The Traverse Area District Library is pleased to welcome local artist, Cheri Grinnell Arciniega to the Woodmere (Main) Branch as the featured Artist for the month of February. Cheri's contemporary artwork will be on display in the McGuire Community Room. A closing reception with be held Saturday, February 25 from 4-5:30 p.m. The public is encouraged to attend, meet Cheri, and view her vibrant paintings.

CHERI GRINNELL ARCINIEGA | ARTIST BIO

At the age of five Cheri Grinnell Arciniega knew she would be an artist.  She was selected to design and paint her elementary school hallway. In high school she took every art class, painted windows, and entered competitions and festivals. She learned to sew and commissioned small jobs on the side.

For the last 25 years Cheri has been utilizing her artistic talent as a licensed nail technician painting and designing fingers and toes in the salon setting, also participating in nail art competitions.

Through the encouragement of a friend, Cheri was encouraged to take a watercolor class from a local artist 10 years ago which gave her an artistic "re-awakening".  Cheri's concentration is now in acrylic paints and mixed media on canvas.   She has been commissioned to paint and has sold her work locally.   She feels her inspiration comes from surrounding herself with artists and supporting the arts and education in her community.

Cheri has been an active board member for the Artcenter, Traverse City for 5 years and has continued learning and studying from artists throughout the United States.

Although she has had no formal training Cheri says she loves to cultivate her passion and God given talent to share with others and create art regardless of training.

Cheri's motto is, "play with art to unleash your inner creativity."