Melissa Dupuis
Acting 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.
Allison Fanelli
Vice President
Allison Fanelli is a semi-retired Registered Nurse and life-long artist. Originally from Pennsylvania, Allison relocated to Calabash in 2020, where she finds inspiration in this coastal area which is reflected in much of her art. Starting with a love of drawing as a child, she worked with ceramics and painted for 30 yrs, ran an arts and crafts business in her 30’s, and now devotes much of her time creating collages, painting with acrylics and watercolors, and working with glass.
Along with WAOTC, Allison is also a Board Member of the Brunswick Arts Council, and a member of Waterway Art Assoc, the Art League of Leland, Associated Artists of Southport and the Wilmington Art Association. Allison also participates regularly in local art shows and is active in promoting local art events. In 2024, she received awards for her submissions in both mixed media and 3D work. Allison’s art work can be found in regularly in Franklin Square Gallery and Sunset River Gallery. She also he has been commissioned for mixed media, acrylic and mosaic works.
Color and positivity are central to Allison’s works. She believes that art can be a source of optimism and solace. Each piece is an inviting escape, a gentle reminder of the world's serene beauty beyond its frenetic pace.
Allison’s best times are spent with her husband and two dogs, Ranger and Driver. She enjoys the beach, cooking for family and friends and exploring the beauty of her new state.
Terri Turley
Secretary
Terri Turley, an artist raised in Hatboro, Pennsylvania, began her creative journey amid her large family of 10 siblings. The early loss of her mother and the addition of two stepsisters shaped her upbringing. Terri is married to Mark and together they have 4 children and 5 grandchildren. She found her love for art in her twenties, starting with painted pottery and eventually embracing watercolor painting as her main medium.
Art is a family tradition for Terri, with her artist aunt in Georgia being a significant influence. Before turning fully to art, Terri worked in corporate sales & office management and ran a retail sports shop. After retiring to Calabash, NC in December 2019, she dedicated herself to art, refining her skills through various classes at the encouragement of her sister.
Terri's watercolor art often features nature themes, capturing wildlife and seascapes with a serene detail. She actively participates in the art community, serving as the New Scholarship Committee Chair for the Waterway Art Association and is a member of several organizations, including the Wilmington Art Association, Art League of Leland, and the Wildlife Artists of the Carolinas. Her work has been showcased in galleries like Red Springs Gallery's Lumbeeland Art Show and Franklin Square Gallery's Maritime Art Show.
Beyond painting, Terri enjoys crafting and sewing. Looking forward, she aims to explore her values and beliefs through her art, striving to offer beauty and connection to society, enriching both her life and the lives of her audience.
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, Communications Chairperson
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. My art can be seen at solo shows and group shows sponsored by these groups. Most recently, I affiliated with Art Exposure Gallery in Hampstead, NC.
I teach painting workshops regionally 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.
Lisa T. Myers
Member at Large, Membership Chairperson
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.
Gwen Renee Pikul
Member at Large, Exhibitions Cahirperson
Gwen Renee Pikul is a self-taught artist. She creates using several mediums, with color and details being the core focus of every piece. Her art has been invited into and awarded in several shows and galleries in Brunswick and New Hanover counties.
Gwen is a member of the Wilmington Art Association, the Art League of Leland, the Oak Island Art Guild, the Urban Sketchers Wilmington Chapter and the Wildlife Artists of the Carolinas.