Marianne Graff
The PebbleCreek Art Club is very proud to award Charlene Romanos Artist of the Year for 2018. She has been the subject of a number of features, articles and awards in her many-faceted creative existence. For example: in March of 2014, Linda Lewis detailed Charlene’s background and creative endeavors in an article featuring her as PebbleCreek Artist of the Month. According to Linda, Charlene not only operated a boutique in Maine, but also supplied most of the handcrafted jewelry and accessories sold in that establishment. Other projects included: opening a cooking and cleaning company and working for a local legal firm. Charlene pursued an arts education in several places, among them Silvermine Art School in Connecticut where she studied jewelry composition and in Maine, Heartwood College of Art in Kennebunkport and the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in Deer Isle. In that article, Charlene noted that she was always interested in some form of creative expression: jewelry design, painting, journaling, pen and ink and colored pencil, but above all, considers herself a collage artist.
Charlene’s collages are indeed spectacular—with their vivid color combinations, thought-provoking design and creative incorporation of found and recycled objects. She inspires us not only with her art pieces, but also by challenging us in our preparations for art shows to find ways to use found and recycled materials in a variety of art projects. Charlene is also an accomplished jewelry designer and painter. Because of the excellence of her work, she has been featured in magazine and newspaper articles. As Artist of the Month her jewelry has been on display in the Creative Arts Center and elsewhere and her paintings have hung in clubhouse exhibits. She has won multiple awards in our art shows; chosen in several as People’s Choice and awarded many ribbons. She has exhibited for the City of Goodyear, in Sedona, and with a group called 10 Fine Artists as Artist-in-Residence at the Wigwam Resort in Litchfield Park.
Charlene has made many valuable contributions to the PebbleCreek community and specifically to the Art Club. She has served on various committees and as Chair for the Art Club Art Walk creating new categories of participation to the delight of members. She has offered motivating classes and workshops in jewelry making and collage. In the words of one supporter, “Her work is creative and innovative. She has taught a variety of classes and is always encouraging people to think outside the box.” She has served as Art Club President for the last two years and oversaw club growth to nearly 200 members during her tenure. The Art Club greatly appreciates all the hard work, inventive ideas and mentoring that has occurred on Charlene’s watch. We wish her every success in all her future endeavors.
The artwork of Charlene Romanos will be featured throughout February in the Creative Arts Center. You are invited to visit and enjoy the exhibit and understand why she has been chosen as Artist of the Year.