SUSI HAVENS-BEZAIRE,
Trustee -
Although
Susi Havens-Bezaire, 60, has lived her entire life in the
Midwest (Indiana, Michigan and Ohio), she loves traveling, and
thinks of herself as a "world citizen". Her husband of 33
years, Dave, shares her passion for
Habitat for Humanity and travel frequently overlaps with
her enthusiasm for painting as they
lead teams of volunteers to build houses and community
around the world. Throughout her careers as family therapist,
full-time mother, and volunteer community organizer, Susi
experimented with different art forms in her spare time -
including metal sculpture, pastels, and stained glass. She
began formal art training at the Columbus College of Art and
Design in 2002, where she discovered a passion for oil
painting—particularly in the plein air format—and continued
classes through 2006. Since then, Susi participated in many
short, intense workshops with highly regarded plein air
painters. She joined OPAS in early 2004 and found a strong
support group of painters willing to share their expertise and
knowledge. In the past, Susi has organized paint-outs and 2
competitions for OPAS and looks forward to her new role as
Trustee and Committee Chair for the 2012 Competition.
(Term ends 4th Quarter
2014)
DEBRA JOYCE DAWSON,
Webmaster, Past President and Founder - Bio to come.
JODY HALL,
Corresponding Secretary -
is an active artist who enjoys
experimenting with various mediums and techniques. Most
recently she has been focusing on the impressionistic style
through pastels, oil, and acrylic. Jody received her formal
art training at Kent State University and a Masters Degree
from Ohio Domincan University. In addition to being a
practicing artist, Jody is also an art educator in Central
Ohio.
(Term ends
2nd Quarter
2014)
JEFFREY RISNER,
Trustee, Immediate Past President, holds
two Master degrees from
Ohio University, Athens, Ohio: a 2006
Master of Management of Communication Policy and Technology;
and a 1982, Master of Geology and Hydrology. But he has
had an interest and desire in painting most of his life.
Recently he has decided to do something about it and just
paint. He believes that painting has traditions that need to
be mastered by all painters and looks forward to helping OPAS
uphold those traditions. His interests include: plein air,
still life and nudes. He is a member of the
International Carnivorous Plant
Society, United States Chess Federation, and Ohio Plein Air
Society.
Bio to come.
(Term ends
2nd Quarter
2014)
MIKE STEGMAN,
Trustee,
is an Ohio native who grew up in Elyria. His photography hobby
expanded into painting. He began struggling with oils in the
1960's, and later with more time on his hands, he began
working with watercolors, took lots of classes, participated
in art exhibitions, and exhibited his paintings at the Elyria
Library. Currently, Mike is working in acrylic and oil,
and since joining OPAS, he often works en plein air and
loves it. Mike also enjoys painting outdoors with his fellow
members of the "Firelands Area Art League".
(Term ends March 2013)
DOREEN ST. JOHN,
Secretary,
is a native of Saugatuck, Michigan, and
has lived in Hartville, Ohio for the past 39 years. While
working as a teacher and raising a family, Doreen still found
time for art, taking her first watercolor classes at the
Canton Museum of Art in 1980. She has been a professional
artist with a focus on watercolor and mixed media painting
since 1988. After taking a few years off from painting when
she became a school administrator, Doreen found her way back
to art when she happened to find the Ohio Plein Air Society’s
website and attended her first paintout in September,
2005. From that time forward she has been a passionate plein
air painter and advocate/member of OPAS. “Ohio Plein Air
Society helped me to find my way back to my art; associating
with the amazing and talented artists who are among its
members has helped me to grow as an artist. I am dedicated to
giving back to this organization that has given so much to
me.” (Term
ends 4th Quarter 2014)
BRIDGETTE TURNER,
President -
Bridgette Turner resides in Columbus,
Ohio and has been a professional artist for the last 25
years. She obtained her Master of Fine Arts degree in
Sculpture from Kent State University in 1980. Today, her work
is centered in painting both in pastels and oils. A long time
gallery exhibitor, she opened Turner Studio & Gallery in 2007.
The Gallery show cases Turner’s work as well as other artists.
She is a charter member, past board member and former officer
of the Ohio Plein Air Society. She is also a member of Oil
Painters of America and the American Impressionists Society.
(Term ends 1st Quarter 2014)
MICHELLE WALKER,
Vice President - Bio to come.
(Term ends
2nd Quarter
2014)
OPAS thanks to those who have served in the past.
PAST PRESIDENTS :
Richard
Canfield (Executive Director)
Debra Joyce Dawson - 2003 - 2006
Jon Browning - 2006 - 2009
Jeff Risner - 2009 - 2012
PAST BOARD MEMBERS and OFFICERS:
Jon Browning (Trustee 2005 - 2012);
Richard Canfield (Executive Director &
Founder 2002 -03),
Carol Cosgrove (Secretary '03 - '07), John Daniels
('07 Vice-President); Kaye Michele Darling
('02 - '04 Founder & Trustee), Debra Joyce Dawson (Founder,
Trustee '02 - '11,
Board Chair '06 - '08, Webmaster '04
- present); Edie Dean
(Treasurer '06 - '09, Trustee '04 - '11); Rick Dziak ('06
Vice-President), Diane Farr
(09' - '10 Treasurer); Elaine Freeman ('07 Corresponding Secretary); Mark Gingerich (Founder
& Trustee '02
- '04), Tom Harbrecht (Founder, Board Chair
'03 - '06),
Ray Hassard ('04 - '09);
John Hoberg (Founder,
Secretary, Treasurer, Trustee '02 - '03), Fran Mangino
(Trustee 2007 - 2012); Michelle
Morris (Secretary '09); Richard Otten
(Founder, '02 - '04 Trustee), Gayla Parks
(Secretary '10); Ruth Ann Sturgill
(Vice President '10 - '11); Bridgette Turner ('03 - '05 Vice-President,
'04 - '06 Treasurer & Trustee).
Ohio Plein Air Society
Address :
OPAS • P.O. Box
14926 • Columbus, OH 43214
Website :
www.ohiopleinairsociety.com
Phone :
