Who We Are

A little about the studio and it’s owner

About The Artist’s Retreat

The Artist’s Retreat is a place where dreams are manifested, a place where artists are born, a place where artists can thrive, and where artists dreams come true.

We are a creative space that offers a variety of visual art classes to all ages in a calming atmosphere. From painting to clay modeling, to fiber arts, we offer classes through out the year that are sure to get your creative juices flowing.

Give us a call today to see what we have to offer!

About The Artist's Retreat in Collinsville, OK
“Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun.”
~ Mary Lou Cook
Valerie Unruh - The Artist's Retreat

About Valerie

Fine Art Portraits, Landscapes and Still Life

The Early Years

Born and raised in Ulysses, Kansas, Valerie Unruh began her artistic journey when she was a young teenager. She started with oils, moved to pen and ink, included some wood burning along the way and met up with graphite and colored pencils in her early twenties. Through dedication and commitment, Valerie became an accomplished artist who uses many mediums to render what the subject requires.

Where Is She Now?

Today, Valerie resides in Claremore, Oklahoma. She primarily works with acrylics, but still occasionally paints with oil. She is predominately self-taught, but has picked up new art techniques from many other professional artists along the way.

In 2021, Valerie completed 9 murals for the City of Collinsville in Oklahoma. Eight of those murals are on utility boxes along Main Street in Collinsville. One mural is of a large butterfly on a garage door in the City Plaza.

Valerie is also an instructor of fine art. She believes that all things are created uniquely. As she instructs others, she notices that each individual sees things differently. She explains “We can all be drawing the same subject, but each person’s rendition is totally different. Oh, we all have those artist’s whose work we so admire. We try to do exactly how they instruct and it never turns out the same.” Valerie believes in encouraging each student create an art piece the way they see it and not how she sees it.

One of her favorite quotes is “A painting is never finished – it simply stops in interesting places.” by Paul Gardner.

Valerie has taught classes at Elder Care in Bartlesville since 2009. She is a past art show judge for the Verdigris Valley Art Exhibit in Independence, KS. She has judged several student art shows in the area. She is a past board member of the Bartlesville Art Association.

Today Valerie owns her own business, The Artist’s Retreat, Inc., in Collinsville, OK. where she teaches art classes to all ages.