IN MEMORIAM: ANN CHENNAULT (1934-2023)
Ann Chennault, beloved by past NAWA presidents, died in Texas in 2023. She was hired in 1983 to staff NAWA’s headquarters at 41 Union Square West, New York City. As Executive Secretary from 1983 to 2003, she was affectionately known as the “Mama of NAWA.” Below are some tributes from past NAWA presidents who knew her:
Penny Dell, NAWA President from 2005 to 2007
“I joined NAWA in 1991 when it was headquartered at an artist-filled building at 41 Union Square West. Ann Chennault presided with grace and charm over a no-frills space: a desk with a phone, typewriter, papers, nearby filing cabinets, a closet—storage space for coats and folding chairs. Ann’s official designation was ‘Executive Secretary’ but she was much more than that. Metal chairs were pulled out from the closet and set up around her desk for meetings. She was there for all the committee meetings—Exhibition, Publicity, Fundraising—and knew the answers to all questions—a most valuable player. With her wonderful Southern drawl and impish humor, she calmed down all crises. She was there for a succession of presidents, but also was every artist’s best friend. After many years of seeing her magic, I became one in the succession line—NAWA President from 2005 to 2007. By then, NAWA’s headquarters had moved to 5th Avenue and 14th Street, and NAWA had, in addition to office space, a gallery, which doubled as meeting space. To this day, I think of her as the ‘Mama of NAWA.’ She was amazing. She worked at NAWA for 20 years and, after a brief rest, went off to work for the American Watercolor Society for another 20 years. So happy I got to interview and record a bit of her in NAWA’s “Living Legacy” series.
Madeleine Segall-Marx, NAWA President from 1999 to 2002
Not long after I joined NAWA, I was approached to become a board member. In those days, the board consisted of artist members who each was in charge of one of the workings of the organization. I agreed to be in charge of the traveling painting exhibitions, and that began a huge and lovely learning curve for me.
At the center of everything was Ann Chennault. Presidents of the organization came and went. But Ann was always at the helm, there to answer any question and to resolve any issue. When I became president in 1999, Ann said to me, “We will check in on the phone every morning.” Every morning?? I was aghast! This was a volunteer job! But it was so. My daily call with Ann became the highlight of my three years at the NAWA helm. Most of all, I could make her laugh easily. I think if I were allowed to keep just one memory from NAWA, I would take the sound of Ann’s laugh.
This woman who uprooted her Texan self and came to New York City on a dream became the glue that helped build and strengthen a then 100-year-old organization of women. Her wit, her art, her softness, her resolve, kept us all going. But for me, she was more: an important friend to me, to whom I could and did open my soul. I shared everything with her, and this friendship helped me to personally grow. Without her I would be a somewhat different person.
She taught me an expression that she harvested from Texas, to let me know when everything was ready, when everything was all right. She would say that things were “all saucered and blowed.” If you don’t catch that, it is like getting your cup of coffee served ready to drink. Just so.
“My Ann” brought me the warmth of the southern sun, here among the shadows of New York City concrete and stone. I am so sorry to lose her.
Janet Indick, NAWA President from 1997 to 1999
Ann Chennault was a wonderful person who worked as a secretary-director for NAWA for many years before computer and printers were developed. She kept NAWA together by using a typewriter, pen, pencil and paper, and a telephone, and her gentle personality.
She kept track of our monthly artist board meetings, finances, annual exhibits,
juried exhibits, and memberships, while keeping everyone happy. As NAWA’s employee, she was not allowed to exhibit her artwork in any of our exhibits, yet our working board member artists were able to enter any show that they were juried into. As a Vice President and later as President, I was able to convince the board member artists to vote and allow her to exhibit, which she did—and won awards.
IN MEMORIAM: NESSA GRAINGER
NAWA has received news of the death of former NAWA President Nessa Grainger, who was born on September 15, 1934, in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Grainger’s education included a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Philadelphia College of Art (f/k/a Pennsylvania Museum and School of Industrial Art), postgraduate study at the Tyler School of Art, Philadelphia, and Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. She began her art career as a watercolorist, working only on watercolor paper, but moved to mixed water-media that included watercolor and acrylics on paper or canvas with a lot of layering.
Some of her notable achievements include artist-in-residence at Lafayette College, Easton, Pennsylvania, The Banana Factory, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and The Somerset Art Association, New Jersey.
Grainger became a member of NAWA in 1976 at the suggestion of an artist colleague. Her membership submission received first prize for a watercolor. She ascended to the presidency of NAWA in 1989. “It was a great honor to be President of NAWA and it gave me a platform where I was able to guide other women artists,” she said.
In addition to her presidency of NAWA from 1989 to 1991, Grainger served as corresponding Secretary and President of the Board of Directors. She also served as President of the New Jersey Watercolor Society, Vice President of the American Watercolor Society and a board member of Allied Artists.
IN MEMORIAM: RITA KAPLAN HERZFELD
Abstract expressionist painter, Rita Kaplan Herzfeld, born August 6, 1936 in New York City, died December 29, 2023, in New Jersey. She is survived by her creative partner and loving husband of 30 years, Mr. Peter S. Arakawa, three children, seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, three brothers and two sisters.
An accomplished abstract expressionist painter, Herzfeld formally trained at Rutgers University where she received her B.A. and studied with Leon Golub and Joan Semmel. Additionally, she studied at Livingston College, The Arts Students League, The School of Visual Arts and The City College of New York, and with Rex Gorley and Robert Cooke.
Herzfeld wrote, “From an early age, I wanted to be an artist. I would watch my mother as if by magic produce animals and children with just a pencil & paper. I realized I had the power to make my own world right at my fingertips.”
Arakawa said, “Rita was the first born into a working-class family and became the woman every artist would dream of. Diligent, hard-working, caring, friendly, and witty, “les arts” would capture her spirit at a very young age, and by the time of her schooling she managed to know the meaning of ‘The Abstract.’ Like most unheralded artists, she did not waver in her commitment to pursue her love of painting, and with brush in hand she painted right up to her passing. It is with great sorrow that we have lost another one of our soldiers in her lines of duty.”
Herzfeld had solo exhibits at The Chubb Atrium Gallery, Johnson & Johnson Corporate Headquarters, A.I.R. Gallery, East L.A. Gallery and the Douglass College Library. Group exhibitions included Gary Snyder Fine Art, River Run Gallery, Monmouth Museum, Hunterdon Museum of Art, City Without Walls Gallery, International Gallery Pusan (Korea) and the Academy of Fine Arts in Tianjin, China.
Brian McCormack of Hamilton Street Gallery in New Jersey represented Herzfeld’s work over the years and wrote, “Rita has a more spontaneous and emotional approach to her art. Her brush strokes ignite fuel cells of rhythmic patterns and colors energized by an anomaly of shapes and swirls.”
May her memory be a blessing.
IN MEMORIAM: ELISE MORENON
Elise Morenon was born in Paris, France, in 1939 and raised in Boston, MA. She was a scenic artist who drifted from theater work to become one of the significant watercolorists of her time. She was loved, by all who knew her, for her gentle humanity and helpfulness. She was widely respected for her knowledge and art.
Elise died at home in her adopted New York City on April 19, 2023. She is greatly missed.
Elise was a recipient of the Grumbacher Silver Medal, 1982,1990; Jurors Special Choice Award, National Arts Club, New York City, 1985. She was a Member of the American Watercolor Society, Midwest Watercolor Society (Awards 1978, 1982), National Association of Women Artists (Awards 1978, 81, 83, 86, 89), Allied Artists of America (Award 1997), and Philadelphia Water Color Society (Award 1992).
