Timeless creativity

Rayma Silvers/Herald-Tribune-- Bobbi Kemna, Fort Scott, carefully displays a clay work in progress -- in the form of a cross.

Fort Scott, Kan. -- The ability to create does not stop with the onset of retirement. In fact, retirement allows senior citizens the extra time needed to pursue and develop their artistic abilities.

Local residents 65 and older were given the opportunity to participate in the 27th annual "Art is Ageless" calendar competition which took place in July of this year. The competition -- which was sponsored by Presbyterian Manors of Mid America, headquartered in Wichita -- proved to be a success for two Fort Scott residents.

Fort Scott citizen Bobbi Kemna entered a sculptured piece of art in the competition. Kemna's clay production, "Standing Tall Bottle Form," was a winning entry in this years competition.

Rayma Silvers/Herald-Tribune-- Bobbi Kemna stabilizes a bowl on a pottery wheel in a studio at her Fort Scott home. One of her pottery creations was a wining entry in this year's "Art is Ageless" calendar competition.

In 1992, Kemna's love for pottery took flight during a pottery class that she participated in. Since then, Kemna, who is now retired and has more time on her hands, has developed a love for the hobby, she said.

"That's me. That's what I do. It makes me happy," she said.

Kemna has refurbished an old rock house, which sits on her property. The antique structure, which is called the Pot Pantry, is bedecked with Kemna's finished products and also houses her pottery studio. Kemna said that she enjoys working in her studio.

"It is my sanctuary," she said.

Kemna said that she spends many hours in the Pot Pantry making new creations. She enjoys making pieces that have character. Instead of creating pottery that is perfectly round, she enjoys making pieces that are uniquely shaped. She does not make any two pieces the same, she said.

"Every piece has a story. I can tell you when I made it and what I was thinking at the time," she said.

According to Kemna, her art work is slowly beginning to catch the attention of others. Her pottery pieces have been shipped to almost every state in the United States, including Hawaii, in addition to one piece which was shipped to England.

"LIttle by little people are realizing that they want something a little bit different at a reasonable price," she said.

Kemna has spent time sharing her pottery knowledge with others even school children, she said. She said that school-aged groups have been entertained in her studio.

The students were encouraged to scavenge Kemna's pasture for texturing objects such as old wire. This pasture is the same place that Kemna finds many of her texturing objects as well. Kemna's grandchildren are also frequent visitors to the studio inside the Pot Pantry, she said.

Another entrant from Fort Scott Mary Sue O'Keefe, 82, won an honorable mention for her needle work piece, "Crazy Quilt Pillow," O'Keefe enjoys working with a variety of artwork. She has been working with arts and crafts for many years. Her latest craft adventure has been making jean purses, a press release from Presbyterian Manors stated.

Kemna's Art is Ageless piece will be featured in the 2008 Art is Ageless calendar on the month of August.

The calendar will feature the work of 12 winners in addition to four runner-up pieces that will be featured on postcards on the back cover of the calendar. Christmas cards, birthday cards, note cards, anniversary cards and sympathy cards will also display other entrant's works, the statement said.

The Art is Ageless competition attracted 77 entries form 17 different communities. Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America Corporate Director of Marketing Leslie Chaffin said that the company is pleased with the community participation.

"We are pleased with community response and the inclusion of the greater community has re-energized Art is Ageless as it moves into its next quarter century," she said.

O'Keefe said that the calendar and cards, which will be available for purchase in November, convey a positive message.

"The calendar and cards carry a very positive message regarding one's ability to pursue talents and interests throughout our lives, whether it is rekindling a hobby set aside while raising a family or fulfilling a lifelong desire," Chaffin said.

For more information about Art is Ageless, the calendar or cards contact Presbyterian Manors, 6525 E. Mainsgate, Wichita, KS 67226 or on line at www.presbyterianmanors.org. For more information about the Pot Panty, contact Kemna at (620) 223-4583.