2024 Artist Statements

Artist Statements

Formats

Artists statements are available in multiple formats to increase accessibility of the material. You can view the statements on this webpage below, as downloadable Word documents in English or Spanish, or listen in audio format in English or Spanish.

Listen to the compilation of artist statement in English

Escuche la recopilación de declaraciones del artista en español

Evelyn Becker, Sun Prairie

As long as I can remember, I have loved color and mathematics. When I lost my sight 35 years ago, I thought I did not realize how much potential I still had.


I had thought of myself as a maker. I did needlepoint, counted cross stitch, and crewel embroidery. As a young family and strapped for money, I went to classes and learned to sew clothes for my two girls and eventually made two suits for my salesman husband (one plaid and the other gray). I went to school and learned how to ‘make’ computer programs.


One of the last colorful things that I sought was a huge Maple tree dressed in its Fall colors and thought how I would miss it. You do not lose those memories. I can still see that tree.


Color is still a large part of my life. Luckily, I have two daughters who have been able to associate new items by referring to my memories. This ability to understand color and how each relates has been highly beneficial.


I love blue. I have to work hard to purchase clothes which are not blue. So, after making several afghans for my family, I tried the first one which I submitted a few years ago. It was picked for display. Last year, I started and finished this blue afghan. At first, I used a Braille labeler to put descriptions on Ziploc plastic bags. My Braille skills are woeful and I have not been able to get past grade 1. Luckily, the Pen friend and its subsequent copies were invented. Now, I use the Pen Friend to label all my life. I have several friends who describe colors with many Q&A sessions to establish a continuity of understanding.


Crocheting has been a saving grace. I do not need to have 2 needles cross correctly, just one hook and my ability for mathematics. There is a lot of counting between color changes and increasing stitch count correctly. If I miss a stitch or combine one accidentally, I only need to tear out one small section.

Listen to Evelyn's artist statement

Declaración del artista en español

Escuche la declaración artística de Evelyn Becker

Richard Berkholtz, Madison

I make my own firestarters independently using adaptive equipment and natural materials. Over the last 7 years, I have developed my own process to design, manufacture, package, and sell my firestarters.

Before I lost my sight I enjoyed working with metal to make sculptures and creations for friends and family. I have always had a creative side, so after my accident, it was a natural progression into my art practice today. I make masks out of clay as well as vessels big and small.

I incorporate textures in my ceramic work and continue to investigate ways to add tactile design elements. I enjoy the works of art that I continue to create. My art and my business are important to me because they make other people smile. Family, friends, and the community are the most important things to me.

Listen to Richard's artist statement

Declaración del artista en español

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Illana Dehoyos, Madison

Since I was a kid, I have always loved art and as I got older, I got interested in photography as well. Both have been a part of my life for a long time and although I struggle with drawing certain things or capturing certain things on camera, I still try and don’t give up. My vision impairment is something I was born with and because of it, I was and still am restricted from doing a lot of things, but with art and photography, I’m not restricted from doing those things at all. I can show those around me how the world looks from my perspective as a visually impaired person.

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Declaración del artista en español

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Rosemary Fortney, Milwaukee

As I was pondering the meaning of life as a mother of a young daughter with brain cancer, this is the result created with acrylics, alcohol inks, fiber and gold seed beads. The “Dance of Womanhood” began as a very organic trailing string of fiber loosely traveling up and down the canvas. Feminine figures, such as a young girl happily skipping in her dress, a single young woman with a cat perched upon her shoulder, and a very maternal figure…all stages of womanhood dancing among the earthy green ferns to the spritely, winged little girl-muse leading them in the dance of life. As she plays her fiddle, the musical notes float above the path toward the yellow sun.

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Declaración del artista en español

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Duncan Hamilton, Verona

Duncan has been an amateur artist all his life. About ten years ago his eyesight began to be seriously affected by macular degeneration and the VA furnished him with a table-mounted 5” lens-lamp. He also received a gift of a new set of oil pastels with a pad of good quality paper, and began to make abstract designs. He says that when he is busy with the colors “whatever difficulties life may confront me with all disappear for the time being.” He also notes that “art of any kind is genuine freedom and I recommend it wholeheartedly to one and all.”

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Declaración del artista en español

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Janae O'Connell, Waterloo

I am a late starter and only discovered the wonderful world of oil painting by happenstance. I restored an oil painting my grandfather painted long before I was born. I found so much joy in it that I taught myself to paint by watching Bob Ross and other artists to learn some basic techniques and went from there. I love the beauty of nature so I gravitate towards landscapes and gave a special affinity for lighthouses and mountains. I take inspiration from travels or photos and make them my own.

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Declaración del artista en español

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Lynn Olson, Madison

An active artist/maker throughout her lifetime, Lynn works in several mediums, including painting, illustration, quilting, and mosaics. After a career spent promoting sustainable food, a determination of legal blindness has provided a rare opportunity to live a life devoted to her art. Lynn uses a technique that tells a story about her visual perception of the world around her; ‘round pixels’ have been used in her works for over 20 years.

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Declaración del artista en español

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Albert Schmiege, Slinger

Albert D. Schmiege is a Wisconsin artist who has been legally blind since 1992, due to macular degeneration. Despite having no central vision, poor depth perception, and color blindness, Schmiege has been able to capture on canvas his interpretation of the world. He uses a combination of techniques, brush strokes, and color to create the illusion of detail and depth, usually working in oils. “I believe that blindness does not limit, but rather enhances the creative process.”

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Declaración del artista en español

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Nicole Wolf, Janesville

I have enjoyed taking photos since high school, and 30 years later I still enjoy taking pictures as hobby I do for myself that I like to share with others, taking pictures of flowers and colorful things. A little color can brighten anyone’s day. I look at photos on my computer to see the things I miss like bees and butterflies while taking pictures.

Listen to Nicole's artist statement

Declaración del artista en español

Escuche la declaración artística de Nicole Wolf