For the Willow Point Gallery in Ashland, Nebraska its beginning and continuing success is all thanks to Gene Roncka. The man behind the artistry that fills the gallery.
Before pursuing his passion in art, he served in the military for four years as a mechanic in the marines. After his time stationed in North Carolina, he went back to Nebraska to begin college.
Roncka’s skill with his art was honed in several places, but began at the University of Nebraska – Omaha. For a few years he pursued his major in the fine arts. His starting work gained him recognition on campus and off.
Roncka received a letter from the California College of the Arts, where he then enrolled with a full-ride scholarship. Staying in San Francisco, California for a time, his artwork became more critically acclaimed.
Roncka’s schooling took him to another college in Illinois where he attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. After finishing his degree he was invited to another college in New York City.
After only staying in the Big Apple for three days, Roncka finally decided to move on to a career field.
With an outstanding portfolio, Roncka quickly found work with Chrysler in Detroit. Within a short amount of time he had become a lead graphic designer.
After working with Chrysler for nine years, he became an independent designer moving between cities. After a time, he then moved back to Nebraska and married.
Unfortunately, he divorced and then remarried to Mary who is his current wife.
Over the years Roncka had been accumulating a lot of his own work and decided to open his a gallery. Between Mary, his brother Samuel, and himself they designed and opened his current gallery in Ashland, Nebraska.
Now 88-year-old Gene Roncka co-owns Willow Point Gallery with his wife Mary. The two of them recently celebrated the gallery’s 20th anniversary.
Gene Roncka
Sources: Gene Roncka, Mary Roncka
Cole Dean 