JOHANNA “Joan” (Wislocki) MCKENZIE

  Johanna 'Joan' W. McKenzie will be remembered for her exquisite paintings of the RI coast, as she said in her artist’s statement, “I feel a responsibility to document these wonderful, vanishing, open spaces before development intrudes upon their natural beauty”. But she was more than just a painter — her ceaseless  advocacy and engagement with the world is her legacy too. 

      She had a professional career in mental health prior to moving to Rhode Island and taking up painting. In the early 80s she volunteered for RI Project AIDS and became a buddy as well as a hotline counselor. In the 90s, she ran successfully for town council in Little Compton — she was instrumental in the negotiation with the Nature Conservancy to purchase and ensure public access to Goosewing Beach, and she led the team that created the lease of the Grange Hall to the Little Compton Community Center. As she settled into her art career she promoted fellow artists. She established a community gallery first in Little Compton then at Tiverton Four Corners. She was a founding member of the Art League of Rhode Island and conceived and led the 02863Project — an artists collaboration with the art department at Central Falls High School funded in part by Timberland Boot Company. While not a dancer herself, her final project, with the support of Newport Contemporary Ballet, was to establish a dance program at the Wilbur-McMahon School in Little Compton. 

      Johanna is survived by her sister Edith Wislocki of Rehoboth, MA., her husband W. Brett McKenzie of Little Compton RI., her daughter Krista Wilkinson and husband Mark Sciegaj as well as two grandchildren, Matthew and Abigail, all of State College, PA. Her son Alex predeceased her. 

        Johanna was a graduate of Milton Academy, Milton, MA. and the University of Vermont where she was awarded Phi Beta Kappa, of which she was justifiably proud. She completed graduate work at the Institute des Hautes Études, Geneva, Switzerland and as a painter completed a residency at the Vermont Studio School, Johnston Vermont. 

         A celebration of Johanna's life will be held in August, when family and friends have traditionally honored her. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Newport Contemporary Ballet, Newport RI or to Planned Parenthood, New York, NY. For additional information and condolences, please visit: FernAcresFuneralHome.com

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