Pillars of the Community

Living Retrospective

Pillars of the Community is Kesryth's First Solo Exhibition featuring Eight portraits of leading members of Fairfield, Iowa's Community. In Kesryth's own words: "The Show is really a Living Retrospective of the people who help make Fairfield the wonderful place we all enjoy. Too often we wait to celebrate someone posthumously instead of when they're still here actively doing great things. With this Exhibit, my hope is people look at these Portraits and take a moment to think of these Pillar's of our community and appreciate them here and now while they're still with us and give them a hug or tell them thank you. Appreciating those who make our lives special is what this show is all about."

After originally painting Portraits of Bill Teeple and Werner Elmker for their impact in Kesryth's time in Fairfield, the idea of putting together a exhibition of portraits of other members of the community was born. Taking in suggestions of local town folk and those chosen to be painted, the final eight people were selected and asked to pose and be in the show. The Show includes portraits of Bill Teeple (Artist, Owner of ICON Gallery), Werner Elmker (Professional Classical Piano Maestro and World class Photographer), Mayor Ed Malloy (Mayor of Fairfield for the past 18 years), Dr. John Hagelin ( Leader of the Transcendental Meditation movement in the United States, Doctor in Quantum Physics, President of Maharishi University of Management), Suzan Bates Kessel (Artist, Founder of Fairfield Art Association and huge reason we have the Fairfield Arts & Convention center), Jewel McDonald (Artist, Owner of Morning Star Studio), Betsy Howland (Owner of Revelations Cafe) and Sarah Cochran ( Attorney, Current and Past member of multiple boards of Fairfield groups such as Chamber of Commerce, Iowa State Bank, Fairfield Arts & Convention Center, Indian Hills Community College, and Iowa Supreme Court Commission on continuing Legal Education Member and Chair).

Each Painting was painted Alla Prima, meaning at first attempt, a style of painting wet on wet in one sitting with each of these portraits taking between 3-5 hours to complete. This is Kesryth's  preferred method of painting as it helps capture this immediacy of the moment and keeps the painting feeling fresh.

The Opening Reception for the exhibit was held September 6th 2019 at Health and Wholeness VPK in Fairfield, Iowa. A wonderful turn out with the Pillars themselves coming out to see the show and take pictures with the artist and of their paintings. "Seeing people looking up at the Portraits and saying to me, You really captured them and their spirit. That meant everything to me." recounted Kesryth of the evening. "Truly a magical evening."

After having been exhibited at Health and Wholeness VPK from September - October 2019, the show has now begun it's tour to it's second venue at Fairfield Arts & Convention Center, where it'll be on display from November 1st- December 2019. After which the show will move to it's third venue at Revelations Cafe in Fairfield, Iowa where it will be on display from January - February 2020.