Every December, no matter how one celebrates, we are called upon to examine the meaning of giving. Sometimes it’s an extravagant gift or an impressive display, but equally it can be something seemingly insignificant that carries meaning for only the receiver. It is not the gift, but the intention that counts. So-it-is also with the giving of things that are intangible yet offer great effect. Things such as opportunity, attribution, belief, true passion and caring, and the gifts that bring success to those that truly need and deserve it.
JOAN EDWARDS
When we think of Motown we think of music - When the motor city thinks of aesthetic design it thinks of Joan Edwards. As a design quality expert for both Tesla and Ford, she bridged the gap between engineering and art. Today she brings together that accomplished vision with purposeful and creative giving. Joan’s mission is to connect people with dynamic audiences, help oppressed, under-served people, and thereby create productive, mindful, and inclusive community around and for the arts.
Co-owner of CREATE GALLERY AND FRAMES in Garden City, Joan is poised and ready to give back. “Opening an art gallery was a logical next step to put my experience to good use, but that is the business part of me.” She explains, “This is the time in my life when I want to use my skills to help people. I am happiest when people come together to learn and share their stories and work together to create new and joyful experiences. Create Gallery is about manifesting special events like workshops, skills development training, and providing opportunities for a wide range of people including professional and aspiring artists. For us, these opportunities go hand-in-hand with the showing and selling of art.”
From participating with organizations that are working to stop human trafficking in Idaho to shaping fund raising events and performances that help underserved communities, Joan hopes to bring a better quality of life to everyone that works with her and the gallery. Recently, she and her husband (co-owner of the gallery) Leo Bratenas, hosted an evening for Wendy Carver-Herbert who is running for Garden City Council. “This was a community building event and Wendy is a candidate that I believe in. We live and work here in Garden City and politics are a part of creating positive change in our town. So, we back what we believe in and hope to pass it forward.” This holds true for all the events that Joan is planning for 2026.
What began as Aesthetic intelligence, as it is known in the automotive industry, has evolved into a larger more inclusive passion. A vision that promotes beauty, strength, security, and know-how. “If I could give humanity anything it would be choices. The ability to choose how you live and what you know opens doors to all possibilities”. This is Joan’s sacred mission and she knows how to get there.
LORELLE RAU
Lorelle Rau is an art bridge. Like the Paul Simon song she stretches over those waters and eases the way between artists and commercial collectors. What it takes to do this is more than just a business transaction – it is an act of devotion and caring that requires patience, skill, and a loving heart. Though she is highly educated and degreed in all things art and art management, her real desire is more akin to the healing arts in a spiritual way. She brings the gift of solace and aesthetic assurance to her client’s along with her expertise in art placement. An accomplished artist in her own right, Lorelle understands what it means to be immersed in a field that she is passionate about, and also what art brings to the viewer.
“I love to draw out of people what they connect with and show them how to apply it aesthetically. I help the businesses that I serve to find identity and I work with them on defining and matching the art to the company values and what they wish to project. This always ends up being a very healing and cathartic experience for people – especially if they haven’t made these kinds of visual choices before.” She expands by saying, “This is true for the artists involved as well. There are always deeper things going on behind the attractiveness of an image. Artists like to feel that their work is really being seen for its intrinsic worth, not just as a pretty decorative object. This is where I come in as an art bridge – I explain them each to each other in terms that work for everyone, including me. I have been told that this is a great gift to give, which it is my pleasure and passion to do.”
Quality of both product and experience is very important to Lorelle. “I want to bring the most value that I can to the process. It is a very personal and tailored approach for each individual both collectors and artists. The greater part of what I do is to demonstrate the effects of art in a space. So, I have to be sensitive to how people feel about the work, where it is going, and what purpose it serves. It wouldn’t be much of a gift, if they can’t enjoy it. I wish for the art to affect them deeply in a good and lasting way”. A gift that keeps on giving.