Marin’s Ambassador of the Arts
Mrs. Thelen has been named the Marin Art Festival¹s master Artist for 2010 and will be exhibiting and selling her own work at the June event held at the Marin Center Fairgrounds in San Rafael. Phyllis Thelen has devoted her life to the arts both as an artist and as patron of the arts. She was the founder of Art Works Downtown and co-founder of Marin Ballet, Youth in Arts and the Marin Arts Council among other accomplishments yet has always pursued her own artistic work.
Phyllis¹s early artworks experienced a sudden change from two-dimensional serigraphs and collage to three-dimensional works after the tragedy of 9/11. She now focuses on sculpting imaginary habitats, boats, and creatures constructed from recycled art and natural fibers. ³ I now make visuals of my imaginative mind and memories. I travel to remote retreats on vessels, finding peace in this simple imaginary world.
Here is a partial list of a long line of her accomplishments and awards:
• Past Chair of the San Rafael Cultural Affairs Commission
• Founding member and past President of Art Works Downtown
• Founding member and past President of Marin Ballet Association
• Founding member of Marin Arts Council
• Founding member of Youth in Arts
• Created and produced Artfest for Marin Arts Council and Artisans
• 1993 Art Citizen Award from Marin Arts Council
• 2000 Inducted into Marin Women’s Hall of Fame
• 2002 Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Dominican University
• 2008 and 2009 Who’s Who of American Women
• 2009 San Rafael Citizen of the Year Award
Phyllis maintains a studio at Art Works Downtown in San Rafael, California.
Artist Contact: pbthelen@comcast.net
Artwork Photography by Cindy A. Pavlinac/ CAPavlinac.com
