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WELLSBORO, PA—After more than thirty years serving the public through her job at the United States Postal Service, Karen Hall decided to take up a hobby in her retirement.
“I was always interested in art, but never thoroughly pursued that interest,” explains Hall, but with more time on her hands, the moment seemed just right.
In December 2005, her daughter asked her what she wanted for Christmas, and Hall answered that she would love to take a few art lessons with Kitty Thompson. In early 2006, she began her quest to learn the art of making art. “Kitty helps bring out your God-given talent, but it hasn't always been a piece of cake to produce a painting,” explains Karen. “But Kitty doesn't accept the words ‘I can't.’”
Hall works in acrylics and will be showcasing an exhibit of her work highlighting local landscapes and western vistas now through September 30 in the Soldiers + Sailors Memorial Hospital Gallery of Art. Ten percent of the price of each piece sold through the SSMH Art Gallery goes to support the Soldiers + Sailors Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. The hospital’s gallery features rotating exhibits throughout the year of local artists for the enjoyment of patients, visitors, and employees.
“The subject matter in my paintings has to speak to me personally,” says Hall. “I am passionate about nature. I have always been in love with the West, and I like local subjects because they may not always be with us in the future.”
Hall has previously exhibited works at the Gmeiner Art & Cultural Center, the Whitneyville Fair, and the Canton Apple Cheese Festival. “I hope the public enjoys my paintings and will be able to recognize the love of the art expressed in them.”
For more information on the SSMH Gallery, or to purchase artwork currently on display, call Faith Preston, SSMH Auxiliary Coordinator, at (570) 723-0191.