Sharon Kilfoy, Director of the Williamson Street Art Center, is a local artist whose paintings, murals, fabric pieces, and other artworks are widely collected.
Sharon has extensive experience teaching art to & making art with, people of all ages and abilities. She has been a guest artist through numerous artist-in-residency programs in schools, neighborhood centers and communities throughout the Midwest and Mexico.
Her background as a community artist combined with her formal training as a studio artist ensures that students & participants have fun while they learn.
Sharon specializes in bringing divergent people together through community art projects, which focus on shared aspects of history and culture. In the classroom setting, she utilizes an endless variety of materials in a curriculum she has developed to bring out students’ innate artistic capabilities while they build confidence.
Sharon’s reputation as an art instructor and arts administrator is proven and respected.
For more than 20 years, she used art to build resiliency in children from troubled families at the Respite Center, a 24-hour emergency/crisis childcare center in Madison Wisconsin. There, she developed a curriculum that uses art to help children recover from trauma. Sharon uses the knowledge she gained while making art with troubled children, to ensure that all people who work with her, experience art in a positive way.
Through the Williamson Street Art Center, Sharon combines her joy of making art with her ability to offer inspiration to others.
She is enthusiastic about providing a positive experience for those who choose to work with her or visit the center. Sharon is one of Willy Street’s most long-standing artists. She embodies the spirit of hopefulness, inclusion, and generosity for which Willy St is known.
From Sharon: “I have been married a bunch of times – have a bunch of kids & grandkids – and have worked under a bunch of names. In addition to Sharon Kilfoy, I have created art as Sharon Yopack, Sharon Kilfoy Yopack, Sharon Flores, Sharon Kilfoy de Flores and S.K.Y. Flores.”
“Over the years I have known Sharon she has had two main interests – art and kids. She has a natural gift for relating to kids. This has been enhanced by her work with at-risk kids at the Respite Center. Kids like and listen to Sharon. So do adults. I can assure you that she will accomplish what she proposes to do.”
Meg Miller, Director – The Respite Center
Awards & Recognitions
2020 – Colegio Katherine Marie Drexel – Guadalajara, Mexico – “for her outstanding trajectory full of dedication & love on the murals. Thank you for sharing a piece of your heart.”
2019 – Director of Primary Education – State of Jalisco Mexico –“for valuable support of the children of Tepatitlan, Jalisco” at Manuel Naverro de la Torre & Ignacio M Altamirano Schools.
2018 – State of Wisconsin proclamation signed by all nine Dane County state senators & state representatives –upon leaving Dane Arts Mural Arts –for “exemplifying a positive work ethic, demonstrating care & enriching lives through a legacy of public art which will continue to leave a more vibrant atmosphere for Dane County & Wisconsin residents for years to come.”
2018 – Northside Planning Council 25th Anniversary – Madison, WI – “North Star Change Maker” Award – for mural work on Madison’s Northside & years of service at Center for Families.
2018 – Madison Magazine “M List” – Innovation in the Arts “Legacy” Award.
2014 – Secretary of Public Education – Tepatitlan Mexico –” for her brilliant contribution to culture & art, as well as her incomparable devotion to Mexican children” at Manuel Naverro de la Torre School.
2014 – Isthmus Weekly Newspaper – Independent Business Award – “Neighborhood Notable” – for Willy St Art Center.
2013 – Center for Families – Madison, WI – “Good Works” Award – for service to the community, especially children & families, with a focus on art.
2012 – Marquette Neighborhood Association – Madison, WI – “Good Neighbor Award’ – for Marquette Neighborhood Arts Initiative.
2010 – Centro Hispano – Madison, WI – Institute for Cultural Arts (CHICA) Award – for mural-making work “celebrating the contribution of Hispanic art, culture and education to our community.”
2006 – “Know Your Madisonian” Wisconsin State Journal – focusing on Madison Sesquicentennial Quilt Project, which celebrated Madison’s 150th anniversary through a series of nine community art quilts.
CV
Click here to view Sharon’s resume