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Elaine Ackley Witteveen Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted May. 24, 2015 at 2:00 AM Updated May 26, 2015 at 8:23 AM Posted May. 24, 2015 at 2:00 AM Updated May 26, 2015 at 8:23 AM » Social News Elaine Ackley Witteveen January 20, 1917 - March 22, 2015 A memorial gathering to celebrate the life, accomplishments, and friendship of Jacksonville Artist Elaine Witteveen will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 30, 2015 at the Art Presence Gallery on the grounds of the Old Courthouse in Jacksonville. Elaine was the instigator, the enthusiasm, the energy, and the creativity behind the founding of the Jacksonville Artists’ Workshop in 1979. A resident of Jacksonville for the last 51 years, she enjoyed being involved in community life, seemed to have friends everywhere she went, and loved sharing the beauty she found wherever life took her. She faced life with a positive attitude, and, if you asked for her opinion --- on most anything --- you should expect a candid answer. Born and raised in Chicago, Elaine was a child with a passion for drawing and painting. She attended Saturday classes at the Chicago Art Institute when she was in grade school, and she won a scholarship to the Art Institute while she was in high school. Her first job was as an illustrator at Rotary International headquarters. Pursuing more formal education, Elaine enrolled at the American Academy of Art at night. That’s when she met her late husband John Witteveen, always affectionately called “Johnny.” John served overseas with the military during World War II, Elaine completed a year toward a Masters in Art History, and when John returned home, they followed their dream and headed west. They settled in Eugene in 1946 and started a printing business. Along with doing the art layouts, Elaine was taking art classes at the University of Oregon and teaching outdoor painting at the Maude Kerns Art Center. She is recognized as one of the founders of the Eugene Art Center. The Witteveens moved to Jacksonville in 1964, bought the historic house on North Oregon Street from Doc Griffin, set up their printing business, and opened Witteveen Studio and Gallery. Concentrating on color printing, they were soon to be respected by Western artists, who, before this time, had to have their art printed in the East. Elaine became the typesetter for the company, the marketing manager, and the distribution manager – and she continued to paint. Elaine traveled both locally and abroad to paint. In 1972, she studied at the Samuel Provenzano Studio in Florence, Italy. Deciding a few years later that it would be nice to have people to work and paint with, Elaine approached the Rogue Gallery in Medford and asked if they would sponsor an artists’ workshop. “It must have been a good idea,” she would admit, “because it has been a success from the beginning.” Today, the Rogue Valley Artists’ Workshop involves more than 60 artist who work in all media and at all levels. Elaine was appointed to on the Oregon Arts Commission by Governor Bob Straub. For over 48 years, Elaine was an active member of the First Church of Christ Scientist in Medford. She served many positions, working with children and taking her turn as reader. Earlier this year, Elaine was honored with a one-woman show at the Rogue Gallery and Art Center in Medford. The exhibit included 40 paintings she had produced during the last 20 years. After years of creating realistic work, she had moved to acrylic abstract and collage. “I love having been able to create all these images, even if the occasional viewer does ask, ‘What is it supposed to be.” she said. Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur W. and Pansy Beulah Ackley Horton; a brother, Ivan Horton; and her husband, John. She is survived by a niece, Holly Ulseth, Peoria, Arizona and a host of friends and neighbors who considered themselves her “tribe.” MailTribune.com Writer Posted May. 24, 2015 at 2:00 AM Updated May 26, 2015 at 8:23 AM You may leave your condolences or share memories by signing the Guest Book here » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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