In the Gallery
Craig Fleece
Craig Fleece grew up in Dallas City, Illinois. In 2005, he began his interest in visual arts after touring the European countries, France, Italy, Spain, Monaco, and Vatican City. His high school art teacher, Nyla French, became one of his greatest influences. In 2008, he graduated from Nauvoo-Colusa High School in Nauvoo, IL.. Following high school, French’s inspiration led him to pursue a career in elementary education at Southeastern Community College in Burlington, IA.
While at Southeastern, he studied art fundamentals under John Bybee. Bybee’s drawing class greatly impacted him, changing his career path from elementary education to art education. May 2010, he graduated from Southeastern and furthered his education at Iowa Wesleyan University in Mount Pleasant, IA.
At Iowa Wesleyan, He worked on completing his art education degree with influences from IWU’s art instructors, Don Jones and Ann Klingensmith. In college, he realized his inspiration is driven by emotion, fellow artists, music, and traveling. May 2012, he traveled to Mexico on a student trip led by Jones. While in Mexico, he enjoyed the art and culture of Oaxaca, Mexico City, Taxco, and Acapulco which influenced his work. To finish his bachelors, he student taught K-3 and 9-12 art at Lincoln Elementary and Macomb High School in Macomb, IL. During this time he was working as an elementary after school instructor at Dallas City Elementary School. May 2013, he graduated from Iowa Wesleyan College.
September 2013, he was hired as the Black Hawk Elementary art teacher in Burlington, IA and remained teaching art there for four years. He currently co-facilitates the Secondary Extended Learning Services program at Edward Stone Middle School and Burlington High School. He is the sponsor of Burlington High School’s art club and Edward Stone’s Visual Arts Achievement Program.
June 2018, he joined the board of directors for the Art Center of Burlington and serves on the grant writing committee. Serving as a board member, facilitates his passion for building art opportunities in the community.
Recently, his artwork featured in the collaborative show, “Perge Modo” is heavily influenced by his love for his grandparents and a growing lust for rich color and bold pattern. His late grandmother, Diana Marlene Shaw or Gramma Louie, encouraged his love for art and painting. Some of Diana’s pencil drawings, recovered after her passing, will be featured in remembrance.
Tony Onesto
Illustrator/Art Teacher Extraordinaire Tony Onesto (AKA “Mr. O”) lives in Burlington, Iowa with his lovely wife, Jacqueline. Tony has worked as an Award Winning Art Teacher for over 20 years and is currently employed at Aldo Leopold Middle School with the Burlington Community School District. He is also the owner and operator of Allied Creators Studios in Burlington, where he can be found in the summers leading his wildly popular program "Mr. O's Art School". Tony has a great love of teaching and a tremendous appreciation for his current and past students. He has several Masters Degrees in art and in Educational Leadership. Tony has lived and traveled all over the United States and the world.
The idea of Captain Burlington was developed in collaboration with Kelby Gittings. Captain Burlington is a “Love Letter” to my past, present and future students to be a “light” for someone else’s darkness and even for themselves. No matter how hard life becomes, be courageous, be an optimist and, most importantly, never give up on yourself or your dreams.
My second dedication is to the people and city of Burlington. A city is only as strong as ALL of its people. Do we always see the best of our community? Or the worst? As someone who is not from Burlington or Iowa, I find Burlington to be a magical place. Every day, I work hard to see the best of our community. Join me and find joy in your heart.
Chris Mulder
I am starting my 16th year as an elementary art educator in Burlington. I enjoy using bright colors, layers of texture and pattern, and tend to play with abstractions.
My paintings use a variety of acrylic and spray paints; their subject matter pulling from personal experiences, emotional exploration, caricatures, and whimsical representations of social interaction.
My sculptures use wood (procured from already cut/fallen trees), wire, clay and a variety of paints; carved using a combination of traditional tools and equipment such as chainsaws and angle grinders.
I invite the viewer to get close and investigate the layers; to create their own story of what they see and take with them a little spark of inspiration. Enjoy!
Gallery hours are from 10am to 6pm Monday through Friday and 10am to 4pm Saturday. Free and open to the public! We are now open late Thursday evenings until 8pm for Jefferson Street Farmer's Market.
Gallery Lounge is open the 1st & 3rd Friday of every month from 5-8pm for art, live music, wine, beer, charcuteries, and uncorked conversations!
Coming in September
Main Gallery
Giovanni Falcone & Jason Dains
The Microcosm & Macrocosm
September 4-29 Reception: September 9, 1-3PM
View the 2018 Gallery Schedule here.
Mezzanine Gallery
A second gallery located upstairs of the Art Center features larger artwork for sale and from our Private Collection.
Currently on Display
Large Artwork
David Garrison
Ken Reif
Douglas Rutzen
Mini Gallery
A small space between the Artists Market and Gallery.
Dreamlands
By Annie Swarm Guldberg
Oil paintings and Mixed Media pieces