Our Artists

Irene Kononova

Painter

Irena Kononova is a Russian born artist who presently resides in the Bay Area. She graduated from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts where she was a recipient of the Cresson Traveling Scholarship and various prizes. The academy featured her painting on the school poster. During her years in Philadelphia, Irena had won a prestigious juried show at the Fleisher Art Memorial and was interviewed many times for local newspapers. She was featured in a dialog on Art in Exile on Fresh Air program on the National Public Radio. Among Ms. Kononova's commissions is a cycle of monumental murals for the headquarters of GlaxoSmithKline , Inc. She held solo exhibitions at Maturango Museum and Peninsula Museum of Art. The artist exhibits widely throughout the US. In October 2013 "Russian America" published an editorial on Irena's work at the Houston International Art Fair. Her solo shows were presented at Peninsula Museum of Art, AQUA Art Miami, Sandra Lee Gallery in San Francisco, Dalet Gallery in Philadelphia and Time In Art Gallery in New York City.

Valerie Quade

Stained Glass Artist

Valerie Quade, born in Oakland, California, grew up in Raleigh North Carolina. At age 22, she returned to California, to Los Angeles to pursue acting. During this period she earned an Associate of Arts degree from Santa Monica College. In addition, she earned a BA degree in Journalism from California State University Northridge(CSUN). During college, Valerie studied photography, filmmaking, and ceramics. Meanwhile, Valerie fell into real estate sales to supplement her living, a talent she had yet to explore.