Sonya Wise, a native of Southwest Missouri, has been deeply passionate about drawing and creating from an early age—a fascination that has remained constant throughout her life. While Wise explores a wide range of subjects in her paintings and exhibitions, she is especially drawn to portraiture and figurative art. Her in-depth study of human anatomy has further fueled her fascination with the human form, and she finds great joy in the challenge of capturing expression and movement, distilling a moment’s essence onto the canvas.
As a longtime docent at the Springfield Art Museum, Wise is continually inspired by the reactions of viewers to art in all its forms. She channels this shared experience into her own creative process, seeking to evoke a connection with her audience through her work. Influenced by her admiration for the Old Masters and their techniques, Wise’s work combines classical elements with a modern sensitivity. Her painting, “Emerging,” earned first place at the 2018 Studio 55 Annual Exhibition at the Springfield Art Museum, a testament to her skill and artistic vision.
Member of:
* Docents of the Springfield Art Museum since 2009 - Past President Two Terms. Creator of curriculum to train new docents teaching classes for two years initiating new docents. *Served as Chairperson for the SMMA Fall Fashion Show raising funds for the Springfield Art Museum for five years from 2013 to 2017 raising over $60,000.
* NOAPS - National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society * Southwest Missouri Museum Associates * Neosho Arts Council * Southwest Missouri Museum Associates Eclectics * Springfield Regional Arts Council *Studio 55 Fine Arts Guild
2024 - Sonya dedicated a year to re-creating a lost painting of Callista O’Neill, sister of renowned artist Rose O’Neill. Originally painted by Rose in 1913, the artwork was tragically destroyed in a fire in 1947. Using the only surviving photograph of the painting, featured in a June 1913 St. Louis Post-Dispatch article, Wise painstakingly brought the image back to life. On October 2nd, she unveiled the completed re-creation to an audience of fellow docents, artists, Springfield Art Museum staff and board members of the Bonniebrook Home and Museum, honoring the legacy of Rose O’Neill and her sister.
2020 This year consisted of several commission pieces
Juried Exhibits & Other art related activities
2019
*Waverly House Gifts March 2019 - Juried *Springfield-Branson National Airport Sky Gallery Still Life Exhibit Feb-May Juried
2018
*Brentwood Library November 2018 * Springfield Art Museum "An Evening with Studio 55" - 1st place Oil Non-Professional * Waverly House Gifts October 2018 - Juried *Botanical Center August 2018 - 2 paintings *Waverly House Gifts March 2018 - Juried 2 paintings accepted * Maschino's "Dreams of the New Year" January 9 - March 26, 2018 - Juried * Springfield-Branson National Airport Sky Gallery Exhibit November 2017 - February 2018 - Juried * Maschino's "The Art of Entertaining" December 2017 - January 2018 - Juried
2017
* Chairperson - Southwest Missouri Museum Associates Fall Fashion Show - Raising money to support Springfield Art Museum * Studio 55 4th annual Fall Exhibit - September 2017 * Chairperson - Studio 55 Fall Silent Auction - September 2017
2016
* Studio 55 3rd Annual Fall Exhibit - September 2016 * Chairperson - Studio 55 Fall Silent Auction - September 2016 * Studio 55 Botanical Center Exhibit * Waverly House "True Grit" Exhibit April - May 2016 - Juried * Springfield Nature Center Exhibit * Chairperson - Southwest Missouri Museum Associates Fall Fashion Show - Raising money to support Springfield Art Museum * Artwork Donations for Silent Auction of SMMA Fall Fashion Show * Arwork Donations to Habitat for Humanity Springfield "Tool Belts and Bow Ties" event silent auction * Springfield-Branson National Airport Sky Gallery Exhibit "True Grit" - Juried
2015
* Chairperson - Southwest Missouri Museum Associates Fall Fashion Show - Raising money to support Springfield Art Museum * Artwork Donations for Silent Auction of SMMA Fall Fashion Show
2014
* President of Docents of the Springfield Art Museum - 2014 & 2015 * Chairperson - Southwest Missouri Museum Associates Fall Fashion Show - Raising money to support Springfield Art Museum 2013
* President of Docents of the Springfield Art Museum - 2012 & 2013 * Chairperson - Southwest Missouri Museum Associates Fall Fashion Show - Raising money to support Springfield Art Museum
