2023/2024 Officers and Trustees
Kimberly Cesaretti (President)
“The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” – Pablo Picasso
Kim Cesaretti is a teaching artist who creates whimsical surreal self-portraits, landscapes, still life’s, and figurative works in watercolor, acrylic, oil, and black and white mediums. She shows her work on her website, on social media, in the galleries of local arts nonprofits, local cafes, juried art shows, and anyone within 5 feet of her who is willing to see it on her phone!
Kim finds great joy in teaching drawing, acrylic painting, oil painting, and watercolor to adults and teens. Beginner artists hold a special place in her heart.
A patriot at heart with a strong sense of service, Kim worked for the US Navy for 16 years, first as a Graphics Artist/Visual Information Specialist, and then as a Contract Specialist. She also taught Web Design Graphics as an Adjunct Instructor at GCU.
Kim began her studies at the prestigious Mason Gross School of the Arts. After realizing that she didn’t fit in at art school wearing her favorite cardigan and penny loafers, she decided to come back home, work her way through school, and completed degrees at Ocean County College (A.A. Fine Arts, summa cum laude), Georgian Court University (GCU) (B.A., Art Education, magna cum laude) and Capitol College (M.S., Systems Management with a Certificate in Technology Management).
Kim was born in Rahway, NJ and lived in Hillside, NJ. While still an infant, her family moved “down the shore” to beautiful Lacey Township, NJ, where she grew up and now lives and works with her wonderful family and two cute crazy dogs.
(Vice President) Terry Konn
Beatriz Marquez (Treasurer)
Wendy Kovacs (Membership Secretary)
Wendy is a resident of Brick, has an extensive and diverse business background. She was a graphic specialist, held administrative and supervisory positions, and helped manage the corporate website for Lucent Technologies.
She was part owner of a residential delivery business. Wendy has extensive experience using Microsoft Access and Excel which she puts to use at Ocean County Artists’ Guild (OCAG).
Not only is she on the Board, but she handles the OCAG website, concert & class scheduling. Wendy is a talented watercolor artist who has taken many courses with nationally known artists. Her painting was selected as the cover art for Sailfest 2019.
Kim Daley (Corresponding Secretary)
Katie Miskolcy (Recording Secretary/Office Administrator)
I am a former obituary writer, turned office administrator, and I could not be more thrilled to be starting a new chapter of life here at the Guild!
I graduated in 2017 from Kean University with a degree in communications, writing, having always been a passion of mine. After writing obituaries for the Asbury Park Press and USA Today for two years, I felt it was time for a change in career and happened upon an ad for the Ocean County Artists Guild—the rest was history!
When not at the Guild, I like to spend my free time reading, writing, knitting, collecting vinyl, and painting. I also love to run—having completed my first half marathon (barefoot, and a story for another day) in 2019. I want to thank everyone for being so welcoming, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for me at the Guild!
Trustees
John Columbus (Trustee)
I have been a maker of independent short films since 1969. My interest in film is as a visual art form, not a commercial medium and is influenced by my undergraduate art school experiences in print making, photography, sculpture, and life painting after which I made the transition to filmmaking. One of my films titled “Corona” (made in the year 2000 and having nothing to do with the virus but rather a personal memoir) was exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art, NYC Documentary Fortnight Series.
My most recent film (on video) was titled “A Stone’s Throw” made for and in collaboration with the John F. Peto Studio Museum, Island Heights, NJ. I am retired and living in Island Heights with my wife Ellen, a retired librarian and volunteer with the Peto Museum. At age 77 (no spring chicken) I am also a member of the Christ Episcopal Church Choir and we have three grandchildren.
Founder/Director Emeritus: Thomas A. Edison/Black Maria Film Festival for 34 years since 1980,
Exhibit Designer 1970 – 1973, The Newark Museum, Newark, NJ; Charter Member Board of Trustee: Friends of the Thomas A. Edison National Historical Park from 1981–2019; Trustee: The Robert Flaherty Film Seminar, NYC; Associate Professor Part Tim Faculty: University of the Arts, Philadelphia, Film and Photography program; M.F.A. – Columbia University School of the Arts Film Division; B.F.A. – University of Hartford, Hartford Art School
Sally Cornelison (Trustee) Sara (Sally) was born in Washington DC and grew up in Mill Valley, California. I graduated from Dominican College of San Rafael with an Art degree and Education minor. From that point on she began her travels – teaching in Michigan, back to California and on to Hawaii. After four glorious years teaching 6th grade in Hawaii, I found out about the Department of Defense Overseas schools and applied. My Art major came in handy as they needed Art teachers at my first assignment – Subic Bay in the Philippines! I continued teaching Art and loved it during the 13 years of my DOD career. After one year in the Philippines I transferred to Germany and taught in four schools – Hof, Karlsruhe, Berlin and Baumholder.
In 1978 I took a leave of absence and went back to school in Ashland, OR for a Master’s in Outdoor Education! I enjoy integrating art into all aspects of life. I returned to Germany and met my husband, Bert, and married in Germany. He was transferred in 1982 to the USA – which was a culture shock! In 1985 Bert retired from the Army at Fort Riley. We moved to New Jersey. During these years in New Jersey, I kept busy and volunteered lots of time at the church, teaching Art at the Parks, and being a member of Art organizations. I was the President of Tole Time at the Jersey Shore, and the Gallery Committee Chair at the Ocean County Artist’s Guild in Island Heights. New Jersey became the state where I have lived the longest time in one place!
AnnMarie Dario (Trustee)
AnnMarie is a Registered Art Therapist in private practice for over 25 years. She has a bachelor’s degree in Fine Art and Psychology from Springfield College and a master’s degree in Art Therapy and Creative Development from Pratt Institute.
Her extensive background taps into using the creative process of art making to improve and enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being of children and adults. AnnMarie enjoys exploring different art media and getting her hands dirty with a ball of clay.
She has served three years as president. AnnMarie splits her time between Florida and Toms River.
AnnMarie Dario MPS, ATR, Registered Art Therapist
Lorraine Dey (Trustee)
Lorraine Dey is an Award-winning Artist, creating representational landscape paintings, seascapes and “life-like” animal art. Her paintings are included in numerous private collections across the U.S., and have won several awards from “First Place” to “Honorable Mention”. Lorraine recently received several honorary and “artistic recognition” awards from “Art and Color 365” Magazine’s monthly International competitions, with her work published in that International Art Magazine. Her painting, “Shark River Low Tide” was accepted into the 2023 NOAPS, “National On-line Associate Members Juried Exhibit”, as well as the “2023 Annual Open-Juried Exhibition” at Guild of Creative Art Gallery. Lorraine is also a juried, “Exhibiting Member” of the Guild of Creative Art in Shrewsbury, NJ, as well as an active, exhibiting “board of trustees” member at the Ocean County Artists Guild, located in Island Heights, NJ.
Lorraine has exhibited her work throughout the U.S. and Canada in various Galleries, Juried Museum Shows and National exhibitions. She has studied with world-renowned artists such as Robert Bateman and John Seerey-Lester, attending lectures and workshops lead by her mentors. Lorraine is a current member of the American Artists Professional League in NY (AAPL), and the National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society (NOAPS).
In a span of roughly 10 years, Lorraine illustrated over 40 published children’s books featuring her stylized animal art. Prior to that she worked as an Art Director, graphic designer and illustrator, creating professional artwork for companies
such as The Federal Reserve Bank, Toyota USA, Central Garden & Pet, Allstate Insurance, and Franco Manufacturing, as well as book illustrations for publishers, Simon & Schuster, Rodale Press and Highlights for Children.
Besides winning several awards from first place to honorable mention at many art exhibitions over the years, Lorraine’s book illustrations have also won awards such as a silver “Mom’s Choice Award”, Gelett Burgess and Independent Publishers Awards. Today Lorraine enjoys creating representational landscapes, seascapes, and animal art, working in Acrylics in her studio or on location, Plein Air. She exhibits her work across the U.S., primarily along the East Coast from Maine to Florida. Lorraine works in her New Jersey studio near the shore when she is not traveling.
Artist’s Statement:
My paintings tend to show a “softer side of Acrylics”, working in thinly-applied layers much like watercolors. I enjoy finding the “extraordinary in the ordinary”, responding to color and light of a particular moment in time, I am inspired to paint scenes in nature as well as abstract forms of light and shadow on architecture, or intriguing objects found along my travels.
I find Plein Air painting on location very satisfying, and I am convinced the outdoor painting experience has helped tremendously in my studio work, creating representational landscapes and seascapes. My paintings have been described as, “a delicate touch”, “It appears to be lit up”, “emanates light”, and many have said that they feel as if they are standing right there experiencing that moment, at that very time and place. I feel a sense of accomplishment when I notice that a viewer is touched by my painting for the same reasons that inspired me to paint it.
Dan Epstein (Trustee)
Janet Frederickson (Trustee)
Art has come full circle for me! From the first day I could hold a pencil I was hooked! But desires sometimes don’t become reality (at least not right away) and God had other plans! So I pursued a career in Early Childhood Education. I am a former Pre k teacher, art teacher, and librarian at a private school in Toms River for 16 years. Currently I work part time as a dining room hostess at America’s Keswick in Whiting, NJ. where I have been for the past 16 yrs. In 2021 I became a member of the OCAG in order to rekindle the passion for art that I once had! It has been one of my best decisions!! I’ve taken classes, volunteered in different capacities and am presently on the Gallery Committee. My love of painting has returned as I find it very therapeutic working with watercolors, pen and ink and oils! I also feel closer to my Creator when I create! Although I have no formal schooling in art, I’ve taken classes in college and over time, but am pretty much self-taught! My interest was piqued again during Covid days at home and now the pursuit of Art has come full circle! It’s no longer a dream…but my reality, and now I have a connection with others who also have a passion for the fine arts!
Robert Henne (Trustee)
Robert has a background in publishing, and currently owns a community web & social media company in the Toms River area. He is a Trustee of two local art organizations, while also serving as a long-time volunteer with the Toms River Business Improvement District.
As a New Jersey Artist, his work provides a unique look at the world through his colorful paintings. Originally from Ewing, NJ, he has exhibited extensively in central New Jersey and Bucks County Pennsylvania (Princeton, Trenton, Lambertville/New Hope).
He has participated in many juried shows, and has several notable one-man shows to his credit. Since moving to the Jersey Shore, his work has been seen at variety of art venues, including the Ocean County Artists’ Guild, the Art Alliance of Monmouth County, the Freehold Art Gallery, and others. He also had a prior seven-year stretch teaching painting and drawing for adults in the Trenton area.
Kathy Landmesser (Trustee) Kathy Landmesser, born and raised Jersey girl, has taught Art for more than 20 years. She is a member and volunteer of the Ocean County Artist Guild for many years. At the time of this writing, she is contemplating the next phase of her work life and looks forward to expanding the percentage of artmaking to work ratio.
Education: Georgian Court College, Bachelor of Arts degree, Fine art Education; Jersey City State College, Teacher of the Handicapped; PRAXIS Series, Elementary and Teacher of Art certificates. Kean University, Graduate Studies in School Counseling Certificate, Masters in Educational Counseling
Ken Weiner (Trustee)