A native of Thomson, Illinois, artist, educator and writer, Heather A. Houzenga, has spent her life re-imagining ordinary items, giving them a new purpose when their function has passed, re-inventing them to take on a whole new dimension of life for others to enjoy. Heather attended Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, receiving her BA in English literature, studio art, and teacher education, grades K-12 for both disciplines, finishing her senior thesis in assemblage. "My art has grown, evolved and taken its form from a vast number of things that have influenced my life. While the materials I use may vary, because I prefer not to waste them, a majority of the ideas for my line of "beautiful imperfections" stem from seeing things differently."

In addition to creating and teaching, Heather has been bringing together artisans in northwest Illinois for the past decade, including creating the "Carroll County Artisans", the former "321 Art Gallery" in Savanna, Illinois, and more recently, the "Main Street Art Guild" in Mount Carroll, Illinois.

Her own fine art works have been displayed at many popular NW Illinois/Eastern Iowa locales and she now makes her "beautiful imperfections" available for sale online and in local boutiques.
 
In early 2011 Heather opened up her own art studio and gallery/boutique, "Zenga's", located at: 409 W. Cole St., Mount Carroll, Ilinois.  (Hours are by appointment only.)

In addition, she has just finished writing and illustrating a children’s book that will be going to print shortly.

Heather continues her work to bringing arts and education to the forefront in the Midwest!
 
                                    "Be peaceful.  Be true.  Be well." ~ Heather A. Houzenga