Diane Arenberg

BA 1976, Interior Design
Professional Artist, Diane Arenberg Design

Diane Arenberg worked with Forrer Business Interiors in Milwaukee, WI from 1976-1983 where she worked as a designer for commercial office systems. In 1983, she joined with Marilynn Schall and William Manley, both ASID Fellows, to create Commercial Design Consultants in Milwaukee. In 1986, Arenberg began studying Art Therapy and Alcoholism Counseling and went on to work at Elmbrook Hospital in Brookfield, WI, in their drug and alcohol rehab unit.   

Eventually, Arenberg felt the pull to become a fine artist, and decided to study with artists whose works she admired. She has studied with pastel artists: Sally Strand, Doug Dawson, Glenna Hartmann, Albert Handell, and Desmond O’Hagan; Oil painters, Yuqi Wang and Daniel Gerhartz; Jewelers, Judith Foster and Dale Smith; and Ceramicist/Sculptor, Jim Kempes. 

Arenberg was co-owner of Art Escape Gallery and Art Escape Compound in Thiensville, WI with fellow Purdue Alumna Kyle Zubatsky where they exhibited the work of 60 artists over a three-year period, as well as their own works. 

Diane is a professional member of the American Society of Interior Designers, an artist member of the Palette and Chisel in Chicago, Illinois, and a signature member of the Pastel Society of New Mexico. Her award winning works can be seen in Door County, Wisconsin at Fine Line Designs Gallery; Milwaukee, Wisconsin at David Barnett Gallery, and in Santa Fe, New Mexico at Elysee Fine Art.

She and her husband, Tom, were recently awarded the “Children’s Hero Award” by the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin Auxiliary for their joint work in Child Abuse Prevention. Since moving to Santa Fe, Arenberg is Past President of the National Ghost Ranch Foundation and is currently a member of the Governing Board, Ghost Ranch Education and Retreat Center in Abiquiu, New Mexico.