Bridges

An Artist’s Statement
Denise Presnell-Weidner

Bridge: A structure built over a depression or obstacle for use as a passageway.
Bridges have been a part of my life from the time I was born. My father built many a bridge as a road construction worker and eventually foreman from the time I was born. My entire early life was spent following the construction of
bridges across Nebraska’s highways. Even as a child, the most memorable adventures I spent with my mother, who would take us girls, and eventually my brother many years later — for a trip to explore the banks of the Little Blue River, would be spent climbing beneath bridges with the chance of finding an arrowhead or two. That experience permeated my visual world and returns to me now as an opportunity to explore that form as a venue to new experiences.

I have spent a great deal of the past many years creating paintings or pastels of the Sheboygan or Pigeon Rivers near my home. Having devoted my imagery to images of pure nature — I ignored all man made structures, whether they be bridges or buildings. There were times I used the framing of a bridge like a viewfinder to frame my composition — but I would never include the structure itself. A couple of years ago I was drawn to bringing that geometric form inside my picture frame. The juxtaposition of the man made with nature seemed a natural for me. Just including an edge of a bridge felt like a breath of fresh air for me as an artist. The bridge was becoming that opportunity for change that reinvigorates an artist long since stuck in a quagmire of repetitive images. Having spent at least a dozen years avoiding geometry, contrast and spatial depth, the inclusion of this geometric form gave me an opportunity to also return to the joy of painting flat planes. I had forgotten how pleasurable it was to drag a brush across the surface of the canvas, changing the color and value slowly. I had become simply tired of covering my canvases with splashes and dabs of paint even though I knew this was what was expected of me by now. I knew I needed a change but I wasn’t quite sure how far to look for something new in my work. The bridge form literally and figuratively facilitated that change. As the definition above suggests, I discovered a passageway to change in my work, overcoming an obstacle of expectation.

Denise Presnell-Weidner

Education
M.F.A. - Painting and Drawing Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 1985
B.F.A. - Printmaking University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, 1981

Gallery Representation
Mary Bell Galleries, Chicago, IL
Nina Blease Gallery, Minneapolis, MN
Grace Chosy Gallery, Madison, WI
Katie Gingrass Gallery, Milwaukee, WI
Two Fish Gallery, Elkhart Lake, WI

Teaching Experience
1989–– Present Associate Professor of Art; Lakeland College, Sheboygan, WI
1988 - 1989 Assistant Professor of Art; Louisiana State University- Shreveport
1986 - 1988 Instructor of Art; Benedictine College; Atchison, KS
1985 - 1986 Artist-in-Residence; Keystone Junior College, LaPlume, PA
1983 - 1985 Graduate Teaching Assistantship; Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA

International Recognition & Opportunities
2003 ““Sheboygan River Reflections”” purchased and presented by the President of Lakeland College to the President of Shanghai Finance College, Shanghai, China.
1999 - 2003 Art in Embassies Program of the U.S. Department of State U.S. Ambassadorial Residence; Nairobi, Kenya, U.S. Ambassadorial Residence: Gaborone, Botswana
1997 - Present Exhibitions & Gallery Representation, Space N’s Gallery, Tachikawa City, Tokyo, Japan

Awards
2006 Award of Merit; “Agrarian Views”; Gallery 110 North; Plymouth Arts Foundation Plymouth, WI
2005 Award of Excellence; ““Mighty Midwest Biennial III””; New Visions Gallery; Marshfield, WI
Award of Merit; “Alive in the Arts - A Joan Kohn Juried
Exhibition”
Gallery 110 North; Plymouth Arts Foundation, Plymouth, WI
2004 Percent for Art Direct Purchase Program Award, Wisconsin Arts Board, Madison, WI
2003 Award of Merit; “Alive in the Arts - A Joan Kohn Juried Exhibition”
Gallery 110 North; Plymouth Arts Foundation, Plymouth, WI
1998 Percent for Art Direct Purchase Program Award, Wisconsin Arts Board, Madison, WI
Sabbatical; Lakeland College, Sheboygan, WI
First Place; “Not Only Badgers, Packers and Cows”, Gallery 110 North, Plymouth Arts Foundation; Plymouth, WI1992 Juror’’s Mention; Kansas 17th National Small Painting, Drawing and Print Exhibition; Fort Hays State University; Fort Hays, KS
1983 2nd Place; GALEX 17 Annual International Competitive Exhibition; Galesburg Civic Art Center; Galesburg, IL
1981 Thomas Coleman Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Area of Printmaking University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE
Juror’s Choice Award; Nebraska Wesleyan University’s “Fred Wells 6” Nebraska Wesleyan University; Lincoln, NE
Purchase Award; Nebraska Wesleyan University’’s “Fred Wells” Nebraska Wesleyan University; Lincoln, NE
Purchase Award; ANAC - 1st Annual Competitive “Nebraska Reflections 81” Hastings College Art Gallery; Hastings, NE

Selected Permanent Collections
Shanghai Finance College; Shanghai, China
The Concourse Hotel; Madison, WI
Dept. of Administration––WI Rapids State Office Building; Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Northern Trust Bank: Milwaukee, WI
Johnson Wax Corporation; Racine, WI
Private Bank; St. Charles, IL
Waukesha Memorial Hospital; Waukesha, WI
Medical Society of Wisconsin/SMS Foundation, Inc.; Madison, WI
Weidner Center for the Performing Arts, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company; Milwaukee, WI
WEA Insurance Group; Madison, WI
Bemis Manufacturing Corporation; Sheboygan Falls, WI
University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE
Tarkio College; Tarkio, MO
Wesleyan University, Lincoln, NE
John Esch Library, Lakeland College, Sheboygan, WI
Hastings State Bank; Hastings, NE
Dr. Stephen Gould, President’’s Residence, Lakeland College, Sheboygan, W
Numerous Corporate & Private Collections, United States, Africa & Japan

Solo Exhibitions
2007 Grace Chosy Gallery, ”Bridges”, Madison WI
Frehner Gallery, Monroe Arts Center, Monroe, WI
2004 Bradley Gallery of Art, “Self-Endeavors”, Lakeland College, Sheboygan, WI
Douglas-Baker Gallery, Minneapolis, MN
Gallery 110 North, Plymouth Arts Association, Plymouth, WI
2001 Featured Artist Exhibit; Edgewood Orchard Galleries, Fish Creek, WI
2000 Center for the Visual Arts; Wausau, WI
1998 The Neville Public Museum of Brown County; Green Bay, WI
Center Gallery; St. Mary’’s University, Winona, MN
GEF-1 Office Building Main Gallery; Department of Workforce Development Madison, WI
1995 Humanities Fine Arts Center Gallery; University of Minnesota-Morris
Suzanne Kohn Gallery; International Design Center; Minneapolis, MN
1994 University of Wisconsin Center- Manitowoc County Campus; Fine Arts Gallery
DeRicci Gallery; Edgewood College, Madison, WI
1993 University of Wisconsin - Sheboygan Center; Sheboygan, WI
1990 Carleton College; Northfield, MN
1989 Turner Art Center; Centenary College; Shreveport, LA
Louisiana State University-Shreveport; Shreveport, LA
1987 The Studio Art Gallery; Tarkio College, Tarkio, MO
1985 Ford Hall Gallery; Mercersburg Academy; Mercersburg, PA
1984 Pattee Library Gallery; Pennsylvania State University; University Park
1982 The Unitarian Church Gallery; Lincoln, NE

Two-Person/Group And Invitational Exhibitions
2007 Faculty Art Exhibition; Bradley Gallery; Lakeland College, Sheboygan, WI
2006 One and Only; Artspace; Kohler, WI
Drawn In; Miller Museum of Art; Sturgeon Bay, WI
Holiday Membership Exhibition; Gallery 110 North; Plymouth, WI
2005 One and Only; Artspace; Kohler, WI
Into the Woods; Edgewood Orchard Galleries; Fish Creek, WI
2004 Landscape; Mary Bell Galleries; Chicago, IL
Gallery Artists Summer Exhibition; Katie Gingrass Gallery; Milwaukee, WI
2003 WISCONSIN Landscape; Foster Gallery; University of Wisconsin –– Eau Claire
2002 Faculty Art Exhibition; Bradley Gallery; Lakeland College, Sheboygan, WI
2001 Faculty Art Exhibition; Bradley Gallery; Lakeland College, Sheboygan, WI
River Arts Center Gallery, Prairie du Sac, WI
2000 Three Person Exhibition; Grace Chosy Gallery, Madison, WI
1999 Two Person Exhibition; West Bend Art Museum, West Bend, WI
Group Pastel Exhibition; Katie Gingrass Gallery, Milwaukee, WI
Faculty Art Exhibition; Bradley Gallery; Lakeland College, Sheboygan, WI
1998 Two Person Exhibition; Grace Chosy Gallery, Madison, WI
Two Person Exhibition; Marian Gallery, Mount Mary College, Milwaukee,WI
1997 Faculty Exhibition; Bradley Gallery of Art, Lakeland College, Sheboygan, WI
Group Exhibition - 4 Gallery Artists; Mary Bell Galleries, Chicago, IL
Two Person Exhibition; Space N’s Gallery; Tachikawa, Tokyo, Japan

“Essence of Place” - Two Person Exhibition; Hennepin County Oxboro Library Bloomington, MN
“Shaping the Vision: Six Current Views”; Minnetonka Center for the Arts, Wayzata, MN
1996 Faculty Art Exhibition; Bradley Gallery; Lakeland College; Sheboygan, WI
“Winter Show 1996”; Bridge Square Gallery; Northfield, MN
1995 Two Person Exhibition; Grace Chosy Gallery; Madison, WI
Summer Show; Bridge Square Gallery; Northfield. MN
“Winter Show”, Works from Local and Regional Artists; Bridge Square Gallery Northfield, MN
Faculty Art Exhibition; Bradley Art Gallery; Lakeland College; Sheboygan, WI
1993 The Thomas P. Coleman Memorial Collection Award Winners; The Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE1992 Faculty Art Exhibition: Bradley Art Gallery; Lakeland College, Sheboygan,WI
Annual Christmas Exhibition; Grace Chosy Gallery; Madison, WI
1991 ““Windows”” - A Group Invitational Exhibition; Grace Chosy Gallery, Madison, WI
Faculty Art Exhibition; Bradley Art Gallery; Lakeland College; Sheboygan,WI
1990 Annual Christmas Exhibition; Grace Chosy Gallery Madison, WI
Gallery Artists; MC Gallery; Minneapolis, MN
1989 Faculty Art Exhibition; Bradley Art Gallery; Lakeland College; Sheboygan,WI
1988 Two-Person Exhibition; Hastings College Art Gallery; Hastings, NE
1987 The Riverbend Art Festival; Atchison, KS
1986 Two-Person Exhibition; Muchnic Art Gallery; Atchison, KS
The 2nd National Tarkio Invitational; The Studio Gallery; Tarkio College, Tarkio, MO
Two Person Exhibition; Linder Art Gallery; Keystone Junior College; LaPlume, PA
1985 A.I.R. Gallery Annual Holiday Invitational; A.I.R. Gallery; New York, NY
The Artful Christmas; Doris Fordham Gallery; Clarks Summit, PA
The 1st National Tarkio Invitational; The Studio Gallery; Tarkio College, Tarkio, MO Recognizable
Objects; Doris Fordham Gallery; Clarks Summit, PA
Thesis Exhibition; Zoller Gallery; Pennsylvania State University; University Park, PA M.F.A. Group
Exhibition; Zoller Gallery; Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA
1984 A.I.R. Gallery Annual Holiday Invitational; A.I.R. Gallery; New York, NY
““Group Dynamics - An Invitational Exhibition””; Zoller Gallery
Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
1983 M.F.A. Group Exhibition; Zoller Gallery; Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA
Competitive Exhibitions
2006 62nd Art Annual Exhibition; Neville Public Museum; Green Bay, WI
Agrarian Views……; Gallery 110 North; Plymouth, WI
2005 Mighty Midwest Biennial III; New Visions Gallery; Marshfield, WI
Alive in the Arts –– A Joan Kohn Memorial Exhibition, Gallery 110 North, Plymouth, WI
Eight Counties; John Michael Kohler Art Center; Sheboygan, WI
2004 Alive in the Arts –– A Joan Kohn Memorial Exhibition, Gallery 110 North, Plymouth, WI

2003 Northern National Art Competition; Nicolet College Art Gallery, Rhinelander, WI
Impressions; Blanden Memorial Art Museum, Fort Dodge, IA
Alive in the Arts - A Joan Kohn Memorial Exhibition, Gallery 110 North, Plymouth, WI
Beloit & Vicinity; Wright Museum of Art, Beloit College, Beloit, WI
2001 Eight Counties; John Michael Kohler Art Center; Sheboygan, WI
1999 57th Art Annual Exhibition; Neville Public Museum; Green Bay, WI
1998 Not Only Badgers, Packers & Cows; Gallery 110 North, Plymouth, WI
Six Counties Triennial Exhibition; John Michael Kohler Art Center, Sheboygan, WI
1997 55th Art Annual Exhibition; Neville Public Museum; Green Bay, WI
1996 54th Art Annual Exhibition; Neville Public Museum;Green Bay, WI
1995 Wisconsin Artists’’ Biennial; University of Wisconsin Fine Arts Galleries at Green Bay
Eau Claire and Stevens Point, WI
1995 Greater Midwest International Exhibition X; Art Center Gallery, Central Missouri State University; Warrensburg, MO

1994 Wisconsin Painters & Sculptors Statewide Membership Exhibition; River Edge Galleries; Mishicot, WI
1993 Wisconsin Artists’’ Biennial; Fine Arts Gallery; University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Lawton Gallery of Art; Lawrence University, Appleton, WI
1992 Kansas 17th National Small Painting, Drawing and Print Exhibition
Moss-Thorn Gallery of Art, Fort Hays State University; Hays, KS
1991 Pastels ‘91:Sixth Annual National Exhibition; The Midwest Pastel Society Dellora NorrisCultural Arts Center; St. Charles, IL
1990 Six Counties Triennial Exhibition; John Michael Kohler Art Center, Sheboygan, WI
1989 National Juried Art Exhibition; Arlington Art Association, Arlington Museum of Art Arlington, TX
16th International Dogwood Festival Art Show; Georgia Tech Student Center Gallery Atlanta, GA
Fifth Annual Arts Fest Juried Gallery Show; Gibson-Barham Gallery Imperial Calcasieu Museum; Lake Charles, LA
The Greater Midwest International Exhibition IV; Art Center Gallery Central Missouri State University;
Warrensburg, MO
1988 Art in the Woods ‘‘88; Overland Park Arts Commission; The Corporate Woods Overland Park, KS
The Greater Midwest International Exhibition III; Art Center Gallery Central Missouri State University;
Warrensburg, MO
1987 1987 Biennial; Sioux City Art Center; Sioux City, IA
1986 AAUW National Art Mart Exhibition; IntraWest Bank of Greeley, CO
1985 15th Annual Works on Paper Exhibition; Southwest Texas State University San Marco, TX
16th Annual River Road Art Competition; Louisiana Art & Artist’s Guild, Inc. Guild Gallery, Baton Rouge, LA
28th Chautaugua National Exhibition of American Art 1985; Chautaugua Art Association Galleries;Chautaugua, NY
1984 Pensacola National Portrait Exhibition; Visual Arts Gallery; Pensacola Junior College Pensacola, FL
Women in the Arts Celebration; William Penn Memorial Museum, Harrisburg, PA
1983 16th Annual Arkansas Exhibition; S.E. Arkansas Arts & Science Center Pine Bluff, AR
The Figure; New Form/New Function; Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts Gatlinburg, TN
1983 26t h Annual Chautaugua National Exhibition of American Art 1983
Chautaugua Art Association Galleries; Chautaugua, NY
GAL EX 17; 17th Annual International Competitive Exhibition; Galesburg Civic Art Center; Galesburg, IL
WINTER ART/Manhattan; Strecker Gallery; Manhattan, KS
1982 Fred Wells 7; Nebraska Wesleyan University Elder Gallery; Lincoln, NE
1982 Summerarts IX Regional Juried Art Exhibition; Warner M. Lee Center for Fine Arts;University of South Dakota; Vermillion, SD
Kansas 7th National Small Painting, Drawing, & Print Exhibition; Fort Hays State University; Hays, KS
1981 Fred Wells 6; Nebraska Wesleyan University Elder Gallery; Lincoln, NE
ANA C - 1st Annual Competitive - Nebraska Reflections ‘81 Hastings College Art Gallery; Hastings, NE
1980 15 Regional Artists; Mark IV Gallery; Lincoln, NE
1979 Works on Paper - University of Nebraska Traveling Exhibition; University of Iowa Iowa City, IA; Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY

Publications And Reviews
2006 Drawn In; Exhibition Catalog; Miller Museum of Art; Sturgeon Bay, WI
2004 Self-Endeavors; Videotape Collection; John Esch Library, Lakeland College Sheboygan, WI
2003 Impressions; Exhibition Catalog; Blanden Memorial Art Museum; Fort Dodge, IA
2002 Reflections; Update: The Lakeland College Magazine; Sheboygan, WI
“Lemon-Lime Periphera””; 2002 Edgewood Orchard Galleries Calendar
2001 “East View from Rangeline Road Bridge”; 2001 Edgewood Orchard Galleries Calendar
1998 A Heart for Art; The Sheboygan Press, by Molly DeCleene, Sheboygan, WI
1997 Pro gram Catalogue for Children & Adults; Minnetonka Center for the Arts
Reproduction of “Kettle Moraine #3”, Fall 1997 Catalogue, Wayzata, MN
1996 Wisconsin Academy Review; A Journal of Wisconsin Culture
Front and BackCover Art; Summer 1996 Edition; Published by the Wisconsin
Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters, Madison, WI
1991 An Exhibit With a View; Wisconsin State Journal
1989 Artist’s Works Bright, Warm, Colorful; The Times; Shreveport, LA

Commissions
Concourse Hotel Lobby, Madison, WI
Northern Trust Bank, Milwaukee, WI
Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co., Milwaukee, WI
Thomas Uecke, Milwaukee, WI
Numerous Private Commissions throughout the Midwest.

Professional Activities
2006 Committee Member, On Campus Curriculum Committee, Lakeland College Sheboygan, WI
2004 Convocation Lecture, ““Self-Endeavors””, Lakeland College, Sheboygan, WI
2003-06 Fine Arts & Communications Committee member, Lakeland College, Sheboygan, WI
2003 Juror, Miller Art Museum’’s Annual Juried Art Exhibition, Sturgeon Bay, WI
2002 Juror, Kohler Company Annual Photography Competition, Kohler Company, Kohler, WI
Guest Lecturer, Sheboygan North High School, Sheboygan, WI
Set & Program Design, Set Coordinator, Blue Line Ice Center, “Grease on Ice”, Sheboygan, WI
Lobby Display, Sheboygan Youth Theater Company, Plymouth, WI
2002-03 Committee Member, On Campus Curriculum Committee, Lakeland College Sheboygan, WI
2001 Program Design, Blue Line Ice Center, Annual Ice Skating Exhibition “103 Dalmatians on Ice”;
Sheboygan, WI
2000 Program Design, Wisconsin Edge Figure Skating Club, Exhibition Program
Milwaukee, WI
Guest Lecturer; Sheboygan North High School, Sheboygan, WI
1998 Guest Lecturer; Sheboygan North High School, Sheboygan, WI
Editor: “On & Off the Wall”, Quarterly Newsletter; Plymouth Arts Foundation Plymouth, WI 1997
1997 Juror; Kohler Company Annual Photography Competition, Kohler Company Kohler, WI
Guest Panelist;““Massaging the Artist’’s Ego”, Plymouth Art Foundation Gallery 110 North, Plymouth, WI
1995 - 2001 Committee Member; Professional Standards Committee; Lakeland College, Sheboygan, WI
1994 Guest Lecturer; University of Wisconsin Center - Manitowac
1989 - Present Coordinator; Art Department; Lakeland College, Sheboygan, WI
Co-Director; Bradley Art Gallery; Lakeland College, Sheboygan, WI
1991 Juror; “28th Waupaca Art Show”; Waupaca, WI Juror; Magnolia Sidewalk Arts Festival; Magnolia, AR
1989 Interview; “Artscene”; Shreveport Cablevision; Shreveport, LA
Juror; Natchitoches Art Guild Exhibit; Northwestern State University of Louisiana Natchitoches, LA
1988 Juror; “Great Things to See in Kansas”; Sponsored by The Kansas Optometric Auxiliary; Muchnic Gallery; Atchison, KS
1986-88 Co-Director; South Administration Art Gallery; Benedictine College, Atchison, KS
1986 Gallery Lecture and Discussion; Linder Art Gallery; Keystone Junior College La Plume, PA
1985 Juror; Susquehanna Arts Festival; Susquehanna, PA
Guest Lecturer The Mercersburg Academy; Mercersburg, PA
1984 Pennsylvania State University Undergraduate Art Exhibition Zoller Gallery; University Park, PA