Craig Burt & Marianne-Conti Burt
Franchise owners of Wine and Design Cary
What do you get when you mix ten years of Art School, over a quarter century of married life, a love of people and a knack for entertaining? For Craig and Marianne Conti Burt, Wine and Design of Cary, of course.
For Marianne Conti it was love at first sight when she spotted Craig Burt at The School of The Art Institute of Chicago in 1980. It took a semester before Craig took interest in his fellow Fine Arts major and during a particular “moving” figure drawing class he finally asked her out. Rather than exchange love notes during their courtship, Craig and Marianne would sketch the days’ subjects on each other’s drawing pads — many of those sketches they still have today. After a few years of dating, Craig proposed before Marianne left Chicago to study abroad in Rome.
The couple married following graduation in 1983 and chose to remain in Chicago while building their art careers. Craig worked as a photography retoucher and Marianne as artist assistant for Claire Zeisler’s Fiber Art studio. Six years later, and again two years after that, they created what they still consider to be their best works of art, two sons, Randall and Ryan Burt.
In 1994, the family moved to Raleigh, North Carolina where Craig started his advertising company, Revelation Imaging. Randall and Ryan were now the focus of their mom’s creative energy, though Marianne still found time to teach art camps and exhibit her work in local festivals and galleries. The Burts continued to promote fine art whenever possible, and in the fall of 2009, they became founding members of the ChromaZones, a group of local abstract artists who create and exhibit their collaborative work in the Triangle area.
In 2010 while perusing a local art publication, Craig and Marianne saw what they considered a “too good to be true” help wanted ad for art teachers. The Burts were hired by Emmy and Harriet at the very first Wine and Design in North Carolina. Perfect for Craig’s puns and Marianne’s entertaining personality, Wine and Design was a space for them to spend more time together and do what they love, art. They opened their own Wine and Design in Cary, North Carolina in 2011 and haven’t regretted a moment since.
About Us Wine and Design Cary
Craig Burt
Franchise Owner and Studio Artist at Wine and Design Cary
Craig was born in the Chicago area, raised by his mother with an older brother and younger sister. His childhood was a creative environment surrounded with music and art. Early on Craig discovered his passion for the arts while being taught the basics of making mosaics at his mother’s knee. He was encouraged to work hard, use his talents and follow his dreams.
Craig knew he would make his career as an artist and went on to receive his BFA from the School of The Art Institute of Chicago in 1982, majoring in design and communications, painting and photography. He went on to run his own professional dark room working with photo composition of multiple images, special effects and retouching to color transparencies and print. As the advertising industry change, Craig embraced the new technology and began working in digital imaging and design.
He currently lives in Raleigh North Carolina with his wife Marianne and two sons. Craig is owner of Revelation Imaging Studio which specializes in digital imaging retouching, photographic manipulation and large format printing catering to the advertising community. He has been awarded Gold and Silver Addy Awards for the work he’s created.
Craig and his wife Marianne have been with Wine and Design since they opened their doors in May of 2010. He has brought his many years of experience as an artistic painter, printer and instructor to the classes he teaches and finds great joy is sharing what he knows
Marianne-Conti Burt
Franchise Owner and Studio Artist at Wine and Design Cary
Marianne’s work can be seen at Marianne Conti Burt
Marianne’s work reflects the years of growing up in Chicago with a childhood filled with Italian culture, foods, holiday parties, their summer cottage and Bocce ball. She was the middle of six children. Along side her family’s passion for cuisine and socializing was a great appreciation for the arts. She remembers her mother packing up her six children to go downtown to The Art Institute of Chicago Museum for popular exhibits. When Marianne was eight years old her mother brought the children to the unveiling of Picassos sculpture at the Daley Plaza. These early experiences began developing Marianne’s art education.
Pursuing her passion in the visual arts, Marianne received her BFA in 1983 from The School of The Art Institute of Chicago where she met her husband Craig Burt. She studied fine art at Temple Abroad in Rome, Italy for a year, and then moved to Raleigh NC in 1994 with her husband and two sons.
Today Marianne is a full time art instructor and owner of Wine and Design in Cary NC. She taught art camp at Cary and Durham Academy and is a private art instructor for heART for ART. She was curator for the art installed at Centennial Campus in Raleigh NC, Venture II and III. In 2008 Marianne held position on the event Committee for College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at NC State University for their NC Wine Symposium. Currently she is a member of Visual Art Exchange in Raleigh, the Fine Arts League of Cary and the abstract artists group "the ChromaZones."
Marianne’s work is a collaboration of her contemporary mixed media, representational painting and fiber art background. Her paintings vary from realistic floras to suggestive abstractions. She works with watercolor, acrylic and oil paints.
483 James Jackson Avenue | Cary, NC 27513
Phone: 919-535-8695 | Email: cary@wineanddesignus.com
Cary, North Carolina
Kristin Lozoya
Studio Artist:
Kristin Lozoya was born in Flushing, NY. She has lived in NC for over 15 years but still considers herself a New Yorker. Kristin graduated from UNC Greensboro in 2005 with a BFA in Painting (with a concentration in drawing). Kristin loves to make art and any time she is able to do so she considers herself very lucky.
Kristin's proudest teaching accomplishment is her rewarding and challenging time as the Art Program Instructor and Coordinator for the Wake County Boys & Girls Clubs. It was an exciting opportunity because Kristin would be able to put her own stamp on a prestigious program and she believes it has made her a better teacher for students young and old at Wine and Design.
In September 2009 she left the Wake BGCA with many fond memories and the knowledge that she taught 28 Wake County BGCA Fine Arts Winners, nine Southeast Regional BGCA Fine Arts Winners and two National BGCA Fine Arts Winners (2008, 2009). Kristin cares deeply about the students she taught at the Boys & Girls Clubs and encourages RTP residents to volunteer with at-risk youth.
Today Kristin enjoys being a part of the ever-growing Wine and Design Family. She teaches many of our Art Buzz classes and parties.
Kristin also works as a freelance artist and she loves bringing her whimsical illustrator's touch to commisioned paintings and drawings. Kristin welcomes you to visit her website www.sassy-doodle.com to learn more about her work.
Jennifer Schaafsma
Studio Artist
Jennifer’s work can be seen on facebook at Jennifer-Betty-Jewelry
Artist Biography – Jennifer has been involved in artistic endeavors for most of her life. She began her professional career as a Graphic Artist in Chicago following her graduation from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Arts, concentrating in Graphic Design.
After her marriage to Jim Schaafsma and the arrival of their two sons, Jennifer began a business doing Decorative Painting on Furniture, canvas rugs, and other home accessories. She enjoyed painting for her home-based business named Tyham Creations for 15 years while she raised her two boys.
As the boys grew, Jennifer began pushing her creative boundaries, exploring other ways to express her artistic abilities. She discovered making beaded jewelry and learned the basics from Betty Esch. A Collaboration from this was born…. Jennifer-Betty Jewelry. For the past 5 Years Jennifer has done several shows a year beginning with home shows and branching out recently into juried Art Festivals.
Now as a recent “Empty Nester”, Jennifer is looking forward to going back to one of her original passions …. Painting!
Liz Roetzel
Studio Artist
Liz’s work can be seen at www.elizabethroetzel.com and on facebook at Liz Roetzel’s Art
Liz was born in northern Indiana, but thanks to her parents’ southern heritage (South Carolina and Arkansas) her childhood included a familiarity with and love for southern culture. Long road trips were a normal part of life as the family maintained contact with relatives in various states. The road trip tradition is one that Liz continues to this day, enjoying solitary trips where she “becomes one with her vehicle” and delights in the ever-changing landscape.
Somewhat mystifying to her family, Liz’s artistic endeavors began as a young child; her many projects included drawing, painting, creating fashions for her Barbie dolls, and designing versions of her “dream home” inside of shoeboxes. She took art classes throughout elementary and high school, and evening classes as an adult.
After an adventurous career ranging from corporate sales to pipeline construction, Liz decided to make the title of “Artist” official, and returned to school to earn her BFA degree from Memphis College of Art in 2007. She moved to Raleigh in early 2008, where she currently exhibits her Portals, a mixed-media celebration of women. Liz’s greatest artistic passions are for painting, collage, and photography. She is currently engaged part-time as a community skills instructor to autistic adults.
Christy Robinson Pillow
Studio Artist
Growing up in Virginia Beach, VA, I always had a strong interest in art. I loved to draw and create, and took fine art courses in high school and college. Unfortunately, school was not as interesting to me as my social life was, so I never finished. After moving to Raleigh, NC in 1992, I obtained my NC Real Estate license and had a very successful career in the Homebuilding Industry in sales and management.
Due to a failing economy that hit my industry exceptionally hard, I was laid off in November 2008. I started an internet marketing business with a friend and during this time I started to crave a creative outlet. I took some painting classes and rediscovered my passion for creating art. After a few months of false hope with the business, lots of prayer, and tremendous support from my family and friends, I decided to “retire” from our business and focus on my painting.
I paint because I love to create. God gave me a precious gift, and I’m thankful every day for it. My style is impressionist with an emphasis on vibrant colors. I enjoy creating art that captures the spirit of the moment and inspires others. I favor painting architecture and animals, but really enjoy painting just about any subject. My “favorite” is usually what I’m currently painting or one that I just finished. I paint originals as well as accept commissions.
If my art enriches someone else’s life, or my own, then it’s worthwhile
www.TheFrontPorchStudio.com
Cheryl Briley
Studio Manager
Jennifer’s work can be seen at jvarelaresources.com and on facebook at Pet Portraits by jVarelaJennifer is a native of North Carolina and currently resides in her hometown of Fuquay Varina with husband Greg and three girls. While she pursued creative endeavors for most of her life, it wasn’t until the kids were older that she returned to school to “make it official”. She graduated from Campbell University in 2011 with a BA in Graphic Design and Studio art. While she fully intended to pursue a free-lance career in Graphic Design, a natural love for dogs and a passion for painting led her down a very different path.
Now Jennifer paints pet portraits and participates in local art shows and festivals, particularly those sponsored by the Holly Springs Arts Festival and the Fuquay Varina Arts Council. Her work is largely inspired by the love she has for her own dogs, and the joy others find in a faithful pet. She joined the Wine and Design team in June of 2012, where she particularly enjoys teaching pet night.
Cheryl Briley
Studio Manager
Cheryl is originally from Goldsboro NC. She moved to Raleigh NC in 1980 to attend NC State University. She graduated with a degree in Business Management/Economics in 1985. After graduating, Cheryl worked in the business office of a construction company and a property management company.
She left the workforce in 1990 to have her first child and is now blessed with Kaitlin, 20, Sydney, 18, and Hampton, 12. Cheryl and her husband, Greg, live in Raleigh with Hampton, while their girls are both attending Elon University. Cheryl has always been drawn to art and the creative side of life. While spending years doing art projects with her children and being the director of various art related programs at church and in the community, she learned that this was what made her happy.
Wine and Design is the perfect marriage of the business world and the creative side of life. We are so delighted to have Cheryl serve as our Office Manager. Like so many people who love painting at Wine and Design, we think Cheryl secretly is an “artist want to be!”