A steady light rain this evening. Showers with perhaps a rumble of thunder developing overnight. Low 59F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%..
Tonight
A steady light rain this evening. Showers with perhaps a rumble of thunder developing overnight. Low 59F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
From left: Artist Patty Jones, ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Director of Public Art Jeff Pierson, artist Lynn Curry, ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin, artists Nancy Alfred, Katie James, John Wheeler, Steve Curry and KVSS Board of Directors member Angie O’Dell pull down on a covering unveiling “In Full Circle,†a new public artwork on the west side of the Kanawha Valley Senior Services building, at 1710 Pennsylvania Ave., in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä, on Wednesday, April 2, 2025.
Shirley Cunningham, of ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä, applauds during the ceremony unveiling a new piece of public art “In Full Circle†on the west side of the Kanawha Valley Senior Services building on ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä’s Pennsylvania Avenue on Wednesday, April 2, 2025.
From left: Artist Patty Jones, ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Director of Public Art Jeff Pierson, artist Lynn Curry, ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin, artists Nancy Alfred, Katie James, John Wheeler, Steve Curry and KVSS Board of Directors member Angie O’Dell pull down on a covering unveiling “In Full Circle,†a new public artwork on the west side of the Kanawha Valley Senior Services building, at 1710 Pennsylvania Ave., in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä, on Wednesday, April 2, 2025.
CHRIS DORST | Gazette-Mail
Every Monday at 10 a.m., a group of painters meets at the Kanawha Valley Senior Services art room.
They have no teacher, and some have little experience. But together, they help each other.
Wednesday, the art group unveiled their first public art project, “In Full Circle,†on the west side of the KVSS building, 1710 Pennsylvania Ave.
Art installation
The project was completed in conjunction with ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä’s Public Art Office. Jeff Pierson, public art director, was one of several artists who spoke to the art group. He took the seniors on a public art tour of ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä where they were inspired to create their own project.
The project consists of four aluminum circles that showcase public art on ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä’s East End. The art group and other seniors at the KVSS made abstract acrylic paintings on about 100 smaller circles, which were affixed to the large circles.
The name “In Full Circle,†was inspired by artist Shirley Cunningham, who mentioned the project could reflect the “circle of life,†said Angie O’Dell, another artist in the group.
‘T³ó±ð°ù²¹±è²â’
Cunningham said she hopes the seniors can create more circles to add to the project. She started painting in 1990 after her dad died. No one else in the family wanted to take his art supplies.
Shirley Cunningham, of ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä, applauds during the ceremony unveiling a new piece of public art “In Full Circle†on the west side of the Kanawha Valley Senior Services building on ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä’s Pennsylvania Avenue on Wednesday, April 2, 2025.
CHRIS DORST | Gazette-Mail
“I just have that feeling that I wanted to slap some oils on canvas,†she said.
Cunningham started taking classes. In 2015, after her husband died, she went to the KVSS for oil painting classes. She and the art group have been together ever since.
“It’s therapy for me,†she said.
Newbies encouraged
Nancy Alfred and Katie James joined the art group about six months ago. They didn’t know how to paint and thought there would be a teacher.
“We found out that we were going to come and just start painting to see what comes out. And then when we run into problems, they’ll come and tell us how to fix it,†Alfred said.
“We just picked it up,†James said.
The two said the group has welcomed them with open arms.
If you’re over 60 and interested in learning to paint, the KVSS art group meets every Monday at 10 a.m. Later this spring, they plan to host a series of drawing classes. No experience is required.
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