Meet our Staff

Julia Kemerer

Julia Kemerer is the longest serving member of the Brushwood team, and has been on staff here since 2006.  As Director of Arts and Administration, she curates several exhibitions and art markets each year, teaches “upcycling” focused classes for adults and families, and operates Brushwood’s creative reuse center, BASE. Also a mixed media artist, she paints and sculpts with paper, found objects, fabric, wood, and clay, and has a passion for creative reuse, or what she refers to as “finding the hidden uses and aspirations of the discarded and the mundane.” Julia’s creations will often make appearances in the Brushwood Gallery, especially during the twice yearly art markets. You can also find an online portfolio of her work at juliakemerer.com. Julia attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and holds a degree in Art History from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She lives in northern Lake County with her husband and daughter in a 95+ year old lake house full of pets, art and plants.