Meet Julie Draeger, a born and raised Toledoan, who has spent her life refining her artistry. Draeger, always a visual person, could draw well as a child — she drew so well that other kids in her art class asked her to draw their projects for them. A spark was ignited. Draeger wanted to take her artwork seriously, so she took as many art classes as she could at Notre Dame Academy. In high school Draeger would walk around the Toledo Museum of Art inspired by the endless art, thinking, “I’m going to do this.”
She attended the University of Toledo to study art education and started teaching art classes on Saturdays at the Toledo Museum. She worked as a projector operator in the small theater, “back when there were projectors,” Draeger laughs.
Invited on a trip to the Virgin Islands, she fell in love with the place and declared herself a beach bum. She moved there full time to soak up everything the Islands had to offer. Draeger started teaching at local schools and started a family. Julie moved back to the area to finish her education degree, in her hometown of Toledo. She applied and received a Pell Grant to pay for her degree and moved back home with her two daughters, working in the Toledo Public School system for 28 years.
Continuing to teach
Continuing to teachDraeger taught her high school students during the weekdays and taught at The Museum on weekends. She used The Museum’s endless resources to enhance her high school students’ art education. Though she was working hard, Julie felt unfulfilled. Needing an outlet, she gathered a group of friends to meet once a week, simply to paint. This connected her with The Toledo Artist Club, which helped her find community in Toledo.
A new community
Julie left teaching and in 2013 and moved into Ottawa Street Studios, which she calls her artistic home. With several artist neighbors, Draeger joined a new art community that inspires her. Abstract art is Draeger’s style, where the canvas displays mixtures of colors in various shapes. “The thing about abstract art is there are no objects in it, which allows people’s imaginations to explore the piece. I’m really happy when people are present with my pieces. Most people glance at art and walk by, without a second thought.”
Julie hopes to find a way to invite the public regularly to her studio and says she dreams
of a gallery where she and her fellow artists can display their work. Draeger is grateful to Toledo for giving her so much and, in return, she tries to give back as much as she can. “I’m very happy in Toledo and I hope that shows in my work.”
Find more about Julie Dreaeger on Facebook: @julie.draeger3
