CHERI DUNNIGAN is a master goldsmith and nationally recognized landscape painter.  She grew up outside of Boston, Massachusetts.

    Born with a creative drive, and being blessed with parents who recognized and fostered both her artistic interests and ambitions, she was able to begin to develop her artistic talents and an early age.  She made her first piece of jewelry at the age of 15.  This experience lit a passion and set the course of her studies over the next 7 years.  This led her to the Cleveland Institute of Art where she studied with John Paul Miller and earned a 5 year Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree specifically in Silversmithing in 1978.  Having majored in silversmithing and jewelry design, she worked for many years as a designer craftsman, maintaining a retail studio and showroom in Hopkinton, Massachusetts.

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     In 1998 Cheri was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythmatosis, and having lost the strength and dexterity in her hands it became clear that she would not be able to resume her career as a metalsmith.  At that time she turned her creative talents towards pastel painting, and with pastels, she found a new passion.  Painting had a tremendous therapeutic effect and before long not only had she found herself launched into a new career, but she also found that her condition went into a solid remission.



     Today, Cheri is healthy and thrilled to be working again in metal as well as pursuing her career as a landscape painter.  She has exhibited her work nationally and has won numerous awards.  Cheri presently lives in Naples, Florida with her husband Tim and her son, Matthew.  She is a charter member of the Southwest Florida Pastel Society, a Signature Member of the Pastel Society of America, a member of the Florida Society of Goldsmiths, and the Society of North American Goldsmiths.  She currently teaches ongoing classes at the Art League of Bonita Springs in Bonita Springs, Florida.
 

Cheri’s work can be seen on her website at www.cheridunnigan.com and she is represented by Artana Gallery at www.artanagallery.com.