Category: Artists

Kellar writes and illustrates poems. She shares, “I have always liked to work with words, and that led to painting. Or was it the other way around?” After moving to Galena, Kellar could not keep from writing, even waking up at night with words to save. In addition to words, getting involved with Safe Haven… Continue reading Barb Kellar

Michalik helped students learn about patterns, series, and numerical relationships during her years as middle school math teacher. She uses her mathematical skill of sequences and series, along with her talent for selecting medium and embellishment, to create each unique basket. For two decades, Michalik has used her skills and creativity to weave baskets. She… Continue reading Sandy Michalik

European architecture and Southwest landscapes have inspired Hundrieser’s work. Now, he enjoys capturing scenes of northwest Illinois, like the Old Rock House near Galena. Hundrieser handles each step of the creative process. He picks the right subject in the right light, processes the image in Photoshop, and prints the piece up to a 13”x19” size.… Continue reading John Hundrieser

Jeanette Muller was born on a dairy farm and raised around wild and domestic animals, often taking care of the animals on her family’s farm. Her love of animals spurred her on to get a bachelor’s degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology from Iowa State University. Additionally, for 15 years, she performed invasive species control,… Continue reading Jeanette Muller

Classic, yet distinctively different, is a good description for the art work of Karen Stockwell. Her formal education, a BA in Art Education and MA in Modern Art History, combined with a playful passion for discovery, makes the appeal of her art and writings understandable. In her wearable and functional art, Stockwell uses a collage… Continue reading Karen Stockwell

Valerie Stuermer-Walker is a fiber artist who primarily styles denim jackets into vibrantly themed, wearable works of art.

Servin is a photographer, painter and illustrator, who spent a lot of her childhood drawing for and taking photos of her family. Now, she has a bachelor’s degree in art and takes classes at art centers. Servin’s innate and cultivated “good eye for art” enables her to find the beauty in “…what God has given… Continue reading Lorlee Servin

Pat Harte-Naus is both an author and a history buff, a great combination which inspired her book series, the Beldon Boys. Her books were based off of interviews she’d done with the students of Beldon as well as journals found by a farmer from before the restoration project began.