Hope Lives: Art for ALS
Research Renderings

A collaboration between IEA & Hope Lives: Art for ALS 

Research Renderings includes forty-three stunning artworks created by 29 wax-media member artists of International Encaustic Artists. Members were invited to review and select one ALS research photograph to inspire up to three new artworks. The resulting exhibition is thematically cohesive and relates to how a person's body is affected by an ALS diagnosis: muscle tissue atrophy, spinal cord nervous system collapse and the loss of brain neuron and synapse function. 

Some of the artists focused on the duality that is present in the research images - the beauty and the destruction. Others reflected on ideas like transformation, hope, the role of a caregiver and the ALS community. All participating artists applied with artwork that was studied, thoughtful, technically advanced and emotive. We sincerely thank each artist for their heartfelt contributions. 

Contributing Artists: Gwen Anderson, Karen Buttwinick, Tracy Cassagrande Clancy, Joy DeNicola, Karen Faller, Conrad Reis Fernandez, Anne Fjeld, Isabelle Gaborit, Rinat Goren, Nash Hyon, Jennifer Kerszetes, Lyn Kirkland, Carol Lelivelt, Roxane Mayeur, Deborah Paulsen, Cherie Peters, Tami Phelps, Regina B. Quinn, Michele Randall, Josie Rodriguez, Marie Rossettie, Heidi Rufeh, Susan Sarver, Caryl St. Ama, Joan Stolpen, Mindy Tillery, Angela Vitosinscaia, Trudie Wolking and Leslie Yolen

Please join us in congratulating the 3 winners
of the Lynn Giovannelli Awards of Excellence in the Arts

To Life Award - Artwork that reflects on life's preciousness and how we can make a difference in the lives of others. Exhibits intermediate techniques, an inviting palette and definitive theme.

Recipient: Lyn Kirkland - "Who I am is more important than what I do"

Inquiry Award - Artwork that signifies the power of knowledge. Features definitive elements that encourage viewers to think about people living with ALS, ALS research or how ALS research ignites and propels scientists and the ALS community. 

Recipient: Mindy Tillery - "ALS 2"

Hope Award - Artwork focuses on the preciousness of time and/or examines how an ideology or faith can transcend pain and suffering. 

Recipient: Carol Lelivelt -"Intertwined"

          ~                                                    ~                                                           ~                                   Due to special circumstances, the following paintings are not in the Research Renderings Web Gallery:

Connected

Carol Lelivelt
Photo encaustic on panel
10 x 10 x 2 inches 
$350

Intertwined
Carol Lelivelt
Photo encaustic & oil pastel on panel
16 x 20 x 2 inches
$700

Focused
Carol Lelivelt
Photo encaustic & pigment stick on panel
10 x 10 x 2 inches
$350

Indeed, Hope Lives
Tracy Cassagrande Clancy
Encaustic, oil paint & collage on panel
12 x 12 x 1.75 inches
$675

Firing Synapses
Karen Faller
Encaustic & pigment sticks on panel
11 x 14 x 1 inches
$450

To see the web gallery, click here.  

About the Curator

Melissa Stephens, founder of Hope Lives: Art for ALS, is an encaustic painter, photographer and printmaker who has spent 15 years educating children and adults in the arts. She received a BA in Art from Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, IA. She is an encaustic painting instructor and advocate for the arts in Walnut Creek, CA. Her encaustic paintings explore themes of: healing and hope, and show in galleries regionally and nationally.

In 2022 she co-founded NorCAL Wax, a Chapter of the IEA. That same year, Stephens created Hope Lives: Art for ALS to honor her sister who was diagnosed with ALS in July 2020. She has served as the Social Media Chair of Valley Art Gallery in Walnut Creek, CA since 2016. In 2024 she began serving as the Exhibition Director for the IEA.

Visit Melissa's Hope Lives: Art for ALS website.