Meet The Team
Board Of Directors
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Charlene Fuhrman-Schulz
President
Charlene Fuhrman-Schulz began her artistic training in Chinese brush painting, where ink and brush on rice paper are used to capture movement and life — making the brush dance and the ink sing. This spontaneous, expressive approach became the foundation for her exploration of more abstract Oriental techniques, including Splashing Ink and PoMo. Charlene taught traditional Oriental brush painting and PoMo at the Art League School (Torpedo Factory Art Center) in Alexandria, Virginia for many years, retiring from teaching in 2022.
Professionally, Charlene worked as a land use planner and housing specialist for Fairfax County, retiring in 2016. Since then, she has expanded her artistic practice to include a wide range of media such as encaustic wax, alcohol inks, acrylics, India inks, oils, and pastels on diverse substrates. Her work has received numerous awards and spans styles from bold abstraction to expressive landscapes and more controlled floral and nature studies. Her current focus is on oils and pastels, embracing a more impressionist approach.
Charlene has been a longtime member of the League of Reston Artists and began serving as Treasurer in 2012. She is currently the President of the League of Reston Artists.
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Bettina Brunner
Vice-President
Bettina Brunner began her artistic career as a potter and gradually expanded her practice to include painting and collage. More recently, she has enjoyed creating floral works in watercolor and acrylic.
In her abstract work, Bettina combines acrylics, crayons, markers, and pastels to juxtapose color and form in ways that can evoke a range of emotional responses — from joy and innocence to melancholy, chagrin, and exhaustion — depending on the viewer. The sense of movement and change within her paintings reflects the ambivalence of our times. Bettina is currently serving as the Vice-President for the League of Reston Artists.
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Jim Schlett
Acting Treasurer
treasurer.lra@gmail.com
Jim Schlett developed an early interest in photography after receiving a Polaroid camera as a grade-school graduation gift in New Jersey. He later earned an Associate of Arts degree in Photography and Art and has continued to refine his skills through workshops and presentations.
In 1982, Jim earned an MBA and went on to serve for more than 15 years as Director and Chief of Staff of the Law Department at the U.S. Postal Service in Washington, D.C. In 2011, he refocused his creative energy on photography, combining his love of travel with a deep appreciation for America’s National Parks.
Jim is a long-standing member of the League of Reston Artists. His photographic work features landscapes from across the country, and he has been selected as an Artist-in-Residence at 12 National Parks. He currently serves on the League of Reston Board as Acting Treasurer.
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Regina Petrecca
Secretary
Regina M. Petrecca is a Northern Virginia–based artist whose work has been exhibited in art shows and galleries throughout Northern Virginia and North Carolina, earning awards along the way. Her paintings have also been featured in print media to promote regional art exhibitions.
Working primarily in a contemporary realist style, Regina is intentional about allowing the hand of the artist to remain visible in her work rather than striving for photographic replication. Color plays a central role in her paintings, and her inspiration comes from a wide range of sources.
More recently, Regina has been exploring abstract painting as a new and expressive direction in her practice. She finds something truly magical in transforming a blank canvas into a finished work — an experience made even more meaningful when a viewer connects with the piece and chooses to live with it in their home or office. Regina currently serves on the Board of the League of Reston Artists as the Secretary.
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John Thomas
Director, Reston Photographic Society
restonphotosociety.coordinator@gmail.com
John Thomas is a Northern Virginia based nature photographer who enjoys exploring new and exciting places. His present focus is on wildlife photography, and he can often be found exploring Huntley Meadows County Park or the Occoquan National Wildlife Refuge when not engaged in more distant travel. He began his photographic journey as a school newspaper photographer in his hometown, learning the basics with a large format film camera. During a long career in the US Army, he had great opportunities to see the world and its wonders that he now loves to photograph. He now uses mostly digital cameras and enjoys the flexibility they bring.
John’s work has been recognized as the best in wildlife and best in architecture in the Mid-Atlantic Nature Visions Photo Exhibition and as a “Top 250” in NANPA Annual Showcase in addition to recognition in local contests and exhibits.
John is a member of the North America Nature Photography Association, Professional Photographers of America and Nikon Professional Services. In addition to the Reston Photographic Society, he is a member of the Northern Virginia Photographic Society. He presently serves as the Chairman of RPS on the LRA Board.
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Karen Durishin
Director, Communications
Karen Durishin is a Northern Virginia–based abstract and mixed-media artist and founder of Waterfall Acrylics, LLC, working primarily with highly fluid acrylic paints and epoxy resin. Self-taught, she has explored mixed-media techniques since 2014 and became a full-time artist in 2019.
She is an active member of the League of Reston Artists, the Arlington Artists Alliance, and the DC Arts Center, and served as the substantive fluid art expert judge on the Discovery+ television series Meet Your Maker.
Known for her sophisticated use of color and strong compositional balance, Karen creates expressive abstract works that emphasize flow, movement, and intentional design.
Karen teaches regularly from her studio in Northern Virginia and maintains a robust online presence, including a YouTube channel with over 116,000 subscribers, where she shares educational content and creative insights. She currently serves on the League of Reston Artists Board as the Communications Director (Website, social media, advertising and branding).
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Karen Hutchison
Director, Exhibitions
Karen Hutchison is a Northern Virginia–based abstract artist whose work is influenced by a wide range of contemporary art and design. A self-taught painter, she primarily works with acrylics and mixed media, incorporating paste mediums, gels, and occasionally collected papers to create texture, depth, and visual interest.
Her paintings range from vibrant, energetic compositions to more calming works with neutral color palettes. Over more than 25 years of painting, Karen has received multiple awards, and her artwork has been selected for book covers.
Karen has been an active member of the League of Reston Artists since 2010, and serves on the LRA Board as the Director of Exhibitions. She continues to participate in local and regional art venues, including art leagues in Delaware and Maryland.
Chairpersons
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Bettina Brunner
Community Engagement Chair
Bettina@BettinaBrunner.com
Bettina Brunner began her artistic career as a potter and gradually expanded her practice to include painting and collage. More recently, she has enjoyed creating floral works in watercolor and acrylic.
In her abstract work, Bettina combines acrylics, crayons, markers, and pastels to juxtapose color and form in ways that can evoke a range of emotional responses — from joy and innocence to melancholy, chagrin, and exhaustion — depending on the viewer. The sense of movement and change within her paintings reflects the ambivalence of our times.
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John Thomas
John Thomas
Chair, Reston Photographic Speaker Series
restonphotosociety.coordinator@gmail.com
John Thomas is a Northern Virginia based nature photographer who enjoys exploring new and exciting places. His present focus is on wildlife photography, and he can often be found exploring Huntley Meadows County Park or the Occoquan National Wildlife Refuge when not engaged in more distant travel. He began his photographic journey as a school newspaper photographer in his hometown, learning the basics with a large format film camera. During a long career in the US Army, he had great opportunities to see the world and its wonders that he now loves to photograph. He now uses mostly digital cameras and enjoys the flexibility they bring.
John’s work has been recognized as the best in wildlife and best in architecture in the Mid-Atlantic Nature Visions Photo Exhibition and as a “Top 250” in NANPA Annual Showcase in addition to recognition in local contests and exhibits.
John is a member of the North America Nature Photography Association, Professional Photographers of America and Nikon Professional Services. In addition to the Reston Photographic Society, he is a member of the Northern Virginia Photographic Society. He presently serves as the Chairman of RPS on the LRA Board.
Volunteers
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Antonella Manganelli
Scholarships
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Allesandra Ricci
Scholarships
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Ruth Sievers
Virtual Gallery Coordinator
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Suzanne Thomassen-Krauss
Exhibits
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Bob Kaminski
Art In Public Places (AIPP) Co-Chair
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Barbara Osborne-Harris
Art In Public Places (AIPP) Co-Chair