org

2023 EXHIBITING ARTISTS

LARRY DRAKE

NASHVILLE, TN JEWELRY

BOOTH 60

LUIS PEREZ

TITUSVILLE, FL JEWELRY

BOOTH 6

MARY CIEBIEN

BELLEVILLE, IL JEWELRY

BOOTH 69

TERRI CHEATHAM

SWANSEA, IL JEWELRY

2023 EXHIBITING ARTISTS

TOM SUTER

SPRINGFIELD, IL JEWELRY

BOOTH 46

AARON COLEMAN

KANSAS CITY, MO MIXED MEDIA

BOOTH 44

ALISON BOZARTH

ST. LOUIS, MO MIXED MEDIA

BOOTH 62

KIARALINDA

SAFETY HARBOR, FL MIXED MEDIA

BOOTH 47

MIDWEST SALUTE TO THE

ARTS BOOTH LOCATIONS

2023 EXHIBITING ARTISTS

LAURIE & GERALD WILHITE

HUNTINGBURG, IN MIXED MEDIA

BOOTH 20

MATT JONES

GROVER, MO MIXED MEDIA

BOOTH 13

RON SIERACKI

SCHILLER PARK, IL MIXED MEDIA

BOOTH 27

RONALD VIECELI

CARBONDALE, IL

MIXED MEDIA

BOOTH 85

2023 EXHIBITING ARTISTS

ROXANNE GABBARD

ENGLISH, IN MIXED MEDIA

BOOTH 18

SHALEN BOYER

DESOTO, MO MIXED MEDIA

BOOTH 41

VIRGINIA WITT

O’FALLON, IL

MIXED MEDIA

BOOTH 73

DAWN MILLER

DEXTER, MO

MIXED MEDIA

BOOTH 7

2023 EXHIBITING ARTISTS

EMILY CROSS BOOTH 3

ST. LOUIS, MO MIXED MEDIA

ABBY LAWRENCE BOOTH 42

ST. LOUIS, MO PAINTING

2023 EXHIBITING ARTISTS

ANDREW ROLA

ST. LOUIS, MO PAINTING

BOOTH 75

CHRIS ABIGT

OTTUMWA, IA PAINTING

BOOTH 14

JENNIFER MALLORY-WELCH

JACKSONVILLE, IL PAINTING

BOOTH 4

KENYA FERRAND-OTT

W. LAFAYETTE, IN PAINTING

BOOTH 89

2023 JUDGING PANEL

Jaque Davis

Jacque Davis harnesses the vast possibilities of cloth to paint surreal landscapes that capture the symbolic language of dreams. With a long history in the textile arts, her training began in traditional quilting and includes many years of weaving fine laces. In 2000, her work evolved as she began exploring different methods to create original cloth designs. She has practiced dyeing and color removal techniques as well as photography and use of digital programs to manipulate and then print vibrant images on cloth. She then applies intricate stitching to enhance the cloth and shape her artistic expression. She has worked as a Gallery Director and Art Programs Facilitator teaching a variety of art methods to adults and children.

Michael Anderson is a visual artist based in Belleville, IL working in traditional mediums of oils, watercolors and drawing. He established Michael Anderson Studio in the early 1980’s and has blended a lengthy career of architectural rendering, fine art, commissioned works and digital art.

Michael’s paintings have been featured in twelve solo exhibitions in venues including the Missouri Athletic Club and The Ethical Society of St. Louis. He has created architectural renderings for projects such as Chihuly Garden + Glass, Seattle and the Saint Louis Zoo. His artwork has been used as promotional posters for Opera Edwardsville, the Art On The Square festival, Belleville, IL and Art In the Park, Highland, IL. Michael’s works are included in the permanent collections of Southwestern Illinois College, the Angad Arts Hotel and Memorial Hospital East. He is an Art Saint Louis Honors Award recipient as well as a Belleville Mural Project artist.

Keyona Fisher

Anderson

Bachelors in Art, Eastern IL University; Masters in Art Education, Mansfield University.

I taught art for 30 years. I have a master’s in art education, but now that I have retired I feel more like a working artist. I still love to teach and create art.

Michael

2023 EXHIBITING ARTISTS

MOLLIE CHOUNARD

SAINT ANN, MO PAINTING

BOOTH 82

REBEKAH CHAUVIN

HAZELWOOD, MO PAINTING

BOOTH 34

ROBERT COMMAN

LAKELAND, FL PAINTING

BOOTH 83

SEAN MILLER

WASHINGTON, IA PAINTING

BOOTH 56

MASTERPIECE MONEY

BE A MASTERPIECE PATRON!

You love art. You love the art show. You want to support the artists who travel from all over the US to exhibit in Fairview Heights IL.

Midwest Salute to the Arts Masterpiece Money is a pre-purchase of art certificates that can be used to buy original art directly from the artist at the fair. The entire amount of the sale goes towards supporting the artist of your choice. Lets’ be honest: The Salute is free, but it’s not free to put on. The Midwest Salute to the Arts is a nonprofit organization that relies on the Cityand community’s generosity. To attract the best artists, they need to know they will be able to sell some art. It costs artists hundreds of dollarsto exhibit at a fair. WE want to support THEM, too!

Donations to Midwest Salute to the Arts are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law. The Midwest Salute to the Arts is a NonProfit Organization under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. P.O. Box 2032 Fairview Heights IL, 62208

MASTERPIECE MONEY

• Masterpiece money is negotiable only for purchases from artists participating in the 2022 midwest salute to the arts.

• All sales of masterpiece money are final. Masterpiece money is not transferable.

• Not responsible for lost or stolen certificates. No cash value.

EXPIRES AT 5:00PM, AUGUST 27TH, 2023.

Photos by J. Harris Photography

2023 EXHIBITING ARTISTS

TATYANA ROBBERTS

O’FALLON, IL PAINTING

BOOTH 64

TONY RUBBA

SPRINGFIELD, IL PAINTING

BOOTH 21

BRUCE TOULMIN

ST. LOUIS, MO PHOTOGRAPHY

BOOTH 16

DAVID GONZALEZ

ALTON, IL PHOTOGRAPHY

BOOTH 57

2023 EXHIBITING ARTISTS

ROCHEPORT, MO PHOTOGRAPHY

BOOTH 74

ST. CHARLES, MO PHOTOGRAPHY

BOOTH 24

NEIL BROWN

ST. LOUIS, MO PHOTOGRAPHY

BOOTH 37

KENT DURK

M. BARRY

2023 EXHIBITING ARTISTS

RON MELLOTT

BLOOMINGTON, IN PHOTOGRAPHY

BOOTH 78

ANTHONY SLICHENMYER

OLNEY, IL SCULPTURE

BOOTH 15

BUDDY SHAW

NEW BLOOMFIELD, MO SCULPTURE

BOOTH 58

DAVE PATTON

VILLA RIDGE, MO SCULPTURE

BOOTH 80

VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS

REQUIREMENTS:

Volunteers who are enthusiastic about their role and willing to pitch in. We’ll make sure that everyone has a great time! ONLY with the help of our volunteers can the “Salute” continue presenting one of the premier art events in the country. Volunteers make the Midwest Salute to the Arts the wonderful event it is!

NOTE: Many volunteer activities are eligible for community service recognition required by some school and scout programs.

SET UP AND DECORATIONS:

Thursday, 8/24 starting at 4pm, help to unload items from Grand Rental and set up tables and chairs where they belong. Friday, 8/25 starting at 8:00am, continue with decorations, place tablecloths, flowers, etc.

ARTIST ASSIST:

Each Artist Assist (AA) is assigned to approximately 20 artists. They then walk around that tent to first introduce themselves to the Artists in their tent and explain that they are there to help when needed. Working with the Hospitality tent, AA’s distribute drinks as needed and snacks at pre-assigned times as noted in Hospitality tent. The AA’s also watch Artists’ booths if the artist needs to step away for a few minutes or simply needs a break. This is a fun and interesting job! Shifts

are 3 hours each available Saturday and Sunday.

CHILDREN’S CREATION STATION:

The Creation Station is an interactive art area for kids. Volunteers work with Children by helping with specified arts/crafts projects. Volunteers also help clean stations in between projects and keep things in order. This is a high energy area with entertainment nearby for your listening pleasure. Shifts are 3 hours each available Saturday and Sunday.

CHILDREN’S GALLERY:

Upon entry to the show, each artists is required to donate 2 pieces of art to the Children’s Gallery. The Gallery is then opened for Kids-only shopping! The Children’s Gallery is designed to foster an interest in art at an early age. Children 5-13 enter the gallery and choose a piece of art, free

from parental influence. After the child has selected their piece, they are encouraged to visit the artist who created it. Cost is $10. Volunteers help set up the art in the gallery. Since no parents are allowed, volunteers also assist children in the gallery if needed while shopping. It’s fun to see what each child selects. Shifts are 2-3 hours each available Saturday and Sunday. We also need two people to help on Friday when artists check in to obtain their donations and track accordingly.

TEAR-DOWN AND CLEAN-UP:

All good things must come to an end! Starting at 5pm on Sunday, August 27th, the clean up begins. Volunteers should bring gloves and be ready to work! Email if interested so we have your name. There is always a fun ending to the evening!

2023 EXHIBITING ARTISTS

DORIS TROJCAK

ST. LOUIS, MO SCULPTURE

BOOTH 68

DOUG ADAMS

FAIRFIELD, IA SCULPTURE

BOOTH 53

GRACELAYNN TAMRAK

BALLWIN, MO SCULPTURE

BOOTH 81

JERRY & JACQUE CRABLE

BURLINGTON, IA

SCULPTURE

BOOTH 30 & 31

2023 EXHIBITING ARTISTS

DAN SNYDER

KIRKWOOD, MO WOOD

BOOTH 22

DAVID AION

OLIVETTE, MO WOOD

BOOTH 11

JUSTIN BOLLINI

BELLEVILLE, IL WOOD

BOOTH 72

KAREN DEGUIRE

ST. LOUIS, MO WOOD

BOOTH 43

2023 EXHIBITING ARTISTS

KELLY GERSTNER

IMPERIAL, MO WOOD

BOOTH 65

LAWTON, OK WOOD

LARRY SHAFER BOOTH 2

Proud Sponsors Of the Midwest Salute to the Arts

John & Marti

Baricevic

Morgan Stanley

PAUL BAESKE

WEALTH ADVISOR

2023 EXHIBITING ARTISTS

ROBERT ASSELMEIER

WATERLOO, IL WOOD

BOOTH 86

SHERRY & JAY PHILLIPS

CHESTERFIELD, MO WOOD

BOOTH 32

STEVE MARTIN

CARTERVILLE, IL WOOD

BOOTH 35

2023 EXHIBITING ARTISTS

P roud Sponsor of the Midwest Salute to the Arts!

to the Midwest Salute to the Arts on their 35th season!

Mark Kern County Board Chairman St. Clair County

Alderwoman Brenda Wagner & Gary Crawford

Proud Sponsor of the Midwest Salute to the Arts!

Proud Sponsor of the Midwest Salute to the Ar ts!

2022 MIDWEST SALUTE TO THE ARTS COUNCIL CHOICE AWARD WINNER

KAREN DEGUIRE, WOOD

I am a creative force of nature. It’s the air I breathe, the way I worship. I am always looking for new ways to bring beauty into existence. I studied oil painting, ceramics, photography, and theatrical costuming in college. I dabbled in all of those things as hobbies and professionally, until I discovered a local maker space that offers all kinds of new technology. The laser cutters presented an amazing opportunity to use materials I hadn’t explored before, and quickly I had a new passion with endless possibilities and abounding inspiration.

My laser-cut art consists of many layers and many steps. The design process on the computer can take weeks for a single design. Once I decide on a color scheme, I paint each 1/8” sheet of birch wood by hand with water based wood dyes and metallic acrylics. I then cut them out one by one on a 60-watt CO2

laser. When the layers are cut, I meticulously adhere each layer together using a roller and dental tools to control the glue. I find the precision involved in this step is very satisfying and therapeutic for my mild OCD. The layers are pressed one at a time in a custom jig I made with three four-way pressure clamps to insure adhesion. After all the layers are secure, I seal the piece with polyurethane and place a hanger and bumpers on the back. Every piece is one of a kind and a labor of love.

My influences are rooted in nature, sacred geometry, and architecture. Everywhere I go, I see a new design in the making or a shape to be created. I believe my ability to organize shapes and colors into universally resonant motifs is one of my greatest strengths and I enjoy sharing the results with others.

Photos by J. Harris Photography