2012 Treasure Artist announced

Barbara Jacobsen is the 2012 Treasure Artist of the Year, Sonoma’s Cultural and Fine Arts Commission announced today.

Barbara is well known locally as a painter and collage expert. She has an open art studio and has taught the very popular Journey Book classes. She spearheaded the Sonoma Collage Collective, which has been a featured art exhibit at many Sonoma locations.

“We had a number of gifted artists to consider, but the commission agreed unanimously on Mrs. Jacobsen,” said Gerry Simmel, chair of the CFAC. “She was selected not only for her contributions as a talented teacher and artist. but also for her contributions to the arts community and to the community as a whole.

She is the wife of the late Ray Jacobsen who was the 1997 Treasure Artist of the Year. Her portrait of him is shown at right.

A sampling of the comments made about her in the letters received by the CFAC include:

“She means so much to so many people; she’s sparked their artistic potential and made a huge bonus in so many lives.”

“She is an inspiring and liberating teacher…has had a profoundly positive effect on many people as documented in the book “Living Into Art,” written by Lindsay Whiting”.

“She has truly been an inspiration not only to me, but to newcomers and oldtimers alike, through the practice of her own art, and as a teacher.”

Previous honorees include: Dennis Ziemienski, 2011; Gayle Manfre, 2010; Lin Lipetz, 2009; Linda Rawls, 2008; and Lia Transue, 2007.

The Commission will host a reception in Jacobsen’s honor in the near future. Details of the reception will be announced soon.

For additional information, contact City Clerk Gay Johann at 933.2216.