Outside of Leesburg they had raised their 6 children of their blended families. Connie worked at jobs close to home while she continued her art.

She taught at NOVA, and Loudoun Academy Of the Arts as well as Springwood Psychiatric Institute and many summer programs for children. She was artist in residence at Boyce Elementary School in Clarke County Va. While there a permanent mural of the surrounding countryside was completed in the impressionist style.

Connie has been on the Colonial Beach Foundation, is vice-president of Women’s Business Network, and has mentored at the High School for several years.

In June 2007 she opened WideRiver Gallery with the help of family members and friends volunteering their time and labor, they transformed what had been a gas station service bay into a beautiful inviting exhibition space. From the beginning the gallery has been a catalyst helping to spark an artistic awakening in the community. Many prominent artists have exhibited and taught workshops there adding to the enrichment and enjoyment of our townspeople and visitors alike. The gallery also serves as a place for local artists to teach, take classes, exhibit their work and hold meetings.

Since WideRiver has opened, several other galleries have followed suit much to the enrichment of our town growth and reputation for a beautiful place.

Connie is one of the seven founding members of the Colonial Beach Art Guild started in 2003. As vice president has been instrumental in forming the many outreach programs in the community that the non-profit guild is involved in.

As owner of WideRiver Gallery, Connie envisions the town working together to sponsor a yearly arts festival where every business has a painted crab or rockfish outside done by a local artist and a flag on every light pole with CB logo denoting the festival. Music and demos in the streets bringing lots more tourists and business to our town adding to our reputation for being a beautiful place to visit.