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Scattered thunderstorms. High around 85F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Partly cloudy this evening. Scattered thunderstorms developing after midnight. Low 77F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.

Local artist Dawn Ragusin stands outside Studio 14, located at 911 N. 14th St., in Port O’Connor. She specializes in coastal art, using inspiration from her front yard and surrounding areas. (Contributed photo)

Local artist Dawn Ragusin stands outside Studio 14, located at 911 N. 14th St., in Port O’Connor. She specializes in coastal art, using inspiration from her front yard and surrounding areas. (Contributed photo)

It all started 30 years ago with a paintbrush, a blank canvas, and a little acrylic paint. Since then, Dawn Ragusin has been blessing those around her with her artwork. She is a true artist at heart, and Studio 14 in Port O’Connor was born from deep within her heart.

The Port O’Connor Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the local artist. The exhibit featured previous and current original works of art, including artwork on windows donated from the once Port O’Connor Teacherage and a variety of artwork prints, which are also featured on notecards, linens, babywear, and coffee mugs. Guests were also treated to her artworks in progress. The three-day event was attended by many local citizens of Port O’Connor and surrounding communities in Calhoun County, along with many visitors over the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

“My art studio was never intended to be open for business, just an inspirational spot for me to paint, but has just kept rolling in that direction. After brainstorming with family and friends, the name Studio 14 immediately struck favor with me,” said Ragusin. “I was born on Feb. 14th, and I live on 14th Street. The studio is located on our property at the very north end of the road facing towards Boggy Bayou. Studio 14 is only available by appointment; however, I may at some time have another open house.”

Ragusin is no stranger to the Texas Gulf Coast. She was born in Austin and raised mostly in Port Aransas. Her stepfather was a crew boat captain, so the family moved along the coast, residing in Port O’Connor and Port Lavaca for a short time while Ragusin was a teenager. Since returning to Calhoun County, Ragusin has resided in Port O’Connor with her husband Willie and sons Will and Taylor for more than 20 years.

“I was drawn back to the small town of Port O’Connor where I met my husband Willie in 1998. My real goal in life was to have a family of my own, which I am greatly blessed with,” she said.

Collecting inspiration from her front door, her art portrays the natural beauty of her community as well as the Texas Gulf Coast, fishing, floundering, crabbing, bird watching, and beachcombing. Since the Port O’Connor Chamber of Commerce began its farmer’s markets, Ragusin has filled the demand for those looking for a piece of coastal art. She enjoys donating her art to those she can bring joy. She said art is therapy to her, and she truly enjoys donating to charities and benefits to help others. She has donated her work to the community for the last 15 years simply because she “cares about people.”

Ragusin said she loses track of time while creating art.

“My most productive hours on a new piece are usually on a Saturday or Sunday morning. I can’t tell you how long it takes because I truly lose track of time.  My largest and most recent ‘masterpiece’ took me a couple of months and was purchased at my soft opening last weekend,” she said.

One of Ragusin’s most popular pieces is refurbished oyster shells. Customers have used them for whatever their imaginations desire.

“I scrub them, then let them bake in the sun for a few weeks to naturally make them bright, then paint the inside with a tinted iridescent color leaving the eye natural. I apply a gold paint around the edge and seal with a high-quality high gloss sealer,” she said. “People love them for themselves or as a unique gift from Port O’Connor. They not only use them for their jewelry but also heard one say a toothpick holder to make their table setting pretty. I actually did a Christmas order of 20 of them last year with the year on them.”

She also sells printed baby onesies, coffee mugs, decorative tea towels, oyster shell jewelry dishes, art on windows, greeting cards, newspaper art, wood fish cutouts, reproduction canvas prints, etc. Her artwork has also been selected for the program cover of the annual CCA Texas Port O’Connor Chapter banquet four times.

Ragusin is only able to dedicate about two hours a week to her passion. She is a full-time employee at First National Bank in Port Lavaca and FNB/Port O’Connor serving as vice president, loan officer, branch manager, new accounts, and customer service representative.

“The bank has been a wonderful and rewarding place to work. They have always supported my art and display at least seven pieces that I can think of,” she said.

Ragusin has served as a director of the Port O’Connor Chamber of Commerce since 2017, four of those years as treasurer and presently as vice-president. She also serves as the director on the Port O’Connor Community Center board and chairman of the benevolence committee at First Baptist Church Port O’Connor. She supports the Port O’Connor Volunteer Fire Department every year as well as any other charity or benefit that comes along.  She and her husband started an electrical contracting business in Port O’Connor in 2006, where she does all of the administrative work. Ragusin also founded the Port O’Connor Elementary PTO along with Carol Rosenboom, who is currently Port O’Connor Elementary School’s secretary.

Those wishing to visit Studio 14 can look for Ragusin at the farmer’s markets or by appointment only at the studio location at 911 N. 14th St. in Port O’Connor. To make an appointment, contact 361-550-2371 or dawn.ragusin@gmail.com.

Comments can also be left at her website, www.dawnragusin.com.

“I have always seen the beauty in many things. I believe God has blessed me with my artistic skills, and I am happy to share, especially if it can help someone,” said Ragusin. “Every piece I have donated has a story. I now enjoy creating new pieces for whoever may cross my artistic path. I take “Art Therapy” on a regular basis.”

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