Page 20 - SPIRIT-SPRING-2017-18 Flip Book

WomanofHeart Cor Jesu to Host Informational Meeting about New Tax Law

How did the idea for your pen name, Are you curious how the new tax law will affect your donations, as well as how you can use a 529 plan for private educa-
Violet Lemay, come about? tion? On Tuesday, April 24, 2018, Cor Jesu will host a complimentary professional panel discussion for alumnae and
Empowered intellectually, spiritually and morally, graduates When I got started as an illustrator, it others in our community regarding the new tax law and how it affects education funding (including the MOST 529
serve as responsible members of the global community. was important to be known for a very Plan), charitable giving, retirement planning, school loans, etc. A panel of experts will discuss this new information and
specific style. If you could develop a will answer any questions you may have:
Cathy Myler Fruisen ’85 second style using a second name, in · Christine Boushka Wealth Advisory Manager, RubinBrown
theory, you could have two sources
“Life without art would be dull and dreary, then of course, our art teacher Jeanne of income. So, I developed a second · Rob Funke Financial Advisor, Morgan Stanley/Market Street Group
lacking beauty, lacking empathy, lacking fun. Suda, was amazing! She taught me all · Erin Reuter Merkle ’03 Estate and Elder Law Attorney, Reuter Merkle Law Firm
I don’t like to think about it,” stated illustrator illustration style and invented the · Melissa Lenz Financial Advisor, Edward Jones
and art director, Cathy Myler Fruisen ’85. “Art,” the art basics that I still use every day name Violet Lemay. I chose “Violet”
she says, “is air, and we all need air to survive.” of my life, but above that, she taught because I like old-fashioned names · Angela Williams Ascensus College Savings (MOST)
So how has Cathy made art into some- me to be responsible, to budget my
thing so essential in her life? How does she and because “violet” can be three
share her gifts, those fostered at CJ and in time and to have fun with the work. things at once: a flower, a color and “THE NEW TAX LAW AND HOW IT AFFECTS YOU”
college, to help transform the world for good, Tommy Nolan, who was our drama a girl’s name. “Lemay” is where I’m Informational Panel Meeting
while also being transformed by its essence? teacher and directed the school the-
Cathy shared, via email, how her life as an from. Tuesday, April 24, 2018 | 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. | Cor Jesu Academy | RSVP: pferrara@corjesu.org
artist has helped her to not only follow her atre productions at the time, gave What advice do you have for CJ students
dreams but to live as the woman God created me all the space to concoct any idea and graduates who would like to pursue
her to be. I had. Most importantly, she told me their talents in the arts as a career?

Why do you believe the arts are so that I could study theater design in Start small and never give up. The ex-
important in schools and society as a college and become a professional pression, “it takes twenty years to be
whole? set and costume designer. My years an overnight success,” is very true... 2018 Class Reunion Committee Chairs
Art is self-expression! Every person is at Cor Jesu were some of the best. Ideas are small seeds to plant. Water
different and expresses him or herself Thanks to all the beautiful hearts who them daily. Even if at first it seems like
differently. Without art in school, ev- poured so much love into my life. not much is happening, stick with it! Attention, Classes of 1963, 1968, 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008, 2013!
The 2018 class reunion invitations will be arriving in the mail soon with all the details for the CJ girls-only reunion event, and
eryone would be denied creativity as Over time, if you don’t give up, some- we hope to see you here in June! Thank you to the following alumnae, who have volunteered to be on their reunion committee:
an outlet, and many students would What does your art career entail now? thing beautiful will grow. Making the
be denied their opportunity to really I currently have two jobs. First, I am creative process a regular part of your 1963 ~ 6/2/18: Rosanna Lingua Nichols, Janet Johnson Schmitz
shine and become who they’re meant a freelance illustrator, focusing al- daily life, even if you’re only able to 1968 ~ 6/2/18: Mary Ann Cracchiolo Comegys, Connie Reyering Gazaway, Mary Gravagna Gieseler, Denise Withus
Haddix, Sue Seliga Harris, Mary Ann Kohnen Hunzeker, Kathy Murphy, Helen Lubeley Murray,

to be. That is a horrible thought! most exclusively on children’s books. carve out 10 minutes a day, is the best Linda Koenig Neiner, Faith Roedder Olliges, Sr. Christian Price, ASCJ
Sometimes I also write, but mostly, I
How did your Cor Jesu education foster make art for books. Second, also as a reward. If you write one sentence a 1973 ~ 6/2/18: Mary Beth Farkas, JoAnn Bundschuh Gallen, Janet Gravagna
your artistic talents and prepare you to day for a year, you’ll have written a 1978 ~ 6/2/18: Michelle Brickey Anderson, Susan Reis Butler, Susan Ceriotti Gaughan, Sue Bante Hoffman,
pursue a career in art? freelancer, I am the art director at du- rough draft for a book. Karen Kearney, Tina Burniski Klocke, Edith Siener Meyer, Kathy Dunivin Mueckl
The entire teaching staff encouraged opress, a small independent publisher My basic advice to talented young 1983 ~ 6/9/18: Tracy Toenjes Nuelle
me constantly. They created an envi- of children’s books. artists is always the same: 1) Follow 1988 ~ 6/9/18: Laura Behrmann Gys, Holly Knox, Laurie Hunsicker Phillips
ronment that nurtured creativity. And What has been the most fulfilling aspect your dreams but allow your dreams 1993 ~ 6/2/18: Val Schremp Hahn, Anne Ponder Heilig, Carrie George Jost, Kathleen Hinrichs Mercury,
of your work as an artist? to change. Creativity comes in many Jennifer Wheelehon
Seeing kids enjoy the books is defi- forms. I started as a stage designer 1998 ~ 6/9/18: Maria Berns Miller, Renee Tomasella Streberger
nitely the most fulfilling. I’ve been and ended up a book illustrator. You 2003 ~ 6/9/18: Kelly Thuet Clapp, Alexis Bamvakais Hagenhoff, Kathleen Navin, Nancy Mueller Osterberg
lucky enough to work on a few books never know where life might take 2008 ~ 6/9/18: Jen Cleary, Molly Leonard, Lauren Runge Ungerott
for kids about fine artists – 100 Pablo you. Don’t put pressure on yourself to 2013 ~ 6/2/18: Christina Belt, Cassie Dace, Andrea Frein, Alena Hegger, Liz Horak, Allison Jedlicka,
Picassos and Artists and Their Pets. become one specific thing – instead, Abby Markus-Longland, Francesca Nicastro, Christina Sinak, Meg Walukonis
Being able to expose kids of all ages let yourself evolve. 2) Try very hard to To volunteer to be on your class reunion committee or for more information about the CJ class reunions, please contact
to art and art history is the best thing take on as little student loan debt as Patty Ferrara at 314.842.4429, ext. 266 or pferrara@corjesu.org or visit our website at www.corjesu.org/reunions.
ever! possible. 3) Never stop praying and We look forward to “getting mad for the plaid” with you at your reunion!
trusting God’s plan for your life!
This past December, Cathy Myler Fruisen ’85 visited CJ’s
Independent Study in Art class to share her story about Learn more about Cathy’s illustrations and
how her artistic flair has led to a fulfilling career. Cathy
is pictured with her former drama teacher, Tommy books at violetlemay.com.
18 COR JESU ACADEMY Nolan, who encouraged her to study theater design. SPIRIT • SPRING 2017-18 19