(Posted Sept. 8, 2023)
The London Visual Arts Guild is hosting an exhibit titled “Life’s Rhythms,” featuring the acrylic paintings of Karla Knief Sill. The show runs Sept. 1-24 at the London Arts Center, 121 E. First St.
An opening reception is set for Sept. 1, 5-8 p.m. Regular gallery hours are: Thursdays and Sundays, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Open studio hours are 4-7 p.m. Tuesdays. Admission is free.
Karla’s paintings are an expression of her appreciation for nature. She uses a variety of techniques to capture the countryside, rivers, plants, birds, and animals.
She was born and raised in the country life and small town settings of Iowa, Indiana, and Ohio. Her love for art took off in third grade when she won a poster contest. She started taking formal art classes in seventh and eighth grade and elective high school classes in art and design. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in art education from Eastern Mennonite University in Virginia. She taught art at Mechanicsburg Schools in Ohio from 1980 to 2012.
With retirement came a new chapter in Karla’s artistic journey. She managed and held paint parties in Ohio and Florida where she wintered. She also taught summer art camps and classes for children through the London Visual Arts Guild with which she is a lifetime member.
In 2018, Karla became a full-time resident of Punta Gorda, Florida. She also is a member of the Punta Gorda Visual Arts Guild. Her paintings have been selected for inclusion in juried exhibitions at their Visual Art Center.
The exhibit includes a show within a show, featuring photography by Jenell Shrock. An opening reception for Shrock’s show is set for Sept. 17, 2-4 p.m.
