Not long after our 2011 capital campaign, which created our beautiful lobby space full of natural light, we began inviting
artists to present their works in our alcoves. With the help of Peggy Debey, we were able to connect with
artists in our community and share their works allowing the enjoyment of each experience at Theatre Salina to begin immediately
as guests entered the space. Each exhibit lasts through the duration of our mainstage productions, allowing us to host seven exhibits a year.
We are honored to be able to be a home for all creators, regardless of their medium.
MEET THE CURATOR
Meghan Hessman
Meghan is the owner of Sunflower Follies Art Studio and became the art curator for the gallery at Theatre Salina during its 64th season. She was born and raised in Clay Center, KS and moved here with her husband, Jake, and their two kids in 2019. Theatre Salina was one of the first things that they fell in love with here. As an artist herself, Meghan has participated in First Fridays, as well as local charities and art/vendor shows. She also has art and cards displayed in several shops downtown. “I am eager to give back to Salina’s art community,” says Meghan. Part of her dream is to become a mentor to new artists, while growing relationships with established artists. “I love promoting others and connecting people. We’ll have unique artists on display with each mainstage production and each of their pieces has a story to tell.”
Contact: art@salinatheatre.com
Dean Groves (Painting) is a resident of Salina Presbyterian Manor and has lived in Salina since 1945, a graduate of Salina High (1950), and Kansas Wesleyan University (1954). He was the co-founder of Insurors and Investors in 1971 (now Iron Insurance Partners). Was a signature member of Kansas Watercolor Society. Receive a “Best of Show” during the 1980’s at Salina River Festival. He has over 200 paintings owned by others.
Martha Oakes (Quilting) is a lifetime resident of Salina. She is a graduate of Salina Central High School and retired as purchasing manager after 39 years with Premier Pneumatics/K-Tron. She began quilting in the 1980’s and has donated much of her work to various organizations in the community. She has also sold some of her quilts over the years at the Sunny Side Pumpkin Patch and the Tumbleweed Craft Show and will soon display her work at an upcoming Greater Salina Community Foundation First Friday event. She and her husband were the first residents of the Villa development at Salina Presbyterian Manor where several of her quilts have earned ribbons in the Art Is Ageless program at the Manor.
Lucy Kollhoff (Painting) received her BS/MS degrees from Fort Hays State University. Originally, Ms. Kollhoff originally sought an art degree after high school; however, realizing that she did not want to be in a competitive world, went to work versus finishing college. After working in private industry for several years, she returned to Fort Hays State University to obtain both her BS and MS degree (counseling) addressing workforce and career pathway needs. She has worked in higher education in the areas of career counseling and coaching, and has been involved in retention, recruitment and placement of students into science, technology, engineering and math careers. A phrase she uses often about her varied career path, “ I feel I tied a loop with my passion for art – helping other paint pictures of their own lives”.She is currently involved in creating awareness of area resources that help individuals to succeed: Salina Initiative for Restorative Justice (certified mediator) and Women Helping Women. In her spare time she dabbles in various art mediums/various combinations of mediums, always looking to learn more and experience different art techniques. Lucy has exhibited in “Art is Ageless” (sponsored by Presbyterian Manor) for two years and plans to continue. “it’s amazing the viewing the various talents of those over 65 in Salina. You need to attend a showing! More info on Art is Ageless program (from 2024) https://www.presbyterianmanors.org/blog/pmma-presbyterian-manors-of-mid-america-announces-art-is-ageless-winners/
Lucy and husband Mike together enjoy other activities: golf, sailing and gardening.
Dr. Perry Hunsley (Painting) Before discovering a passion for painting during his retirement years, Dr. Perry Hunsley had devoted most of his life to Medical Arts. He practiced family medicine in Belleville, Kansas until 1972, when he moved with his family to Ohio to complete his residency in surgery at Akron General Medical Center. He then moved to Branson, Missouri where he was (the first) Chief of Surgery at Skaggs Community Health Center for 17 years. When he retired in 1995, he and his wife, Phyllis, became residents of the Salina Presbyterian Manor. He took up painting with instruction from Barbara Culley and enjoyed creating beautiful works of art for the rest of his life. To his surprise and pleasure, one of his earliest paintings was chosen by the Art Is Ageless jury for the PMMA Christmas card. In 2019 he was deemed Artist of the Month and had many of his works on display at the Manor.
Margie Reed (Knitting) is an avid seamstress, quilter and knitter who loves to create works of art for her family and friends. This sweater was made with love to share. Resident at Salina Presbyterian Manor since October of 2023.
Don Schroeder (Mixed Media) I inherited my interest in fly fishing and fly tying from my twin sons who attended universities in the Northwest where great fishing streams exist. I am a native Kansas and resident at Salina Presbyterian Manor since November of 2022.
Acrylic on canvas.
For inquiries or his shop visit his website www.theartoftm.com or his Facebook .
Mixed media on canvas
For inquiries visit website, caitlinveazey.com
Contact-
personal cjhammerschmidt@gmail.com
professional A&H crystal.hammerschmidt@salina.org
website: diamondzendirt.com
Insta: @diamondzendirt
About the work- All the works on display are part of an ongoing series of “Iron Maidens,”
female forms modeled from observation of live models and habitual pattern making.
All are cast iron from either a lost wax process or a scratch block open face mold,
combined with various enamel paints and mixed media materials.
Dean Groves (Painting) is a resident of Salina Presbyterian Manor and has lived in Salina since 1945, a graduate of Salina High (1950), and Kansas Wesleyan University (1954). He was the co-founder of Insurors and Investors in 1971 (now Iron Insurance Partners). Was a signature member of Kansas Watercolor Society. Receive a “Best of Show” during the 1980’s at Salina River Festival. He has over 200 paintings owned by others.
Martha Oakes (Quilting) is a lifetime resident of Salina. She is a graduate of Salina Central High School and retired as purchasing manager after 39 years with Premier Pneumatics/K-Tron. She began quilting in the 1980’s and has donated much of her work to various organizations in the community. She has also sold some of her quilts over the years at the Sunny Side Pumpkin Patch and the Tumbleweed Craft Show and will soon display her work at an upcoming Greater Salina Community Foundation First Friday event. She and her husband were the first residents of the Villa development at Salina Presbyterian Manor where several of her quilts have earned ribbons in the Art Is Ageless program at the Manor.
Lucy Kollhoff (Painting) received her BS/MS degrees from Fort Hays State University. Originally, Ms. Kollhoff originally sought an art degree after high school; however, realizing that she did not want to be in a competitive world, went to work versus finishing college. After working in private industry for several years, she returned to Fort Hays State University to obtain both her BS and MS degree (counseling) addressing workforce and career pathway needs. She has worked in higher education in the areas of career counseling and coaching, and has been involved in retention, recruitment and placement of students into science, technology, engineering and math careers. A phrase she uses often about her varied career path, “ I feel I tied a loop with my passion for art – helping other paint pictures of their own lives”.She is currently involved in creating awareness of area resources that help individuals to succeed: Salina Initiative for Restorative Justice (certified mediator) and Women Helping Women. In her spare time she dabbles in various art mediums/various combinations of mediums, always looking to learn more and experience different art techniques. Lucy has exhibited in “Art is Ageless” (sponsored by Presbyterian Manor) for two years and plans to continue. “it’s amazing the viewing the various talents of those over 65 in Salina. You need to attend a showing! More info on Art is Ageless program (from 2024) https://www.presbyterianmanors.org/blog/pmma-presbyterian-manors-of-mid-america-announces-art-is-ageless-winners/
Lucy and husband Mike together enjoy other activities: golf, sailing and gardening.
Dr. Perry Hunsley (Painting) Before discovering a passion for painting during his retirement years, Dr. Perry Hunsley had devoted most of his life to Medical Arts. He practiced family medicine in Belleville, Kansas until 1972, when he moved with his family to Ohio to complete his residency in surgery at Akron General Medical Center. He then moved to Branson, Missouri where he was (the first) Chief of Surgery at Skaggs Community Health Center for 17 years. When he retired in 1995, he and his wife, Phyllis, became residents of the Salina Presbyterian Manor. He took up painting with instruction from Barbara Culley and enjoyed creating beautiful works of art for the rest of his life. To his surprise and pleasure, one of his earliest paintings was chosen by the Art Is Ageless jury for the PMMA Christmas card. In 2019 he was deemed Artist of the Month and had many of his works on display at the Manor.
Margie Reed (Knitting) is an avid seamstress, quilter and knitter who loves to create works of art for her family and friends. This sweater was made with love to share. Resident at Salina Presbyterian Manor since October of 2023.
Don Schroeder (Mixed Media) I inherited my interest in fly fishing and fly tying from my twin sons who attended universities in the Northwest where great fishing streams exist. I am a native Kansas and resident at Salina Presbyterian Manor since November of 2022.