About Kerry
Learn More About Kerry
Submitted by Anne Roman,
good friend and neighbor
Kerry Wellstein is one of those people you meet at a social or business gathering who somehow gets you talking about yourself. After a while, you realize she is conversing in that same way with others, learning about each individual and what makes them special. It is clear right away tha
Submitted by Anne Roman,
good friend and neighbor
Kerry Wellstein is one of those people you meet at a social or business gathering who somehow gets you talking about yourself. After a while, you realize she is conversing in that same way with others, learning about each individual and what makes them special. It is clear right away that Kerry would rather listen and learn than hear herself talk…a rare quality that, among many other qualifications, makes her a great choice for Perrysburg City Council.
Born in 1977, to parents Karla and Ray Corrigan, Kerry was raised in Perrysburg and graduated from Perrysburg High School in 1995. She went on to earn a degree from Bowling Green State University in art education graduating in 1999.
Following graduation, she struck out for city life in Chicago. In 2002 Kerry married John Wellstein, the son of Stef and Diane Wellstein, also from Perrysburg. They created a life together in Chicago where they started a family and Kerry invested 10 years teaching art. For much of her career there, Kerry worked with economically disadvantaged students who faced incredible life challenges. This experience gave her a wider world view, and helped Kerry develop a mix of compassion and “can do,” helping her students despite great odds. After starting a family in 2005, Kerry chose to stay home with her children, while still teaching art privately out of her home.
In 2009, Kerry and John returned to Perrysburg, which they always thought of as home, to be closer to family, including both sets of parents, and to raise their two children, Clare, who is now a sophomore at Perrysburg High School, and Jack, who is approaching his senior year at PENTA. Returning to Perrysburg is a choice Kerry and John count as the best decision of their lives.
Upon their return, Kerry threw herself into the community, becoming very active in Downtown Perrysburg Inc., from 2010 to 2013, and serving as Co-President of that organization from 2012-2013. She also served on the Board of the Perrysburg Schools Foundation and as President of the Grace Preschool Board.
Believing so strongly in Perrysburg’s business advantages and leveraging her passion for art, Kerry opened CREATE: Art Studio + Workshop in 2013. CREATE, located at 118 Louisiana Avenue, provides art classes, workshops and private events for creative souls of every age. She also owns a second location in downtown Sylvania, which gives Kerry a unique view into how two such different historic business districts grow and thrive.
In addition, Kerry works a couple days a month at Vintage Groves (116 Louisiana), a home decor store that specializes in vintage treasures and beautifully upcycled merchandise. This fuels her passion for antiques and interesting people. Kerry loves talking to the customers to learn more about what brings them to Perrysburg and what keeps them coming back.
Kerry and John also own multiple residential and commercial properties in downtown Perrysburg, deepening their commitment to the community.
The Wellstein front porch on 2nd Street is the site of many get-togethers with legions of friends and multiple cousins, aunts and uncles who also live in the area. The porch has seen many robust discussions about the community with neighbors, lots of book reading, and fun with Buckeye and Bruce, the two small dogs that consider the porch their domain.
A world traveler, who also loves to read, paint, garden and take long walks around the community with family and friends, including a daily jaunt with her dad Ray, Kerry is committed to building and sustaining relationships with others.
She is a lifelong learner who is focused on truly listening to what others have to say, and being open to both sides of every story. People are Kerry’s passion and she chooses practicality and common sense over emotion every time. Kerry is a rarity indeed, and will govern as a member of City Council with a commitment to Perrysburg that is as deep as her roots here.