The work represented here is a sample and is not intended for duplication or print
without the expressed permission of the artist.
References & Feedback
Dawn Szweda, Willow staff:
[The visual arts team] collaboratively works alongside our Communications team, Events team and Programming and Production teams for a continuous look and feel throughout our church campus...[They are] also very resourceful and created items generally have multiple use options. [Their] creativity has flowed throughout our atrium and lobby and into the auditorium in set designs.
The team is multi-generational, inclusive and has a wide degree of artistic disciplines. They meet regularly for creative elements, community and spiritual growth. Kathleen has created an environment with her team that has created long-term commitment and high productivity. She challenges them and we, in return, are the recipients of their growth.
Donnalynn Collings, Willow staff and team teacher:
This Visual Arts (VA) team has been consistently producing creative, engaging, and visually stimulating installations since Kathleen took over the leadership of the team. Her commitment to providing ongoing training for her team is an indicator of her love of the creative process and demonstrates a developmental mindset that reflects Willow culture. I had the pleasure of attending a class that Kathleen taught as part of the classes@willow offerings. I learned quite a bit about the spiritual pathways of an artist through her teaching. I also enjoy receiving and reading the VA team e-mails. The team supports one another through prayer and team activities designed to build community. Individuals visiting our site frequently comment on the excellence and wonder of the visual artwork in our building.
Anne Weirich, team member:
I am a member of the Willow Crystal Lake Visual Arts team. I love that my church allows people with a passion for the arts to use their gifts within our church to point people towards Christ. I often do not have as much time available as I would like but Kathleen has been a tremendous leader in inspiring her team and making people feel welcome as being a part of the team. Kathleen's leadership gifts do not end with her creative expertise and passion. Kathleen keeps the communication flowing to encourage engagement and offer support. Kathleen brings much more than just her tremendous artistic talents to the table. She has the ability to humbly lead a team of artistic adventurers as they serve the church through their art.
Judy Ferguson, team member and former Willow staff:
Kathleen has shown an uncommon excellence in the key qualities that make a good leader. She cares for her team members, communicating regularly with them and is genuinely concerned about their well-being....She is a great project manager, structuring a concept well in advance, demonstrating good use of time, money and volunteer resources. Her ability to lead the team in developing new projects is done with great skill. Her volunteers appreciate her openness and ability to draw each team member into the process without awkwardness...Our congregation is the beneficiary of her amazing talent.
Angela Koskavage, team member:
I have been serving under the leadership of Kathleen Isacson on the visual arts team for the last few years at Willow Crystal Lake. Kathleen has been a creative inspiration to me. Her ideas have not only blessed the church building visually, but so many of those who enter, have been able to see Christ and the purpose of the messages leading them in and out of the auditorium doors. She leads and directs us in brain-storming meetings. It amazes me how she reorganizes even the simplest thought someone may throw out to stimulate our creative juices and to encourage us to grow one simple idea into the main objective for any given series topic.
She is an excellent leader and organizer who is blessed with the capabilities of using both sides of her brain most successfully. The visual arts team is another large part of why I continue to attend Willow Crystal Lake. The group is open to EVERYONE. There has never been a feeling that my work is not good enough nor is there favoritism to those who have great accomplishments. It's all about God's work and what would witness to others the very best for Him. She sees each of us for our creative gifts, utilizes and encourages and stretches us to use all of what God has given us to be the very best for Christ. I am honored to serve with her.
David Gelwicks, team member:
I have come to know Kathleen through the Willow Creek Visual Arts Team for which she is our fearless leader. She has a heart for the arts and a passion to develop the artistic talents of artists who are just beginning and those who are well accomplished. Kathleen brings this widely assorted, sometimes eccentric, group together in a unifying purpose to include all artists to promote the arts at Willow. She is kind, caring, quietly modest about her own artistic accomplishments, always willing to recognize others first.
David Leigh, Willow McHenry member and team teacher:
I've had the privilege of working with Kathleen on a number of occasions and have also watched her work as a leader and creative organizer. As an artist her work is beautiful and speaks for itself. As a team leader and organizer she is remarkable! She's a great communicator and an inspired mind, with an engaging personality and a determined drive. I highly recommend her to anyone who is considering working with her.
Kathleen Sheetz, team member:
Besides being a uniquely gifted artist with a fabulously creative mind, Kathleen has been a strong nurturing and compassionate shepherd/leader to me and the rest of the VA team. I have not seen anyone work harder than she does in every aspect of the creative process including conceptualization, visualization, articulating a vision to her team, breaking a vision down into do-able steps for people of differing skill levels, and being a part of rendering the final art. She has been an encouraging cheerleader to all of us, making each of us feel a valued and important part of the team, regardless of our level of artistic skill. She teaches us, encourages us, prays for us, and draws us out. She's been a wonderful creative shepherd/leader.
Alison Easler, team member:
Kathleen provides direction, but at the same time is inclusive of everyone's ideas and talents. She seems to be able to use everyone's talents in some way and I always feel appreciated for my work. I also have observed that Kathleen always makes honoring God and making an impact for Jesus the primary purpose of our work. We also share wonderful fellowship with each other. She also provides valuable training experiences for us. I could go on and on...! I've never been on any other team that combines using each person's talents, caring and praying for each other, and keeping our focus on serving God in such a meaningful way. Also, she effectively uses technology in communicating and addressing others' needs, i.e. the blog [Facebook group] she set up to share with others.
