Our Mission Statement
The Owensboro Art Guild cultivates a vibrant local artist community through engaging programs, demonstrations, and mutual support, fostering continuous learning and growth. We present exhibitions, engage in community service, and ignite a passion for art education while promoting deeper understanding and appreciation of visual arts.
Our Commitment to Non-Discrimination
The Owensboro Art Guild is committed to the proposition that art should be a unifying force within the community. The Owensboro Art Guild does not discriminate in its membership, board appointments or programming in respect to race, religion, gender or gender identification, age, disability or national origin.
A Little History
Owensboro Art Guild was formed in 1961/1962 by a few area artists and educators when they decided to meet as a group to support each other and hold a juried art show. In 1963 the Juried Exhibition was held in a vacant house on Griffith Avenue making it the oldest continuously running show of its kind in Kentucky. The Art Guild members decided to incorporate as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 1969. Founding directors on the articles of incorporation were: Faith Harvey, Wilda Ebling, Lois Nease, Laura Threlkeld, Margaret Ross and Maxine Baltzer. While we are not the oldest art guild in Kentucky, we are the Commonwealth’s oldest continuously operating visual arts organization and we are solely operated by volunteers. Now over 62 years later, membership numbers continue to remain active with 82 members today of varying experience and levels of skill
Our Board
Members of the Owensboro Art Guild may bring a question, concern or issue to the attention of the Board by contacting any Board member, who will request that an agenda item be made by the Board President at the next appropriate Board meeting. All Guild members are welcome to attend meetings and may participate in discussions at the discretion of the Presider.
Jim Barr, President
Jim Barr is a native of Owensboro, attended Catholic parochial schools and Brescia College in the early 70’s where he studied art and graduated in 1976, and later earned his M.A. in Systematic Theology from St. John’s University in 1984. Jim has woven his understanding of art and theology into all aspects of various career endeavors before his retirement in 2019. Most of his work history was in the construction industry: homebuilding, ecclesiastical furniture design and construction, cabinetry, commercial construction and construction management. Since retirement Jim has returned to his roots in creating visual art, focusing primarily on wood relief sculpture and has exhibited locally and regionally.
Jamie Kniffen, Vice President
Jamie was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. Her parents moved the family to Owensboro, Kentucky in 1976. There, Jamie finished high school and attended Western Kentucky University where she majored in fine art. After graduating college she moved to Connecticut where her artistic talent unexpectedly fell into the floral industry. After 30 years as a floral and event designer, Jamie decided to put away her knife and apron for paint brushes and canvases. During those 30 years she moved back to Indianapolis and is now residing again in Kentucky. Jamie has participated in juried art shows and festivals. Her art has been sold all across the country.
Jamie’s artistic focus is mainly acrylic painting. Her love of flowers and nature are the main subjects for her paintings. But she is always branching out to try something new and colorful.
Patrick Bennett, Secretary
Selma Wiesenberg, Treasurer
Selma Wiesenberg was born in Daviess County, Kentucky and lived in Orlando, Florida for 30+ years. She attended Valencia College on a fine art scholarship, obtaining her AA degree in 1995. While attending college she worked full-time as a freelance graphic designer and photographer starting her own graphic design business in 1992. She and her husband moved to Daviess County in 2006. Selma has participated in juried fine art and fine craft festivals in both Florida and Kentucky since 1987. Selma’s passion is creating unique woven jewelry. Made with natural stones and fine silver or copper wire her jewelry will last a lifetime.
Selma believes in the mission and purpose of the Owensboro Art Guild. Having served on the Art Guild’s Board of Directors since 2018, Selma had developed a strong commitment to its success.
Sarah Higdon, Past President
Shigdon111@gmail.com
Sarah Higdon, a self taught artist whose art is inspired by nature, traveling and spiritual connection. Her interest in art started as a child, but really took off in 2012 when she began selling commissioned paintings. From 2019-2022 she served as the Vice President of the Owensboro Art Guild. In 2020, she illustrated the book, “The War Within” written by Nick Catinna, consisting of poems focusing on mental health. She then served as the Owensboro Art Guild President until 2023 and now serves on the board. Working mostly with acrylic, she enjoys mixed media and pyrography. She has currently finished four murals within Daviess County and one in Morganfield, Ky. She hopes her art influences others to reconnect to nature and the greater good of humanity.
Leeza Dukes
A textile and couture fashion designer, Leeza attended Fort Lauderdale Art Institute and the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. She has exhibited art and fashion in Florida, New York, Chicago and Kentucky. Leeza has been on the Board for several years. She chairs a number of Art Guild activities including the Downtown Fine Art Show, Black History Month exhibits which features emerging artists. Leeza volunteers for art projects at Girls, Inc. and River Valley Behavioral Health. She has created opportunities for Art Guild members to exhibit art in galleries and shows in Henderson, Evansville and Owensboro.
William E. Elkins, Jr.
William E. Elkins, Jr. (W. E. Elkins) moved to Owensboro in 2022. He is a former pastor and military chaplain who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He received a B.A. in art from the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. He also earned a Master of Divinity with biblical languages and a Ph.D. in Apologetics, with minors in Philosophy and Christianity and the Arts. William recently coauthored and coedited a book entitled Apologetical Aesthetics, which uses the existence of beauty in the world (including art and music) as evidence against naturalism and for the existence of God.
David Hamilton
David Hamilton is a freelance representational artist based in Owensboro, Kentucky. He works primarily in acrylic and oil paint. David enjoys traveling and painting outdoors in the beautiful landscapes of Kentucky.
He is a U.S. Air Force veteran and a retired electric utility executive. In his spare time, he enjoys playing bass and singing in a local Bluegrass band. You can find David Hamilton Art on Facebook and Instagram.
Martha Bratcher
Andy Shoemaker