Art galleries change with the seasons

MT. PLEASANT — As the seasons change, so does the art in Mt. Pleasant.

Art displays have recently shifted for both The Mt. Pleasant Public Arts IMPACT Gallery and Mt. Pleasant Main Street Art Center.

For the months of October and November, the Arts IMPACT Gallery in Mt. Pleasant Public Library will feature local photography business owner, Kim Kingery’s work.

Scenes from throughout Southeast Iowa are currently displayed through Kingery’s work.

According to Kingery, she photographs people, animals, scenery, and “pretty much anything else I might find interesting!”

The 1998 Mt. Pleasant High School graduate earned her Bachelors in General Education/Art with a minor in Psychology from the University of Central Missouri.

Kingery lives in Mt. Pleasant, now, as a mother, a school bus driver, and a small-business owner, but some things have never changed.

“I started producing images many, many moons ago, as a child,” Kingery says on her webpage. “I took a hiatus for a bit, and was in and out from the mid-2000s to now.”

According to Kingery, becoming a mother to a son was the push she needed to reenter the world of her passion.

“I needed to dive back in,” she said. “[To Show] him to always follow your passions in life.”

“I am all in now!” her website reads. “I missed it!”

As gallery guests view her work, they will experience Kingery’s version of reality with images of landscapes, wildlife, old barns, and architecture.

“I shoot whatever catches my eye.” She said. “I’m generally more of a realist.”

As Kingery takes the helm of the Arts IMPACT gallery, a former featured artist will display her work at the Mt. Pleasant Main Street Art Center.

For the months of June and July, Susan Partain displayed her art in the very same gallery which shows Kingery’s photos, now.

Partian’s delicately detailed colored pencil drawings are currently on display at the Main Street Art Center, and will remain so for the rest of October.

In celebration of her exhibit, “Choosing Joy,” the community will enjoy her artist reception this evening, Thursday, Oct. 5 from 5-7 p.m. with music provided by Bret Netherton.

This transplant from Florida to Iowa, Partain, finds much of her inspiration in her very own garden.

Patrons are welcome to view Partain’s artwork throughout the month of October at the Art Center.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com