Connie and Jerry Sveum have volunteered their time to support many efforts in the community, with a special leaning toward supporting the arts.

The Sveums not only have dedicated years in their support of the Beloit Fine Arts Incubator, but they were instrumental in the planning and promotion of a statewide celebration of the artwork of sculptor O.V. (Verne) Shaffer

The Beloit Fine Arts Incubator is a non-profit art venue which features monthly displays by a featured artist. The incubator is volunteer run and the leadership of the Sveums have given a platform to local artists so they can exhibit their work for the community’s enjoyment and enlightenment. Studio space is rented to emerging artists also at the incubator, located at 520 E.
Grand Ave.

The couple took nearly two years to help set up a retrospective show of the work of O.V. Shaffer. Privately owned works of Shaffer were displayed at the four venues – The Beloit Fine Arts
Incubator, the Wright Museum of Art, the Janesville Art League Woman’s Gallery in Janesville and the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Gallery. The couple also arranged for a self-guided tour covering 14 cities where Shaffer’s art is displayed.

Jerry is a retired pharmacist, who many community members may remember as the owner of the Grand Avenue Pharmacy. Connie worked as a nurse and later at Parker Pen, then retired from SSI as the corporate environmental, health and safety manager.

The couple have two children and two grandchildren.