Sharon’s lifelong interest in fibers and fabrics began in a very common way --- learning various kinds of needlework from the women in her family. She also explored other media to express herself artistically but was always drawn back to the fiber arts. In high school, she found art and science equally fascinating. Sharon began college as a science major but chose to finish as an art major, graduating in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science degree in art education from the University of Dayton.

After graduation, Sharon taught Junior High art in a public school for 13 years. During these years she developed an in-depth unit in mask making that culminated in an exhibit at the University of Dayton Library Art Gallery. She also made masks of her own and costumes to go with them.

While teaching, Sharon earned her masters degree in Art Education from Wright State University, with a studio major in fibers and fabrics (1981). At Miami University Sharon took a drawing class from Michael James. She was subsequently exposed to the Art Quilt Movement, and discovered an art form where a variety of different fiber techniques could be used in one piece. This was a revelation, and it changed her life. From then on Sharon began to create art quilts using fabrics she created.

During the 1990’s at the Quilt/Surface Design Symposium, Sharon took additional graduate level courses in surface design and art quilt techniques. She made art quilts and exhibited in numerous shows. She also founded the Miami Valley Art Quilt Network --- an organization whose mission is to promote art quilting through the support of individual members creative efforts. The group also sponsored exhibits and educational opportunities for the group and the community. One of these community events was an international juried art quilt exhibit held at Aullwood Audubon Center in Dayton, Ohio. Sharon served as the curator of this exhibit from 1993 to 2003.

In 2001 Sharon was asked to design costumes for an annual children's ballet performance. She accepted and has since developed a love for creating dance and theater costumes. Most of her creative time is now spent working with various dance programs designing and supervising the production of performance costumes.
Sharon's family (L to R, husband Bob, daughter Krista, son Alex, and Sharon),
Sharon's studio, Sharon at work, and Sharon's Mom, who has consistantly encouraged
and supported her creative efforts, even before she could remember.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Owner of The Spiders Threads, a small business selling one-of-a-kind hand dyed garments.

ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

Costume Production - Miss Camille’s Dance Program, annual spring performance. Collaborate with the director/chorographer and composer to design and construct costumes and accessories for dancers age four to age seventeen. From 2000 to the present.

Town Hall Theater - production of "Island of the Blue Dolphins"; designed and built masks headpieces and co-designed costumes, 2006.

Dayton Ballet - senior company spring performance, 2004.

ART TEACHER

Mask Workshop - “Island of the Blue Dolphins”, Town Hall Theater, 2006.
Batik Workshop - Aullwood Audubon Center, 2003
Mask Class - Rosewood Art Center, 1994,1995
Drawing Class- Oakwood Recreation Center, 1995

VISUAL ART TEACHER

1977-1992 Bellbrook Junior High School, Bellbrook Ohio.

EDUCATION

Wright State University, Dayton, OH, Masters of Education-Studio Major Fibers and Fabrics, 1981
University of Dayton, Dayton, OH, Bachelor of Science-Art Education, 1977

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Post Graduate course work in the field of Surface Design (3-4 classes per year)

Nancy Crowe’s Timber Barn, Baltimore Ohio, 2005
Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 1991-2004
Ohio University, Athens, Ohio 2000
Miami University, Oxford, Ohio 1982-1989

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

Founder of the Miami Valley Art Quilt Network.

Curator of an International Juried Art quilt Exhibit, “Interrelationships Naturally”, held at the Aullwood Audubon Center annually 1993-2002.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

Art Quilt Network
Dayton Visual Art Association
Dyers List
Miami Vallery Art Quilt Network
Studio Art Quilt Association
Surface Design Association

PUBLICATIONS

Art To Wear Magazine, "Belle Amorie", Autumn, 2004
Miss Camille's Dance Program - Oakwood Community Center

Market-O-Matic
Tired of racking your brain trying to squeeze out of yet another artist's statement extolling the unique virtues of your latest art? At Market-O-Matic, you can simply fill in the blanks, hit the "Crank Out the Crap" button, and email the results to your nearest art exhibit gallery.

My Tiny Garden - an interesting insect site

Secret Worlds: The Universe Within

Astronomy Picture of the Day Archive
(checkout the nebula shots)