I
IRENE MARIE SUKLE, a National Board certified art teacher at West Geauga Local Schools for 42 years, died Oct. 31, 2008 at age 63 at Geauga Regional Hospital. Ms. Sukle had a BA and MFA in teaching from Kent State University and also studied at the Cooper School of Art and the Cleveland Institute of Art.

Ms. Sukle was very active in Northeast Ohio's public arts projects, including creating six of the 10-foot-high guitars for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the United Way of Cleveland's 2002, 2004 and 2007 GuitarMania and painting four ponies for the 2003 Akron's Children's Hospitals' "Horse of a Different Color." She also worked on various projects for University Hospitals, Dave Thomas Foundation of Adoption fundraisers, among others. Her artwork is on exhibit in several leading Northeast Ohio galleries.

She is survived by her loving husband, Bob Quail; mother, Emma Sukle; father, Frank Sukle; and sister, Frances Czuprun, all of Auburn Twp.

A Celebration of Life gathering, as a tribute to Ms. Sukle, will be held at 7 p.m. DEC.. 18, 2008, at West Geauga High School, 13401 Chillicothe Rd., Chester Twp. (THE PUBLIC IS WELCOME TO ATTEND).

The Cleveland arts community will hold a send-off in her honor at the Galleria, 1301 E. 9th St., Cleveland. Details to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to a scholarship being established in Ms. Sukle's memory. For those who wish to donate, contributions may be sent to: Irene Sukle Art & Creativity Memorial Scholarship, West Geauga Board of Education, 8615 Cedar Rd., Chesterland, 44026. Please make your check out to West Geauga Board of Education and write the "Irene Sukle Art & Creativity Memorial Scholarship" in the memo section.

Click on titles at left to view pictures
 

    Cooper School of Art
             Kent State University
                  B.S. in Education
                  Masters in Curriculum, and Instruction
             Savanna College of Art-Summer Studies
             Ursiline College of Art-Summer workshops in Art Theraphy
             Cleveland Institute of Art-workshops, and Evening courses
             Main Education: Teaching, Painting, and Life

             TEACHING ART:
             Cooper School of Art-2 sessions
             Hiram College-1 Year
             West Geauga Local Schools-35 Years
                     20 Years Junior High
                     15 Years High School

             AWARDS  and SHOWS

             Numerous awards including First Place in Sculpture, Russel's Woman's
             League Show, and Second place in Geauga Parks District Nature Show
             Participated in shows from Ohio to Virginia
             Three Major Shows in 10 years at Fairmont Art Center
             One person shows at Fairmont, and Lakeland Community College
             And The Gallery of 35 South Main St., Chagrin Falls,Oh.
             Four-teen Major works on Exhibit at the "Source" in Virginia Beach,Va. with
             Buzz Meyers