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Decoys and Canvases
by Donna Suther
Donna (Nelson) Suther was born in Canada and moved with her parents to South Dakota at 2 years of age. She married her husband Erwin (now deceased) and had 3 sons. After heart surgery she is making her home with her son and family in Kansas City.
She received her education in South Dakota and attended Northern State College and taught school.Donna was active in garden club and served as State President of the South Dakota Federatuib of Garden Clubs for 2 years. She served on many committees and was editor of the state newsletter for 12 years. She served 2 terms (1968-1971) as National Bird Chairman for the National Garden Clubs Inc. She also served as National Projects Chairman sponsoring Smoky Bear contest and reviewed gardening books on that committee.
In 1971 she opened a small art and craft shop which she operated for 34 years. Donna was interested in painting and teaching. She studied under national teachers throughout the United States learning many forms of arts. Donna traveled for 30 years teaching painting classes in 3 states(South Dakota, North Dakota and Minnesota) to hundreds of students from 5 to 8 years of age, There were many 3 generation students. Students were taught Tole and Decorative painting, canvas Rosemaling which is Norwegian Folk Art; painting on glass, pen and ink and wooden decoys teaching in oils and acrylic and water color pencils. She spent 15 years of "artist in resident" teaching art in North Dakota and South Dakota public schools for Kindergarten through 12th grade. She wrote her own curriculum using the elements of design. Her many students have painted on wood, tin, glass, canvas, ceramics, and cupboard doors papers included mi-teintes , rice paper and mat board. A painter joke is "If it stands still paint it".
Donna was the organizer and First President of the Northland Decorative Painters (in South Dakota, North Dakota, and Minnesota) from 1977-1980. Since arriving in Kansas City she has joined the Wyandot Arts Association and the Heart of America Painting Group, enjoying the company of Kansas art friends.
For more information about this or any other exhibit at the Kansas City, Kansas Public Library, call Sarah Bohndorf at (913) 596-5800, or email sbohnd@kckpl.lib.ks.us.
