Meet Julia Kemerer
Julia Kemerer is a mixed media artist and an avid maker of all things. 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 “using what you have to make what you need.” Julia’s creations will often make appearances at Brushwood Center, where she is the Director of Arts and Administration. Through her work at Brushwood, she curates shows and art markets, runs the Brushwood Art Supply Exchange, and teaches classes in addition to working behind the scenes on several area public arts projects. 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, Illinois with her husband and daughter in a 100 year old lake house full of pets, art,and plants.
See Julia’s art on display at Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods October 25- November 30, 2025.
Media: Mixed media sculpture
Julia’s Artist Statement
Art is alchemy. It is the transmuting of everyday materials using a lifetime of accumulated experiences, skills and knowledge into a magical new substance that only exists as a result of that particular recipe. The art I make now is the result of a fleeting moment in 2023 when a large round mirror frame in my living room suddenly resembled the opening to a birdhouse. I imagined for a moment what it would be like for an enormous bird to pop through that opening into my space, and I could not shake the feeling of awe and wonder it created. I found myself compelled to make it a reality, and it has led me to a series of work I call “Portals.” These sculptures of oversized birds were born out of my love of nature and the wonder it brings into my life when a wild creature appears in my path. Made from a combination of traditional and non-traditional materials, including light fixture parts, plaster gauze and plastic spoons, they are also an expression of my love of experimenting and doing things differently. They exist in an “in-between” space, inhabiting a world between sculpture and painting, 3D work and wall art, nature and human made, and fantasy and reality. They have taken on a bit of a life of their own.
Image: Make Way for the King, by Julia Kemerer
Media: Mixed media sculpture
Artist of the Month Events
October 25
10:00 am – 3:00 pm | Free
Open Art Workshop with Julia Kemerer
Open Art Workshop is open to anyone who wants to make something in any area of visual arts and crafts, from the experienced artist looking for a community of others to work with, to the complete novice who just wants to try something out in a low pressure environment, or the family looking for a fun kids’ activity to fill their afternoon – this workshop is for you!
Image: Julia Kemerer with her sculpture, Make Way for the King.
Media: Mixed media sculpture
November 19
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm | $20
Create & Sip – Make a Wreath
Create & Sip is a monthly workshop hosted at Brushwood Center where participants can explore fun projects using supplies and tools from the Brushwood Art Supply Exchange, BASE. It’s an opportunity to get creative, try something new, and enjoy the company of fellow art enthusiasts in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.
