Julie Wade and Carolyn Sasse are honoring their mother, Karen Semancik, a recently deceased Sun City resident, with a showcase of her fabric art. It is now on display at the Huntley Area Public Library through the end of February.
Semancik’s work reflects her vibrant personality and graceful spirit, offering insight into her famously calm demeanor.
Her husband, J, described her as the family’s foundation, stating, “Karen was the one who handled the difficult situations. She had a calming way of dealing with anything that came her way.”
Visitors will find that same sense of peace in each piece of her collection.
Julie Wade, her daughter, said, “My mom didn’t start creating fabric art until she was in her sixties. She’d always been artistic, but I was amazed by how quickly she picked it up and how much care she put into each piece. She was proud to share her work with our family, and it meant so much to her when people requested or bought her pieces at craft shows.”
After retiring, Karen focused her creativity on crafting intricate quilts and wall hangings.
J recalls her “tremendous thirst to learn,” noting that she did not simply pick up a hobby but elevated it to an art form. While J considers himself a traditionalist, their daughters often remarked that Karen was the visionary, always seeking new creative challenges.
Fabric art requires time and a willingness to embrace trial and error. J notes that Karen’s remarkable composure supported this meticulous process.
“Karen has a tremendous amount of patience,” J shared, adding that her 30-year career in education helped develop her steady demeanor. “She never complained or grew frustrated,” he recalled. “She had this incredible ability to adjust quickly, a skill beautifully reflected in the intricate details of her work.”
Karen’s artistic journey included early challenges, but her determination to realize her vision remained strong. Inspired by her love for lighthouses, she focused on capturing the interplay of light and sea. Her skill is now on display at the local library.
“The lighthouse piece combines so many creative elements. Everything came together just as it should,” Wade remarked. While her work is intricate, her early pieces were playful; J noted that “one of her first and most beloved pieces was the cartoon character Nemo.
Karen Semancik’s art.
When asked what her favorite piece was, Wade replied, “I love so many of my mom’s pieces, but the one that stands out most is the piece she did of my Cavapoo, Leo. She surprised me with it for my forty-fifth birthday, and I was struck by how accurately she captured him with all the smallest details.”
Karen was known for her autumn scenes and backyard bird depictions, demonstrating a meticulous approach to her craft. According to J, she could look at a photo and instinctively select fabrics that would bring a memory to life, whether it was a family pet or a waterfront view. Her ability to capture color and motion in fabric transformed simple snapshots into lasting tributes.
Lori Martiny, a Sun City resident who has some of Karen’s work, said, ”She had a unique ability to make nature come alive in her work and all of these pictures represent that. I purchased a picture from Karen at a Del Webb craft show a few years ago. It is a peaceful winter scene of a tree in winter. I asked her to make a companion piece of a cardinal and the two pictures complement each other so beautifully. They just make me happy.”
When members of the Valor Quilt Guild and Sew ‘n’ Sew Charter Club arrived to collect a donation of sewing supplies from J, they discovered a legacy of creativity. As visitors admired the quilts and fabric art on display, J reflected on the joy behind the work.
“It warmed my heart to see their reactions,” J remarked, noting that although the artist led a busy life, her time in the sewing room was defined by genuine enjoyment.
“Sewing was only the beginning of her story,” Wade shared, reflecting on a life lived in constant motion. “My mom was never one to sit still. She thrived on staying busy, and even as her health declined, her fabric art remained a source of profound joy.”
Though the physical act of creating became more challenging, her sewing room remained her sanctuary.
“It was always her happy place,” Wade said. “We hope that when the community sees her artwork, they feel the love she poured into every stitch and perhaps feel inspired to start a craft of their own, reminding us all that it’s never too late to find a new passion.”
1 Comment
My compliments to Ms. Such on one very well written piece. Knowing Karen for many years it is gratifying to see her art be so appreciated. As stated, her art meant so much to her and the opportunity to share with others is special.
Karen was the guiding light for her family and demonstrated it every day through her commitment to her faith.