Anthony Wayne Area Arts Commission Local A.W. Artists' spotl

  Brian Lonsway was a prominent glass artist in Waterville, recognized for renovating the historic Wabash Tavern on Second Street and establishing his studio on the premises. As an early member of Toledo’s Studio Glass movement, Lonsway was known for innovative techniques that merged traditional glassblowing with contemporary artistic concepts. His work encompassed both functional and sculptural pieces, distinguished by their emphasis on color, form and texture, and often inspired by natural and environmental themes. Lonsway received national recognition for his sculptures and medallions, created ceremonial glass “keys to the city” for Toledo and in 1995, one of his pieces was sent into space aboard the Space Shuttle.

  George Carruth is an American sculptor known for his whimsical sculptures and garden art. His work often features animals, nature themes, and humorous elements. The wonderful designs created by George are cast at Carruth Studio in Waterville. They make affordable art for all to enjoy.

Deborah Carruth, George’s wife, recognized the beauty and mass appeal of his designs. Deb entered George’s sculptures at local art shows where they received awards. In 1983 George and his wife opened Carruth Studio and in 1996 they added a garden gift shop in Waterville. They employed 30 local people. 

George’s work continued to gain notoriety and soon high-profile commissions such as the White House Christmas tree ornament and several pieces for the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. began. The Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of The Unknown Soldier commissioned Carruth Studio to create the marker for the Never Forget Garden initiative in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier. 

George retired in 2020, but Carruth Studio continues to sell his amazing work. The store location shares the same property as Carruth Studio at 1178 Farnsworth Rd. in Waterville, OH.

Wil Clay was a graphic designer, illustrator, painter, sculptor and storyteller. He studied art at The American Academy of Art in Chicago and the Vesper George School of Art in Boston and University of Toledo in Ohio. Wil was self-employed, having owned his own art and graphic design business. In 1988, he opened his studio at the Common Space Center for Creativity, where he also taught figure drawing. Among Wil's successes was Radiance, a six-foot bronze and stainless-steel sculpture that honors the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Wil was a primary designer and sculptor of the work. The work was dedicated in downtown Toledo in September, 1989. In 1993, Wil's book, Little Eight John received the Coretta Scott King Honor Award for Illustration. During the school year Wil Clay enjoyed visiting elementary schools, libraries, colleges and professional organizations. 

  Jack Schultz is a fine art photographer from Waterville Ohio.  He has always had a fascination 

and love of photography and in his retirement it has been a major component of his life and 

time.  Jack feels that his photography is a way to capture the amazing world around us. He 

strives to find the hidden details of often overlooked beauty and capture it forever.

Nature and wildlife in our area simply amazes him every time he picks up his camera and 

heads out in the morning to witness a glorious sunrise and a new day. The fact that other 

people enjoy his photography and love to share in that joy is truly an unexpected bonus to

him. His favorite subjects are flowers, nature, landscapes and travel. Jack and his wife Karen 

keep busy doing art festivals each summer, enjoying time with their grandkids and family, 

gardening and traveling.

He is very excited to have a large sample of his photography on display at the brand new 

Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (University Hospital) in Columbus Ohio that will 

open in February of 2026. His photography is also on display in many businesses and 

professional buildings and on the cover of the best-selling paperback “The Best Minds” by 

Jonathan Rosen. More than 14,000 images are enjoyed worldwide through his online 

business at: jack-schultz.pixels.com.

  Dean Davis is a Toledo–based muralist and artist known for large-scale public art that blends storytelling and bold visual perspective. His work transforms everyday spaces into meaningful shared experiences. His murals are designed not only to be seen, but to be felt; inviting viewers to pause, reflect and engage.

Dean is the founder of River Gallery Studio, an artist-led initiative dedicated to creating sustainable pathways for artists to stay, grow, and thrive in Toledo. Through this work, he has expanded opportunities for public art while mentoring emerging youth.

His impact continues to grow through the 100 Works of Art initiative, a long-term effort to install murals throughout Toledo and Lucas County, alongside Keep Lucas County / Toledo Beautiful. Dean’s work can be found across the region, contributing to the cultural landscape and shaping how residents and visitors experience the city.

  Artist Jessica Galbreth-Masiker has been a resident of Waterville and a professional artist for more than 20 years. Jessica has concentrated on painting angels and fairies with her originals being licensed for figurines, collectibles, calendars and greeting cards over the years. In addition to drawing and painting, she creates Victorian replica jewelry and altered art bottles, sending them off to customers all over the world.

  Teri Utz Bersée is a contemporary American painter who has honed her observational and artistic skills from early childhood, with the advantage of farm life along the Maumee River in Waterville Twp. She is passionate about nature (the rural landscape specifically) and portraiture of humans and animals. Whether she uses a more simplified abstract approach or leans to impressionistic realism, she works primarily in oils and soft pastels. Her work has won many awards over the years, having been juried by prominent artists into national, regional and local competitions. One of her commissioned figurative works is in the permanent collection at the Maximilian Kolbe Shrine museum outside Chicago IL. She is represented by 3 regional galleries. In past years, Teri has donated time and artwork for many charitable organizations including Nature’s Nursery & Waterville Chamber of Commerce, and has helped with others including the Anthony Wayne Area Arts Commission. While she continues to teach art classes and take to the back roads for plein air painting, she wholeheartedly admits she will always experiment for personal artistic growth…so, the learning never ends.

  Sue Ann Ladd received a Bachelor of Art Education from Ohio University and a Masters of Art Education in 1993. She dedicated 32 years to teaching secondary art within The Anthony Wayne School District, striving to develop the artistic talents and historical appreciation of countless students during her tenure. In addition, she taught at the University of Toledo for nine years. She continued painting and exhibiting throughout these years with OAEA, the Toledo Museum Community Gallery, local Toledo galleries, and Athena Art Society. Reflecting on her career, she expressed deep gratitude for her years as an art educator at Anthony Wayne, cherishing the memories and experiences she gained. She feels privileged to witness the achievements of AW graduates who have pursued careers in the arts and continue to advocate for the value of art in society.

  Jenn Deca is a small-batch potter and ceramics educator from Whitehouse, Ohio where she currently resides. She has been making pots for over 20 years and teaching community ceramics classes at Owens Community College for more than a decade. Jenn holds a BFA from BGSU and a post-baccalaureate certificate from Penn State University.

Her work is inspired by daily life in the Oak Openings Region, a love of nostalgia, and a deep appreciation for vintage, thrifted, and found objects. Living in an 1887 hand-hewn log home that seems to attract as many critters as curiosities, Jenn jokes that her house is a living, breathing entity—and many of it's stories, quirks, and well-loved details find their way onto her pots, often with a bit of humor.

  Teri D. Lee is a local self-taught artist living in Whitehouse. Her journey began in middle school sketching cartoons and magazine images, and evolved into a love for detailed landscapes, flowers, and wildlife. She dabbles in a delightful mix of mediums –acrylics, oils, pastels, colored pencils, and pastels—choosing the one that sings the loudest for each subject. Her style? A medley of eclectic tastes from abstract to detailed.

Teri is an active member of the Toledo Artist Club and has received several awards over the past few years, including Peoples Choice, Honorable Mention and most recently first place in the Unbound: “The Artists’ Vision” show. She has actively participated in the Undisclosedfundraising event for the Toledo School of Art, recently being awarded the Porter’s Choice Award in 2025.

Teri works in her home studio whenever possible and maintains an online gallery at www.rcstudio55.comand has artwork on display at Adventure Spirits Distilling in Whitehouse.

  Sarah J. Vanni is a 2D artist and licensed art educator based in Waterville, Ohio. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drawing from Bowling Green State University, a post-baccalaureate certificate in Painting from Studio Arts Center International, and a Master’s in Teaching Art Education from the University of the Arts, she brings a rich and diverse background to her creative practice.

Vanni’s work is rooted in a love for color, rhythm, and the natural world. Inspired by everyday life and her travels—including her role as vice president of her husband’s travel business, Undiscovered Tuscany—her vibrant, nature-inspired pieces flow intuitively like imagined gardens. Each artwork is a joyful exploration of repetition and movement, intended to spark a sense of wonder and beauty in the viewer.

A mother of two daughters, Vanni balances her professional and creative life with deep passion, continuously exploring new ways to express her vision through art.

  Tina Tagle is a Northwest Ohio–based artist, arts educator, and creative entrepreneur dedicated to making art accessible, joyful, and confidence-building for people of all ages. She is the Owner and Founder of The Color of Fun and The Color of Fun Online, where she provides step-by-step painting instruction through public events, private parties, and community programs, both in person and online. Her studio, located on Weckerly Road in Whitehouse, Ohio, also serves as a welcoming creative space where she hosts paint party events for the community.

Tina is also a Partner and Lead Marketing Creative for Seven Sisters Boutique and has served as Vice President of the nonprofit Organization of Latino Artists, reflecting her long-standing commitment to cultural advocacy and community engagement through the arts. In 2025, she created and helped launch the first Annual Studio Hop in the Anthony Wayne area, bringing together local artists and studios to celebrate creativity and strengthen regional arts connections.

  Deborah Reimond is a Waterville, Ohio based fluid artist, known for turning paint, resin and flowers into stunning works of functional art and home decor.

From a young age, she always felt a strong pull toward the arts and the need to express herself creatively. Exploring a wide variety of mediums, it is fluid art that has captured her soul, leading to the creation of "Pour Soul Art" in 2023.

She is a member of the Toledo Craftsmen's Guild, and her art is featured at Thrifty Hippie Gift Shop in Maumee.

She participates in many local festivals and takes great pride in contributions to our outstanding local artist community.

  Asa Danekind- Musician, Actor, Visual Artist, Sound Engineer based in Ohio with 30 years experience across the country. Original songwriter with nerve and a passion for expression and performance. Formerly of the Toledo area four piece acoustic act "Three Two Many", Asa also hosts Open Mic Night at the infamous Village Idiot in Maumee on Sunday nights as well as several acoustic jam sessions on Saturday afternoons at Buffalo Rock Brewing Bayside in Oregon and the Riverside BBQ Company downtown Toledo.

  RiverFront Studios - Michael and Claire Puppos are a husband-and-wife team who have been passionate about sharing their love for the arts with the Waterville community since 2021. With the support of their incredible team, they create welcoming opportunities for people of all ages to explore creativity, build skills, and gain confidence through both visual and musical arts.

RiverFront Studios offers music lessons in piano, voice, violin, viola, guitar, saxophone, flute, and clarinet, along with a wide variety of art classes and mediums including acrylic, watercolor, oil paint, pastels, drawing, colored pencil, sculpture, papier-mâché, wire art, collage, mixed media, clay, and much more.

Whether families are looking for a fun and enriching hobby for their children, or adults are hoping to try something new, Michael and Claire are dedicated to supporting artistic growth at every stage. They look forward to continuing to serve—and connect with—families through the arts in Waterville.

    Julie Verhelst is an area fiber artist. Her original education and career was in commercial graphic design. After moving to a rural property and starting an alpaca farm, she became interested in fiber arts. Knitting and crochet weren't quite her thing, as she liked more color and organic texture. Needle felting became her favorite fiber arts technique.

     In 2016, Julie invested in a FeltLOOM, which is a machine with 288 felting needles. It has afforded her the opportunity to create felted pieces, focusing on the design rather than the tedious hand felting process. Her creations range from one of a kind scarfs, two dimensional artwork, to utilitarian boot insoles and rugs, all made out of alpaca fiber.

     Julie's art can be seen and purchased at her fiber studio on the farm, visited by appointment. She also offers private and group needle felting classes in the studio where a visit with an alpaca is always an added bit of inspiration.

   M.  Dave Myerholtz spent 39 years in the engineering field beginning as a board drafter and a designer of high pressure steam piping systems. As retirement approached, he began his pursuit of a lifetime interest in art.   Dave’s first attempt at art was drawing a pen and ink Christmas card in 1997. For the next few years, Dave produced one pen and ink Christmas cards every Christmas until 2010 when the first watercolor card was produced. Dave doing the artwork and his wife Nancy writing the verse and sometimes, a history of the card. To date there have been 30 Christmas cards shared with  family and friends.   Dave began to explore water color painting by taking a beginning watercolor class with Paul Brand at the Toledo Museum of Art. Additional classes were taken at the museum with Paul Brand, John Trumbull, and Walter Chapmen. Dave also had individual lessons with Larry Golba, and Jim Marsh which have contributed to his development in the watercolor media. Dave  continues to explore the various aspects of watercolor and pen and ink to find his own voice in artistic expression.  Dave works mainly in landscapes and flowers, and has sold a few paintings over the years, but mostly he enjoys giving paintings to family and friends and painting cards for family birthdays and special events.  At one point Dave was invited to join the Monday Morning Painters at the Toledo Artist Club.  This group was formed originally in 1959 and over the years met every Monday morning for breakfast and then went somewhere to paint. They paint plein air in the warm months and at the Toledo Artist Club during the winter months.  Dave is a member of the Toledo Artist Club and has been a member of the Monday Morning  Painter Group for over 30 years.