Darlene's first career was that of a registered nurse, including 5 years in the U.S. Navy.  This brought her cross country from her childhood home in New Jersey to the state of California.  She took advantage of her GI Bill benefits to attend college and follow her dream of becoming an artist.  Thus began her second career as a "professional student"!   These were the days of a thriving and vibrant Fiber Art movement centered in California and Darlene soon found herself in the midst of it in the Fiber Department at California State University, Long Beach.   After five years of study, she received a Bachelors of Fine Arts with Great Distinction in Textile Design.

When her husband was transferred to Tucson, AZ a few years later, Darlene was pleasantly surprised to find a dynamic art community.  She quickly became active in the Tucson Handweavers and Spinners Guild, participated in workshops as both a student and teacher, and became a juried member of the Arizona Designer Craftsmen.  She also became a juried member and co-owner of Desert Artisans' Gallery, where she eventually served as president.   During this period, she exhibited her work regionally and nationally in many juried and invitational shows, where she was the recipient of several awards.

After more than six years in the desert, the couple decided to move to a cooler climate and Colorado beckoned.  They purchased Riverbend Resort in the eastern San Juan mountain town of South Fork.  Life was good but being a lodging owner left little time to create art.  9 1/2 years later they sold Riverbend and Darlene was once again a full time artist.  With two friends she started Mountain Artisans' Gallery, but has decided to focus her time and energy on being a studio artist, and is no longer a gallery owner

Darlene's work has been carried by galleries in Arizona, California, Illinois, New Mexico and Colorado.   

RECENT EXHIBITIONS

2010:  Handweavers Guild of America Convergence, Albuquerque, NM, July 21-25                    FASHION  SHOW AND EXHIBIT, two pieces accepted

           Memorial Art Gallery, Colorado University, Boulder, CO, April 5 to May 21                    FIBER RECONNECTIONS: In celebration of Colorado Weavers Day                            sponsored by the Handweavers Guild of Boulder

2008:  Lincoln Center, Fort Collins, CO, May 16 to June 24
           FIBER CELEBRATION: An international mixed media fiber exhibit sponsored
           by the Northern Colorado Weavers Guild

2007:   Translations Gallery, Denver, CO
             OFF THE WALL: A show of innovative 3 Dimensional Fiber and Textile
             Creations by Surface Design Association members in the Southwest Region.

 2006:    Rio Grande County Museum, Del Norte, CO
             WEAVERS OF THE VALLEY

             The Art & Cultural Center, Adams State College, Alamosa, CO
             WEAVERS OF THE VALLEY

              Handweavers Guild of America Convergence, Grand Rapids, MI
              FASHION SHOW & EXHIBIT

              Handweavers Guild of America Convergence, Grand Rapids, MI
              GRAND WELCOME BANNER EXHIBIT at the Fredrick Meijer
             Gardens and Sculpture Park

AWARDS

 2008   Fiber Celebration Silk Jacket “Madder of Fact”
           Second Place Wearables
           Dharma Trading Company Award

1996    Town of South Fork Logo Design

 1991    Intermountain Weavers Conference Banner Design

 1990    Matsuri: A Festival of Japan, Phoenix, AZ
             First Place, Fine Arts Competition, shibori felt quilt

 1989    Small Expressions
             Second Place, tapestry neckpiece

 1987    Small Expressions
             First Place, tapestry neckpiece

 1987    Handwoven Magazine: Designs on You
             3rd place prize for dress and jacket

PUBLICATIONS 

Shuttle Spindle & Dyepot, Fall 2006, pg. 50, silk jacket photo

 Handwoven, March/April 2004, pg. 46, woven dress photo

 Signed, Sealed & Remembered Gift Catalog, 1990/91

 Shuttle Spindle & Dyepot, Winter 1989/90, pg. 29, tapestry neckpiece

 Handweavers Guild of America slide kit: "Floor Works - Rugs in the 80's"

 Shuttle Spindle & Dyepot, Winter 1987, pg. 81, tapestry neckpiece

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Handweavers Guild of America
Surface Design Association
Handweavers Guild of Boulder
Rocky Mountain Weavers Guild