Mixed media on paper 18 x 15 in, 25 x 22 in. A lot of information attached to back. Telegraph Herald - Dubuque, IAJuly 29, 2006Artist remembered for creativity, enthusiasmJoan Mulgrew began painting in the 1960s and helped others reach their potentialby MARY RAE BRAGGDubuque artist Joan Mulgrew, who died Thursday at 78, is remembered as a charismatic woman who delighted in leading others to discover their artistic potential.Terry Mozena said her first memories of Mulgrew are of the "Lunch Bunch" Mulgrew formed, a group of aspiring female artists who met regularly at Derby Grange, the Mulgrew family estate northwest of Dubuque. "It was always about being creative and we always had a delightful time," Mozena said.Mulgrew was the primary motivator for those women, thanks to her charismatic personality. "We all wanted to be around her," Mozena said. "She was always pushing the envelope."Mulgrew was a prolific artist whose oil miniatures were always the first to go when offered for sale at the Dubuque Museum of Art's annual Christmas fund-raiser, Mozena said.The mother of a large family, Mulgrew began painting in the 1960s, encouraged by the late Frank Licciardi, a Dubuque artist."I never thought of her that I didn't think of Frank Licciardi," Mozena said. "He would have been so proud of her as a student."Even as her reputation grew, Mulgrew remained humble and had to be encouraged to show her work. "I think she always saw herself as the student, but I think at some point in every person's life you stop being the student and start being the teacher," Mozena said. "She taught by example. Her enthusiasm for the arts was very infectious."Mozena was instrumental in putting together a 2001 exhibit of Mulgrew's work. The exhibit was held a year after Mulgrew was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, a condition that made it impossible for her to continue her work.But on the night of the exhibition, Mozena said Mulgrew was very aware of the large number of friends and art patrons who came to honor her. It took two Lower Main Street art galleries to hold all her works, and all night long, people walked between the shops, buying every piece of Mulgrew's work that was for sale."It was a happening," Mozena said. "Something really special in the arts happened that night and it was a real tribute to her."Mulgrew was the wife of Dubuque businessman Thomas James "T.J." Mulgrew, who died in 2004. Their eight children, six of whom survive, include television actress Kate Mulgrew, of New York.Copyright: Copyright 2006 Telegraph Herald

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