Grand Detour artist wins state recognition

FOR THE GAZETTE Although she has won awards for oil and acrylic paintings, Jayne Rose also is well known throughout the Sauk Valley for her dedication to teaching others, especially children, how to unlock their inner artist. On March 11, during Arts Education Week, Rose will be presented with the 2008 Illinois Alliance for Art Education Artist of the Year award at the Capitol Rotunda in Springfield.

Rose, of Grand Detour, received the award for her work with the Authentic Artist program for Reagan Middle School fifth- and sixth-graders, and for her mural work with the Juvenile Probation Program.

Debbie Thompson, an art teacher at Reagan, nominated Rose, who has visited Thompson's classroom many times to teach painting techniques and to oversee special projects.

"Jayne is phenomenal when she works with children," Thompson said. "They really respond to her, and she brings art to life for them. It is valuable for our students to have contact with professional artists. Jayne has given so willingly of her time, and her work has created lasting impressions."

At the school, Rose has worked with students over the past several years on still lifes and rural landscapes, designing stained-glass projects and painting murals at KSB Hospital and the Lee County Courthouse.

Last summer, she, Thompson and Thompson's daughter, Arin Thompson, collaborated on a mural, instructing five youths who created the 8-by-20-foot "Magical Trees" on Juvenile Probation's children's waiting room wall. Rose created a blog documenting the process, at themuralproject.wordpress.com.

"While I love creating my own art, I feel strongly about sharing my passion and knowledge with kids. It is so rewarding to see them achieve things that they never thought possible," Rose said. "Getting this award is a great honor to me."

Rose is a part-time graphic designer and office administrator for Affinity AV New Media Design. She and her husband, Jeff, own and operate the Colonial Rose Inn & Restaurant in Grand Detour, and she volunteers at The Next Picture Show art gallery in Dixon, doing graphic design work and Web site management, as well as instructing workshops.

Rose is on the boards of the Grand Detour Art Show and the Blackhawk Visitors' & Convention Bureau, a member of the Phidian Art Club and an Alzheimer's Art Show volunteer artist.