Windsong Acres wraps up celebration of artist’s work

CAMP POINT, Ill. — Hundreds of residents have turned out to view the lifetime of international artistic achievements of one Adams County artist.

Shelly Rasche of Camp Point has produced thousands of designs over her 38 year career found on store shelves across the nation and around the world. Now all her creative talents are on display as part of a celebration of her achievements at Windsong Acres, located outside of Camp Point.

Visitors to the free display are able to view thousands of her more than 7,000 designs…and can take home a piece of her art for themselves.

All proceeds go towards development of an academic scholarship in her name to Central High School.

There’s still time to view the art before the celebration ends this weekend. 

Thursday, August 11 — 10a.m.-5p.m.

Friday, August 12 — 10a.m.- 8p.m.

Saturday, August 13—  10a.m.-5p.m. (Home tours 3p.m.-5p.m.)

Sunday, August 14 — 11a.m.-3p.m.

The three week event has featured:

• Comprehensive displays of her paintings, drawings, and pottery, along with “Stories from behind the scenes”. 
• Candlelit dinners with a special program and open house each Saturday evening by reservation. 
• Silent auction of some of Shelly’s never-before-offered items to create a scholarship for local art students. 

Shelly has struggled with Alzheimer’s disease for the last several years. And while she still enjoys sitting at the pottery wheel, the progression of her condition over time has gradually changed her work. It’s also slowly stolen her memories. The celebration will honor Shelly’s four decades of success in her craft, but it serves a bigger purpose. Her husband, Jeff Rasche, says it allows Shelly to see her life’s work come together before her memory disconnects from what her mind and her hands have created.  

“During this time of transition, it seemed important to pause and celebrate all of her achievements during her remarkable career,” said Rasche. “She has produced thousands of pieces of artwork during her career. We have so many samples of the products made from her art. Instead of storing them away, we decided to get them out, document them and offer them to the community to enjoy.”

From there, the idea of Shelly’s celebration was born.  And while this event marks the culmination of her work, Rasche hopes it will be a springboard for the dreams of local art students.  He plans to auction many of the items with proceeds going to a newly created scholarship at Central High School.

“We both feel grateful for all the support we have received from people in this area over the years,” said Rasche.  “It is a joy to have the chance to ‘pay it forward’ to offer a little bit of support for a young person on their journey.”

“I hope that family, friends, former students and everyone who has come to know Shelly will find a print or figurine or some other item that will always remind them of her; her love of nature and the beauty around us, her kindness, her love of animals, her quiet faith, and her friendship.  I hope that even people who do not know Shelly personally will take home one or more items that mean something to them or give them a smile.”

There are countless pieces of art to see and enjoy during the upcoming celebration.  Shelly produced thousands of designs for countless products over the course of her career.  Some include greeting cards, ornaments, plush animals, music boxes, puzzles, clothing, fabric, counted cross stitch kits, yard flags, baby bedding, wall paper, candles, and much more. 

Shelly’s art took she and her husband around the world.  Rasche says he’s thankful to have been her partner in business and in life.

“The best thing is that I was not in a passive role…from the very beginning, Shelly’s artwork was always our shared adventure,” said Rasche. “I loved seeing every single new design she created, so every day there was something new to see and admire. Early on I was involved in the marketing as her “manager,” and then later even when an agency took over the role of promoting her artwork, I was still involved at home in everything from making copies and dashing to the nearest FedEx, to business trips. We got to share in both the disappointment of rejections and the joys of acceptance.”