Exhibition dates: June 18-29, 2025
Reception: Saturday, June 14, 2025
Live Music by Ian Wasdin
Artists: Joy (Acacia) Anderson, Juanita Gotts, Shirley Ann Riley, and Denise Knebel.
Founded by Pamela Ellen Ferguson, Dr Kimberly Layne, and Annie McMillin.
The Artemis Project
Named after the Greek Goddess of Health and Vigor, the Artemis Project is an informal peer group of women veteran artists and those in active service exploring their “inner artist”, especially as a way of processing experiences of trauma and post-traumatic stress (PTSS/PTSD) unique to women in the military.
Described as “non-therapy therapy”, the Artemis Group has staged Austin exhibitions at the Samaritan Center, the UU church on Grover Ave, the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest, and at the Carver Museum, since 2014.
Background
The idea for the Artemis Project evolved out of a 3-way discussion among Dr Kimberly Layne: DAOM, L.Ac, Dipl OM, AOMA graduate and founder of Antler Integrative Health, Austin, Pamela Ellen Ferguson: Dipl ABT, AOBTA(r)-CI, LMT (TX), Dean Emerita of ABT at AOMA, global teacher of Asian Bodywork Therapy and multi-published author, and Annie McMillin, decorated Army Veteran and practicing artist.
Reception: Saturday, June 14, 2025
Live Music by Ian Wasdin
Artists: Joy (Acacia) Anderson, Juanita Gotts, Shirley Ann Riley, and Denise Knebel.
Founded by Pamela Ellen Ferguson, Dr Kimberly Layne, and Annie McMillin.
The Artemis Project
Named after the Greek Goddess of Health and Vigor, the Artemis Project is an informal peer group of women veteran artists and those in active service exploring their “inner artist”, especially as a way of processing experiences of trauma and post-traumatic stress (PTSS/PTSD) unique to women in the military.
Described as “non-therapy therapy”, the Artemis Group has staged Austin exhibitions at the Samaritan Center, the UU church on Grover Ave, the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest, and at the Carver Museum, since 2014.
Background
The idea for the Artemis Project evolved out of a 3-way discussion among Dr Kimberly Layne: DAOM, L.Ac, Dipl OM, AOMA graduate and founder of Antler Integrative Health, Austin, Pamela Ellen Ferguson: Dipl ABT, AOBTA(r)-CI, LMT (TX), Dean Emerita of ABT at AOMA, global teacher of Asian Bodywork Therapy and multi-published author, and Annie McMillin, decorated Army Veteran and practicing artist.
We Dedicate this exhibition to the sanctity of the VA and the theme of our poster HANDS OFF THE VA
Joy (Acacia) AndersonOwner of Thorndragon's Treasures
Director of Earth Spirit People Member of the Odd Fellows Military service: 1974 – 1977 Permanent duty station: Ft Huachuca, Az MOS: 95B Military Police Retired Wall Paper Hanger Cancer Survivor I have been involved in arts and crafts ever since I can remember. I took art in Jr. High and High school and continued into college. I draw, paint, sew, do paper mâché, jewelry etc. Painting the skulls of animals came about as a way to honor the life of these beings that were killed by cars, hunters, etc. So often we never think twice about the animal dead on the side of the road. We forget about their lives, their beauty, and their strengths. Each one is truly an individual and deserve more than just being cast aside. For me, this is a way to Honor them. Help me to Honor their lives E-mail: [email protected] |
Fox
2023 Acrylic on bone H 2” x L 5” x W 3” "Honor My Life!" |
Deer (White/Silver)
2024 H 14” x L 9” x W 18” "Honor My Life!" |
Dog
2023 Acrylic on bone H 5” x L 8” x W 4” "Honor My Life!" |
Wild Hog
2010 Acrylic on bone H 8” x L 12” x W 6” "Honor My Life!" |
Pot Belly Pig
2022 Acrylic on bone H 7” x L 9” x W 5” "Honor My Life!" |
Deer (Black/Gold)
2024 H 16” x L 12” x W 14” "Honor My Life!" |
Ram/Sheep
2010 Acrylic on bone H 7” x L 11” x W 14” "Honor My Life!" |
Young Sheep/Ram
2022 Acrylic on bone H 4” x L 9” x W 11” "I am a Sheep/Ram. Because I am considered a food, my flesh was used for a wedding feast. Honor My Life!" |
Juanita (Janie) GottsJuanita joined the National Guard as a Combat Medic in 1987, before becoming an active-duty soldier in 1991 serving at Texas National Guard HQs at Camp Mabry. Juanita later transferred to the 111th Area Support Group at Bee Cave Armory to be Unit Administrator from 1996-2000. Juanita would deploy overseas twice, supporting the NATO Peacekeeping mission in 1997-1998 stationed in Tazar, Hungary and seven years later serving in the Global War on Terrorism stationed in Kabul, Afghanistan, from 2005-2006.
Juanita's military service often inspires her paintings. "I've always been an artist in some form or fashion, even during deployments, I'd be called upon when there was a need for an artist's expertise, like painting the unit mascot on the barracks wall and I would visit museums during my Rest and Relaxation breaks." Juanita has also written and illustrated a children's novel published in 2012 titled "Mikmoh, Mouse of Cameroon," with the inspiration derived from challenges she faced early in her military career. Juanita continues to use art to help heal her PTSI. Juanita served 20 years of dedicated military service, retiring from the National Guard in 2007 with numerous state and federal service awards. E-mail: [email protected] |
Eve’s Garden
(prompt: “with snakes and roses”) 2025 16” X 20” With Dream Ai App |
Broken Angel II
2014 22” X 28” Oil on canvas |
Broken Angel II AI
(prompt: “with doves and ivy”) 2025 16” X 20” Ai generated painting on canvas |
Eiffel Tower (aka Ballooning in Paris)
2024 8” X 10” Acrylic & ink on canvas |
Eiffel Tower AI (prompt: “with ivy”)
2025 8” X 10” Ai generated |
Looking Forward
20” X 24” Oil on canvas |
Looking Forward AI
(prompt: “with snakes, poppies”) 16” X 20” AI generated painting on canvas |
The Muse
2022 11” X 14” Acrylic on canvas |
The Muse AI
(prompt: “with monarch butterflies”) 2025 11” X 14” Ai generated painting on canvas |
Shirley Ann RileySpecialist (SP4) Shirley Ann Riley enlisted in the US Army after college in January 1982 from Miami, Florida. She completed Basic Training at Fort McClellan in Anniston, Alabama and Advanced Individual Training at the US Army Signal Corps School at Fort Gordon in Augusta, Georgia from 1982 -1983. After completion of two military occupational specialties, 36 Hotel and 32 Delta; Shirley deployed to the 181st Signal Company at NATO Headquarters in Heidelberg, Germany to secure Autovon and Telecommunications Networks for US Army Europe from 1983 - 1985. During this deployment Shirley were enrolled in the United Services Military Apprenticeship Program for Technical Engineering to design CAD topographic maps and charts from 1983 - 1985. She also attended Basic Non Commissioned Officer Course and Primary Leadership from 1984 - 1985. Her final deployment was at the 490th Signal Company within the US Army Information System Command in Presidio San Francisco, California, to support the post PBX Electronic Switching System from 1985 – 1986.
Shirley received several service ribbons, achievement medals and qualification badges for her service. After leaving the military, Shirley worked in engineering for Motorola / Freescale Semiconductor Inc.for twenty three years. Now she focuses on fine art and graphic design. Growing up she was inspired by her late brother Jonathan Fredrick Riley and the famous Florida Highwaymen painters, Harold and Sam Newton of the Florida Inter-coastal region. As a member of the Artemis group, Shirley has exhibited in numerous exhibitions in Austin - at The Sharon and Brian Moore Alternative Space Gallery, Samaritan Center, Seminary Of The Southwest, ArtSpark, Parsons House, and the George Washington Carver Museum. As a native of Vero Beach, Fla, Shirley has also exhibited at the Raw Space Gallery there, and at the Gifford Youth Achievement Center, Gifford FLA. E-mail: [email protected] |
Coming Out of the Shadows
18” X 24” Mixed media – Microns Pens & Prismacolor Pencils A tribute to all military personnel who have serviced - and continue to serve our country. |
Denise KnebelDenise joined the United States Air Force (USAF) in 1981 and retired from service at the end of 2004. She is a disabled veteran with over 23 years of active duty. For her last assignment, she was selected to be the enlisted manager for her career field of over 10K personnel worldwide.
Denise has always used art as a therapeutic tool. After leaving the air force she pursued an art degree with a minor in psychology; and she also interned at ArtPace in San Antonio. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio in 2008. From 2009 to 2014, she worked as a Mobile Art Program teacher for the Southwest School of Art also in San Antonio. She joined the non-profit Art Spark in Austin TX in 2009 with their first annual Distinguished Veterans Art Exhibit. She began working Veteran Programming in 2010 and has been part of all aspects of evaluating, creating, planning, and conducting that programming in an effort to help active duty, veterans, their families/caregivers benefit from the healing powers of art. Apart from her work with ArtSpark, she also teaches visual arts classes for wounded soldiers at the Soldier Recovery Unit on Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio twice per month. Denise is Vice President of the non-profit Air Force Services Society, and the Veteran Service Officer for her local VFW Post in Lockhart, TX. Since 2005, she has participated in numerous shows in San Antonio, Austin, Kyle, and Temple, TX. She was part of a US-wide traveling domestic violence exhibit in 2007 and was part of the 2013 Swords to Plowshares exhibit in San Francisco, CA. Born and raised in the Hudson River Valley in upstate New York, she now lives between San Antonio and Houston Texas. E-mail: [email protected] |
“The Hunger”
Multi-Media – Acrylic, Alcohol Ink, Gel Pens, Spices, and Ephemera 12” x 18” |
“You’d Be So Much Prettier if You Smiled More…”
Mixed-Media – Acrylic, gel pens, Alcohol Ink, Ephemera, & Naproxen 16” x 20” |
Reflections (After NG Photo)
Watercolor and Conte on Watercolor Paper 9” x 11.5” |
Ordered Chaos
Cold Wax & Oil Paint, Oil Pastels, Charcoal, & Naproxen on Arches on Canvas Board 14” x 18” |
The “Color of Shadows”
Acrylic Paint, Oil Pastels, Military Uniform, and GCM on Canvas 32” x 36” |
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Mind Journey
Medium: Mixed-Media – Acrylic Paint, Chalk Pastels, Charcoal, & Acrylic Gel Medium 20” x 24” |
