Janette Tepas wears many hats in her roles as a community advocate. Let’s begin with her being president, ur, queen of the Barrington Area Artists Association (BAAA).

Why do you prefer being called queen rather than president of BAAA?

Being queen is fun, creative, amusing. My crown is invisible to most, but those with imagination get a glimpse of it. It’s sparkly. Let me be clear I’m queen for the artists, not over them. In fact, I think all women can create their own invisible crown to wear all the time! Or maybe a Wonder Woman headband.

What hat do you wear as a member of the Visual Arts and History working groups for the Barrington Cultural Commission?

We come up with a lot of ideas such as the soon to be Dreamway Arch mural. We’ll be introducing history-oriented events and tours that ignite a new appreciation for what’s been. It’s all about creating buzz. I switch between a beekeeper’s hat for this and a hardhat because there are so many projects to be done to help make our community a cultural destination.

As an entrepreneurial artist you create and sell hand-painted photos on canvas and digitally colored photographs on metal panels. Why photographs?

There’s lots of ways to do art. That’s what I love about BAAA. I like seeing what other artists are doing. What they are working on. Photos help me see beauty everywhere. As an artist I wear a French style beret because, my dear, it’s French!

Many of your art photos were taken abroad while working as a certified international tour manager. Tell me more.

I lead small group luxury tours through Europe. It’s fun because I share my knowledge of a place’s history, culture, art and food and why it matters. Leading tours I wear the Borsalino, an Italian fedora. It’s international, chic and a passport to any European city.

Speaking of fun, you are a fun friend to many. What do you like doing in Barrington during your free time?

I like walking with friends. We have lovely sidewalks in the Village. The Lake Street Ladies Walking group is fun. I moved here because of my family suggesting it to me. I’m so happy to walk over to see the grandkids. I wear a baseball cap while walking, preferably pink with glitter.