 Home | Recent News | Newton | Kessler Finds Personal Satisfaction Exploring Arts 11 Aug 2008 Kessler finds personal satisfaction exploring artsBy Nancy D. Borst When opportunity for exploring creativity knocks, Mary Kessler answers the door. She answered by learning needlepoint while her husband, Frank, was overseas during World War II. She answered when she had a chance to learn woodworking and became proficient with a jigsaw. The retired home economics teacher learned quilting well into her “retirement” years. She is an Apple-A-Day preschool volunteer, enjoys Tai Chi and maintains a busy schedule. When an opportunity presented itself in 2006 to learn how to paint, Kessler added another, very different, creative outlet to her hobbies. “The Manor announced they were going to have this painting class,” said Kessler, who lives at Presbyterian Manor in Newton. “Presbyterian Manor would pay half the fee. It sounded like a bargain. That’s why I got started.” Just a little more than two years later, she is an award-winning watercolor artist who completes one to two paintings each week in her Manor apartment. Her daughter, Arlys, has helped her mother frame her paintings and convinced her this summer to enter an Art Fair in the Park in Monona, Wis. Kessler submitted her entry fee and four paintings to be juried – and she was accepted. She took more than 30 paintings to the event and sold enough to pay her trip’s expenses. “I told my daughter that so many had purchased paintings, I hope I didn’t twist their arms,” she said. Her daughter assured her that the paintings sold themselves. Kessler says her art brings her a lot of personal satisfaction. Her art will be on display beginning Aug. 14 at Presbyterian Manor as part of the annual Art is Ageless juried exhibit. An artists’ reception and awards are planned for 3 p.m. that day. The exhibit continues through Aug. 20. Art is Ageless celebrates the truly timelessness of creativity and the creative spirit of artists age 65 and older. In 2007, Kessler received the Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America’s Spirit of Art is Ageless Award. The award honors an artist who exemplifies the purpose of the year around programs and the annual exhibit: that art and the artists who create it are not bounded by time. Instead they are encouraged to pursue and discover the arts as part of the lifelong learning process. Kessler still volunteers as “Grandma Mary” at the Manor’s Apple a Day Preschool and still helps piece quilts. But her painting – the fruits of which adorn a wall of her apartment – remains one of her favorite activities. And she hopes others will follow her lead and try something new. “That’s exactly what people say – ‘I think I’m afraid to try something new,’” she said. “On August 20 we will have a little class (at the Manor). Anybody can come. There’s a free introduction. Hopefully we’ll get some other people to get some interest and the class will grow.” The watercolor class is called “Come Try It” and it will begin at 1:30 p.m. Aug. 20 in the Manor’s main dining room. Teacher Sue Kruger is offering this complimentary class for anyone who would like to try a hand at watercolors. Call (316) 283-5400 by Aug. 18 to make a reservation. For more information about the class or Art is Ageless, call Noelle Dickinson at (316) 283-5400 or visit the Manor at 1200 E. 7th in Newton.
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