The Lake Geneva Public Library and Geneva Lake Arts Foundation announced a special exhibit of seven area artists. The work of Dorae Bowen, Nicholette “Nikki” Marsicano, Sarah McConnell, Star Norini, Pam Ring, Eileen Streu, and Gary R. Wigman will be on display at the library during August.
Dorae Bowen is new to Lake Geneva, having previously lived in Grants Pass, Oregon, where her work was featured and sold in galleries and wineries. Fourteen years ago, she decided to try watercolors, and they are now her passion. She’s looking forward to sharing her work with others in Lake Geneva.
Nikki Marsicano lives in Delavan and is an experienced visual art instructor. She is the President of GLAF and is currently at work on ink and acrylic images on wood panels. Nikki is always inspired by nature and says that she uses “those shapes and lines I see to create my pieces.”
Sarah McConnell, originally from Oak Park, now living in Lake Geneva, credits her aunt for inspiring her to pursue art, as she spent her childhood summers on the lake accompanying her aunt as she painted en plein air. Sarah said “watercolor remains my most challenging and most rewarding art form.” She also loves to experiment with mixed media and acrylics.
Star Norini, a recently retired award-winning interior designer, lives in Lake Geneva. She now hopes to focus on her lifelong passion of drawing and painting. Star specializes in florals, commissioned pet portraits, still life, and nature studies using several different media.
Art has always been an important part of her life and she’s excited to be involved in GLAF.
Pam Ring, a collage artist, works out of her home studio in Lake Geneva. Her collages are the ultimate in “green art” as she uses found materials in her pieces. For the past 8 years, she has donated hundreds of her handmade Christmas ornaments to the Walworth County Food Pantry. She says that her art “comes from a place of compassion.”
Eileen Streu recently moved from Illinois to Wisconsin. As a nonprofit professional, she provided math programs to students across the country. Now retired, she volunteers for GLAF serving as its Treasurer, and volunteers for the Lake Area Free Clinic. Eileen works in stained and fused glass, fulfilling her childhood dream of creating colorful, light-filled art.
Gary R. Wigman, Vice President of GLAF, lives in McHenry, IL. In the 1960s, he studied at the American Academy of Art in Chicago. After art school, he devoted 45 years to a career in law enforcement. Upon retiring, Gary returned to the watercolors of his youth. His watercolors have won numerous awards and have been widely exhibited.
Geneva Lake Arts Foundation Inc. is a 501c3 charity. Its mission is to encourage individual artistic growth and excellence, as well as increase community exposure to the visual arts. It fosters appreciation of the fine arts through the arrangement of shows, lectures, demonstrations, workshops and its art mentoring program.
For more information visit www.genevalakeartsfoundation.org.
The Lake Geneva Public Library is at 918 W. Main St. It has a long history of supporting local artists and has many of their works on permanent display.
For more information about the library and its services, visit www.lakegeneva.lib.wi.us.
