Social and Community Involvement


     Conceived and coordinated The Tortuga Project; a fund raiser for a playground in Hollands sister city, Queretaro, Mexico. I made 100 turtles for local people of all ages to decorate and sell. This project has led to numerous school projects and speaking engagements.

     Invited to make and present 25 clay turtles to local and Mexican officials and dignitaries during the Tulip Time Festival.

     Founding member of the Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony. Active member of the Arts Committee.

     Guiltless Shells donated for distribution to participants at the Everglade Conference sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund January 2001.

     Guiltless Shells on display in reception area of The Cousteau Society.

     Grand Rapids Art Museum donated Guiltless Shells as thank you gifts for all attendees at the Tropical Soire A Caribbean Masked Ball.

     Holland Area Arts Council donated Guiltless Shells for Bahama Night; their annual benefit event.

     Awarded 2nd place ribbon in the artistic division at the 64th Annual Sanibel Shell Show of Sanibel Island 2001. Premiere showing of my shells for the global shell community.  

     Uses the "Guiltless Shells" to teach the concept of Unity in Diversity.

     Awarded the blue ribbon for my jewelry exhibit at the 66th Annual Sanibel Shell Show - 2003.

     Artist in Residence for Holland Hospital using my clay to provide comfort for people in the surgical waiting room.

     Awarded two ribbons at the 67th Annual Sanibel Shell Show - 2004.

     Coastal Living magazine featured the 66th Sanibel Shell Fair and Show in the March 2004 issue i a story entitled "Shellbound" which included their photo of my "Guiltless Shells".