Melissa Dupuis
Vice-President
Melissa is a local photographer who has resided in Wilmington, NC since 1995. In addition to being a member of the Wildlife Artists of the Carolinas, she is a member of The Art League of Leland, a member and current treasurer of The Wilmington Art Association, and a member of the Cape Fear Camera Club. Her photos represent her emotional ties to the natural beauty of the Cape Fear Area, particularly the coastline.
Melissa’s photos have been displayed locally at various art galleries and events such as the “8th Annual ArtFall” (Community Arts Center of Wilmington juried event); “It’s ALL Art” (Art League of Leland juried event); Wilmington Art Association Annual Art Show and Sale (Juried event and official art show of the Azalea Festival); “Cape Fear Landmarks” at Gallery Citrine (Juried event show); Wilmington Art Association “12x12” Show (Juried event at Aces Gallery); and “Art in the Arboretum” ’22 (Juried show). Her work has also been part of the Wilmington Art Association Window at Gallery Citrine.
Gloria Williams
Secretary
Over the years, I combined different sources of media I love to work with, drawing, painting, and photography. I select subjects that are of interest to me. My inspiration comes from places I’ve been, people I see, textures and colors of materials. Painting landscapes or figurative scenes from observation and sometimes imaginary, I enjoy certain freedoms that derive. "I don't want to limit myself to oil painting or pencils. Making art is more versatile and as a visual artist, I want to express a certain style in my work. I'm trying to be not only creative with my process, but to develop my technique."
I grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana and as a young girl, I liked to draw characters and flowers. After my first visit to the Indianapolis Museum of Art, I was fascinated with oil paintings of flowers. I discovered I had a desire to study art. My father was always encouraging, and he helped me to realize I should explore my passion for the arts.
Years later, those remembrances inspired me to attend my first drawing class at Heron University in Indianapolis, IN.
However, it wasn’t until after my family and I moved to North Carolina, I decided to enroll in Guilford College, in Greensboro, NC and completed my education in Liberal Arts. I received James McMillan Honors for Excellence in Art, awarded in 2013 and 2015. In 2017 to 2018, I joined the Greensboro Mural Project, a community involved organization, who paints murals in public places and schools. I participated in the first Artist in Residence (AIR REV) Program in 2017. My first solo art exhibit was hosted at the Revolution Mill Historical Building in 2018.As a Visual Artist, I continue to develop my technique with an open mind in making art.
Lisa T. Myers
Member At Large; Chairperson of Membership and Fundrasing
After retiring in 2019, from 30 years in IT sales in the Washington DC area, Lisa T. Myers went back to her roots and passion for creating art.
As her artistic journey continues to mature, she has been focused on mixed media abstract art. She states that abstract art is wild, passionate, and imaginative. Her work is fun and whimsical.
She does commission work and is a member of the Art League of Leland, the Wilmington Art Association, the Brunswick Arts Council, Cameron Art Museum and the Wildlife Artists of the Carolinas. For more information about Lisa and her work, please visit www.lisatmyers.com.
David Kilgore
Treasurer
Dave grew up in rural Indiana where he developed his love of Nature. His first camera was a Kodak Brownie he received as a child and he started his nature photography by photographing animal burrows,
yes shooting holes in the ground. Dave’s photography experience progressed in high school where he was a photographer for the school newspaper and year book using a 5X7 large format camera and
developing the images in the school’s darkroom. After high school his photography took a hiatus while he earned a degree in Aeronautical Engineering at Tri State University and started his career in the
defense industry.
In 1986 Dave received a Minolta Maxxum film camera as a gift from his wife Brenda. Over the next years, Dave enjoyed photographing little league games, family events and vacations. After retiring from 35 years in the defense industry Dave and Brenda moved from Northern Virginia to Calabash, North Carolina. Dave was then able to pursue his lifelong passion for wildlife and nature. The Coastal area of Brunswick County provides great opportunities for photographing wildlife and landscapes. With the huge variety of birds along the shore and in the marshes, he enjoys the challenge of photographing them. Dave not only photographs shore birds but also enjoys photographing birds in his back yard and has also photographed the unique birds found in Africa. Dave’s goal with all wildlife photographs is to depict the subjects in their natural habitat.
Lourdes Rosas Rasdall
Member at Large, Chairperson, Communications
Art was my first love and has been a driving force throughout my life, although not always in the forefront. College took me from the Caribbean to the Tampa Bay area, where I received my Bachelor of Arts from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, FL. Later, I studied and practiced commercial art. My art took a backseat with a corporate job and raising a family, but eventually I returned to pursuing what I love doing most.
In 2019, I traded a corporate career for a more creative lifestyle. Since then, I have kept busy with galleries, group shows, commissions, community projects, and teaching. In 2021, I was offered a position as Director of Suntan Art Center in St. Pete Beach, FL, which I kept until I moved to Sneads Ferry, NC, in January 2024. From the Tampa Bay to the North Carolina coast, I find inspiration in the local scenery, particularly nature and wildlife.
In Florida, I was represented by St. Pete Artworks and the Craftsmen Gallery at Suntan Art Center. Since arriving in NC, I have joined the Watercolor Society of North Carolina (WSNC), the Greater Topsail Art Association (GTAA), the Wilmington Arts Association (WAA), the Wilmington chapter of Urban Sketchers, the Art League of Leland (ALL) and the Wildlife Artists of the Carolinas (WAOTC), where I also serve as a board member. Besides showing along my peers in these wonderful groups, I continue to teach painting workshops and participate in plein air events around the country. When at home, I also make time to volunteer at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue & Rehabilitation Center in Surf City, NC.