Joan Bonnette: Artist Feature

The South Haven Center for the Arts is, once again, pleased to showcase one of its many outstanding members.  We would like you to meet Joan Bonnette.

Two photos of Joan Bonnette standing next to her painting display

Joan Bonnette grew up in nearby Holland and graduated from Hope College majoring in English, art and philosophy.  She later earned a K-12 teaching degree at Michigan State University. She went on to earn a Master of Arts degree at Eastern Michigan University and a Master of fine Arts (MFA) degree from Western Michigan University. While at WMU, she met two people who are of great importance to her, first as WMU faculty and then as friends: long-time SHCA members Lou and Linda Rizzolo. 

Lou Rizzolo offered his MFA students the opportunity to attend several 14-day workshops abroad.  Not only did Joan earn class credits for these workshops, but also gained wonderful exposure to art in Norway, France and Austria  When the foreign workshops were dropped at WMU, she attended workshops with the Rizzolos at their place in the Glenn area, concentrating on watercolor and mixed media work.

Joan considers herself to be a Michigan Artist, but has exhibited outside the state as well.  She is a self-described “Abstract Imagist”, symbolic images expressed using multi-media, watercolor and collage.  Many of her more recent pieces feature organic materials found along the shores of Lake Michigan.  Among other highlights in her career, she received an Honorable Mention at the International Society of Experimental Artists exhibition in Lowell, MI.  More recently, Joan is rightfully proud of her Endura World Spirals, one called Pisces which has been shown at the SHCA and the Maritime Museum and the Butterflies Spiral that has graced over 35 locations, embodying diversity, tolerance and acceptance.

On a personal note, Joan has two adult children and one grandchild. She takes pleasure from music and her gardening and finds inspiration and energy from diversity in her choice of media.  She has been a contributing artist member of the SHCA since 1998 and has served on the Board as a member and President.  She also served as Volunteer Exhibitions Coordinator.  The Scott Club in South Haven has also benefited from her involvement as a Board member and President.

Her advice to aspiring artists:  Practice and Experiment, choosing materials and themes that tell your story.  Avoid work that is “cute, sentimental, copying others or trite”.

Add-on: The family of the late Bob Battles has made his workshop into a gallery calling it The Blue Star Collective Gallery, opening soon. Joan's work will be represented and an August exhibition dedicated to her work is planned. If you'd like to reach out to Joan  her email address is as follows: joanebon@i2k.com

By Carol Trittschuh

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