Meet Rowena! She has been volunteering for two years and learned about our Famous Artists Program while her art was featured at the Mosaic Gallery in the adjoining Sheraton Hotel. “I believe art matters – and I love knowing that I impact creativity in our community by investing just an hour a week,” she explains.

Invited to teach art classes at a few local schools, Rowena has also used the Famous Artist portfolios to inspire young children, teens, and adults.

“The littles are the most excited about seeing the art prints up close in the classroom,” Rowena explains, “They were over the moon when their paintings were displayed at the annual Student Art Show.” Student artists and their families are invited to a private opening reception to view the display. “Here’s mine! I did this!” echo young voices through the gallery. Rowena smiles, “Seeing my students grow in confidence in their artistic ability is always fulfilling!”

Paint Night at the Museum is another event Rowena enjoys serving at. “The best part is encouraging the ‘I’m-not-an-artist’ adult guests to paint like a 5-year-old and have fun…and then watching their delight as their art emerges in the process of following the instructor’s directions. Some guests have actually started painting as a hobby because they found it so enjoyable!”

Rowena is a wife, mother, and artist. Exploring Turtle Bay and the Sundial Bridge were family favorites when her kids were little, and her family first moved from Hawaii. New events and activities at the pond keep the family returning to make more memories. Rowena hopes you, too, will find an area that sparks your interest and join the family of volunteers at Turtle Bay.