Mixed Media Drawings and Paintings at UU Gallery

“Civility” by Karen Hertz-Sumnicht.

Karen Hertz-Sumnicht and her mixed media drawings and paintings are featured at the UU Gallery throughout September.

Born in Indianapolis, Hertz-Sumnicht began her creative practice in ceramics and drawing classes at the University of Chicago Lab School and Munster High School. In 1980, she earned her BFA and teaching certificate at St. Mary’s College of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. Following school she moved to Wisconsin’s Fox Cities community to teach K-12 art in Stockbridge. Since 1982, she has lived in Neenah and owned Avenue Art & Co. in Appleton, a custom framing and art consulting business.

After 35 years on the business side of things, Hertz-Sumnicht returned to her own art making, prompted by a class she took at Peninsula School of Art. Today, she has a studio in Sturgeon Bay where she makes her mixed media drawings and paintings. Her most recent work, displayed here, uses techniques of cold wax and oil to explore the theme of simplicity through layers and texture. She draws inspiration for these pieces from daily moments of mindfulness and prayer and the influence of her natural surroundings in Door County. Each piece, for her, is a conversation on life and community and she encourages you to engage in these conversations.

Write On, Door County will hold an Art Speaks: Free Writing Lab Sept. 14 at 1:30 pm at this exhibit. The writing lab provides a peaceful writing space for expression and reflection on the artwork. These labs are hosted in conjunction with the UU’s Lifespan Education Committee.

The UU Gallery is free and open to the public. It is located at 10341 Hwy 42 in north Ephraim. Hours are 1 – 3 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and 11 am – 12 pm Sundays. For more information call 920.854.7559.