ArtReach About Us

Benjie Achen, President

I have lived in Red Wing for 31 years and in that time I've raised our family, volunteered and taught part time, been part owner of an antique shop, owned my own lamp shade business, and managed a small medical clinic.

One thing is always consistent for me and that is creativity. I have found it in all areas of my life and lately have begun my own interior decorating business.

When asked to be on the board for ArtReach I looked at it as a new way to use creativity by joining an organization that offers this opportunity to others. It's just been a little over a year since I joined and I have no regrets. Helping others to unleash their creativity through art is alive and growing in ArtReach and I'm very happy to be a part of it!

Nancy McKay 3rd term 2010-

Art has been a constant in my life for as long as I can remember - as a kid, I was always sketching something in my notebooks -
and I passed that along to my own four children. When they were growing up, the basement was always littered with paper, paints, markers, glue . . . We pretty much had an "anything goes" policy when it came to creative activities. I even allowed (encouraged!) them to paint the walls.

It is in this spirit that I believe the artistic process is a vital part of our lives and should be accessible to everyone. It is the reason I am so dedicated to ArtReach, and to making these activities available to the at-risk populations we serve. If we can help unlock their imaginations, we can give encouragement, help build self-esteem and self-confidence, and help them to find value in their work.

My background includes a B. A. In Studio Art from St. Cloud State University. I taught two-dimensional design there while pursuing my Masters Degree with an emphasis in metalsmithing and jewelry design. Additionally, I studied independently at the University of Minnesota, the College of St. Catherine and Illinois State University. Today, I work from my studio and enjoy producing custom designs as well as creating jewelry for the BNOX Gallery in Pepin WI.

We have lived in this beautiful area for 16 years. My involvement with ArtReach began about 6 years ago when I was asked to help with a fundraiser. From then on, I was hooked! I've taught classes for Haven of Hope, Kids Count, Art Camps and St. Brigid's and found each one very gratifying.

Valerie Becker 1st term 2009-

Art has always been an important part of my life and I am delighted to participate and contribute to ArtReach. I am the proud mother of three sons, all of whom are in graduate school and for the past eight years I have owned Red Wing Framing Gallery. Prior to Red Wing Framing Gallery, I was self-employed, providing financial guidance and services for small businesses. I began my first term as a member of the ArtReach board of directors this year.

Paula Marshall, 1st term 2010-

I have lived in Red Wing for most of my adult life. I have recently retired from teaching at Goodhue Schools where I taught Special Education for 33 years. At ArtReach I teach classes for young children and to the women from the Haven of Hope. In addition, I am enjoying being a member of the ArtReach board.

Sharon Schroeder 1st term 2009-

I discovered ArtReach about a year ago after spending the better part of the last 20 years working in museums including Walker Art Center and the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. My life in Red Wing began in 2000 when I found a comfortable old house on East 7th Street and a job at the Goodhue County History Center. Teaching Kids Count classes for ArtReach has prompted me to dig out my own paint brushes. I have a B.A. in studio arts from the U of W, River Falls, but I put my own artwork aside for graduate school at the University of Minnesota, where I earned my M. A. in art history in 1983. Now that I am retired, and have the time to choose how to spend my days, I am finding teaching at ArtReach is one of the most gratifying "jobs" I have ever had. I was pleased to join the board of directors this year.