Rosemary Curtis is a fiber and watercolor artist and resident artist at the Rowan County Arts Center. A native of Morehead, Kentucky, she retired from UK St. Claire after a 47-year career in the laboratory, beginning as a phlebotomist and concluding as Section Manager of the Histology Laboratory in the Pathology Department.

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Curtis carries forward a family tradition of quilting, a practice she learned in childhood from her mother and grandmothers. Working with vibrant, contemporary textiles, she uses a sewing machine to ensure structural integrity while incorporating traditional patterns that reflect the Appalachian heritage of resourcefulness and care. Her quilts are created to be used, held, and cherished—each one intended as a lasting expression of warmth, comfort, and connection.

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In addition to her fiber work, Curtis is a watercolor artist whose practice is inspired by a lifelong appreciation for nature. Influenced by her aunt’s oil paintings, she explored a variety of mediums before discovering a passion for watercolor. Her work often focuses on birds, animals, and flowers, using the fluidity of water and pigment to capture delicate forms and bring each subject to life.

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Curtis’s creative practice continues to evolve through an interest in a wide range of traditional crafts, including knitting, crocheting, embroidery, and, most recently, weaving. She lives in rural Rowan County with her husband, Mike, where she enjoys spending time with their children, grandchildren, and extended family.