November 25 - January 24, 2026
The Suzie Viemeister Emerging Artist Residency provides artists, ages 17+, the opportunity to further develop their artistic skills and the business behind art while being supported by creative professionals and artists.
2025 Suzie Viemeister Emerging Artist - Andrea Wild
Born and raised in Germany I was on my path to move to Costa Rica, when I was intercepted by a tall guy at JFK airport who later became my husband. We decided to live together in the United States and raise a family. Along the way, I wore many hats: a wife, healthcare professional, gardener, farmer, cheesemaker, wool processor, mother, goat midwife, an artist, outdoor enthusiast, and more; always learning, always curious. Now, many moves and moons later, we settled in Bedford, VA for our country home. Our children are grown and the farm shrank down a bit, so we both can devote more time to our art. This is why I applied for and became the emerging artist of the year at the Bower Center
At an early age, I saw my father “make stuff”, work on the home, watch him work and ask the why and how. My grandmother taught me sewing, knitting and crochet, not because she thought I ought to know, but because I wanted to; I wanted to “make stuff” too. I painted mostly horses and princesses back then, a little girl’s dreamworld.
Early on, by my own choice and for school field days, I visited museums, including art museums. I watched “the little mouse” TV show, which explained how everyday things are made, from the ground up.
My art became making clothes, painting the walls into murals, weaving rugs and curtains for the house, planting flowers, making personal gifts. I guess art is a way of life for me. Art is what I do after a stressful day at work, it’s where I go on a vacation; its how I spend a lot of free time; it’s the kind of people I like to spend time with.
While my feet are rooted firmly on the natural world, I also am a Trekkie with my eyes and head in the stars, with an interest in humans, their diversity, history, and archaeology. This is why I work in many mediums and do not have a preferred subject; there is just too much more to do and explore!
