Medical center art exhibit honors 'Elders'

A new exhibit at Kalispell Regional Medical Center called “Honoring Our Elders” features the mixed-media work of 14 men and women artists from the Kalispell Senior Center.

Patricia Stewart, curator of the Northwest Healthcare Healing Arts Gallery, said the artists represent a range of ages up through late 80s and beyond. She recalled her first impression after going to review the work in oils, acrylics and water color for a possible exhibit.

“I was stunned,” she said. “They are doing such a good job.”

The exhibit hangs in the gallery in the hallway located halfway between the hospital cafeteria and Brendan House. It includes more than 50 paintings that will remain through Nov. 20, 2010.

Stewart invites the public to a reception from 4 to 6 p.m. Aug. 3 to meet some of the artists and enjoy the work.

All associated with the Kalispell Senior Center, the artists take classes with art instructors Barbara Abbott and Mary Sierra as well teach each other during open painting sessions held on Wednesdays at the center located at 403 Second Ave. W. in Kalispell.

Many, like Montana native Cathy Manning, have been painting seriously for many years. Manning took a break from art to hold a day job but has returned to her first love during retirement.

Artist Rosalie Heinecke, 88, was also born in Montana as one of the pioneering and artistic Brinkman family. A devotee of miniatures, she has worked in oil paint all her life but has recently begun experimenting with water colors.

Beverly Rehbein joined the senior center painting class after retirement but first began painting T-shirts from her three girls and three boys.

“Even the boys liked the fishing T-shirts I painted for them,” she said.

In 1991, the artists began painting quilts which are now registered with Montana Historical Quilts in Helena. Her “History of our Flag” quilt hangs in the Historical Society Museum in Helena.

In the senior art class, Rehbein has enjoyed painting pictures of her family homestead farm and birds.

“I’m learning more and more and having so much fun doing it,” she said. “We couldn’t ask for a better group of classmates.”

Northwest Healthcare Healing Arts Gallery was created to combine healing arts with medical arts for health and healing. The public is welcome to visit the exhibits in Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Artwork displayed is for sale unless otherwise marked with usually 30 percent going to Northwest Healthcare Foundation to benefit the medical center. For more information, contact Stewart at 406-253-1778.