Andrea (Busker) Van Wyk has been teaching Visual Art classes at Pella Community Schools since graduating from Central College (‘84). Following the completion of her Masters degree in Art Education from Iowa State University (‘99), Andrea has been teaching Art Appreciation for DMACC at Pella High School and is the adjunct professor for the Elementary and Secondary Methods of Art Education at Central College.  Andrea and her husband Mike live and farm east of Pella.  They have two children: a daughter, Sarah Flaherty (married to Dan) who have four children, and a son Ross (married to Madelyn).

Andrea has exhibited solo shows of her work in Iowa and Illinois, most recently at the Quad Cities Airport, the Quad Cities Botanical Center, Simpson College, Indian Hills Community College, Central College, Iowa State University, the Des Moines Central Library and Mars Cafe.  You can find Andrea on Instagram at AndreaVanWykArt and you can view all her work at AndreaVanWyk.com.

Artist Statement:

“I am a lifelong learner, continuously discovering and exploring.  I am a combination of my experiences and a synthesis of my family, traveling, teaching, and reading.  My current paintings are an exploration of organic subjects from gardens as close as the Des Moines Art Center rose garden and as far away as Australia.  The architectural details that I discover may be from the Louvre, a pub in Ireland or the cliff side streets of the Cinque Terra.  The flower compositions are a result of my mother’s love of gardening and exploring the amazing details I find in nature. The Golden Ratio properties of harmony and proportion captivate me in the flowers as well as spiral staircases.  The architectural compositions are a personal metaphor for overcoming fear and taking steps of faith to grow and experience life to its fullest.  Taking a step into the unknown as many of these paintings depict, led to wisdom.
If I hadn’t taken a step forward I would have never experienced the adventure that was there.   I take small steps toward my goals every day by being productive in creative ways, whether I’m painting on a canvas, doodling in a devotional journal, teaching students, or listening to an audio book or podcast.  I am intentional at expanding my thoughts and engaging my mind to experience the adventure, joy and fulfillment of life that ultimately reflects in my paintings.  My work will always portray subjects that represent growth and positivity, to bring light and hope to whoever encounters my work.”