The Plymouth Arts Center (Wisconsin) has announced a new exhibition by the Water’s Edge Artists, a “Tribute in Honor of Kitty Lynne Klich.” The show is on display through April 30, 2021.
Water’s Edge Artists (WEA) – Painters for Preservation – is an alliance of plein air artists dedicated to artistically recording historic, endangered or threatened places. As artist activists for 15 years and continuing, WEA’s mission is accomplished by contributing portions of the sales of the artwork to organizations that support watersheds and historical sites.
More from the organizers:
A message from Donna Hahn, Executive Director of the Plymouth Arts Center: The late Kitty Lynne Klich was the president of Water’s Edge Artists up until the time of her passing in December 2019. An award-winning artist, Kitty was a member of the National Association of Professional Women, Oil Painters of America, Wisconsin Visual Artists – Southeast Chapter; Museum of Wisconsin Art – West Bend; Waters Edge Artists; and the Plymouth Arts Center. Her work was commissioned by corporations and individuals nationally, and throughout the State of WI.
Kitty began her tenure with the Plymouth Arts Center in 1997 as PAC’s resident oil painting instructor, presenting three to four classes weekly, annual special workshops, and an annual Student Art Exhibition and Gala. She retired from teaching at the PAC in May of 2014. During her teaching years, she also was the producer and emcee of PAC’s “Gallery Works” TV show, which was directed by Gary Kaiser and Plymouth Community TV-14. The shows consisted of intimate artist interviews and demos.
After Gallery Works, Kitty went on to produce “Painting Journeys,” a Sheboygan Community cable program directed by Keary Kautzer. She won several prestigious awards for these productions. For “Painting Journeys,” Kitty demonstrated her step-by-step painting techniques, creating beautiful oil paintings. With every brush stroke, her viewers not only gained artistic knowledge, they also went on a meditative journey with Kitty as she told stories about her vision for the painting, her travels, family, nature and animals, the universe, and her dreams.
Beyond her work as an artist/instructor for the Plymouth Arts Center, Kitty and her husband Jim were dedicated volunteers and generous members, caring deeply about the future of our organization. As a volunteer, Kitty coordinated and ran the annual PAC Paint the Towns En Plein Air event from 2010 to 2015, hosted more than 25 regional and local bus trips and three international trips, assisted with fundraising events, served as an usher, bartender, ticket person, and so much more.
Never afraid of taking the stage or using a microphone, Kitty was an amazing actress and hostess. She appeared in numerous theatre shows at the Plymouth Arts Center and Sheboygan Theatre Company.
Finally, we are forever grateful for Kitty’s devotion to the Plymouth Arts Center, her commitment to creating excitement and awareness for the arts in general, and especially for the many years of friendship and kindness. We all miss you greatly, and love you, Kitty!
“Kitty was a generous teacher, who was instrumental in my development as an artist,” said Dan Rizzi, WEA President. “She led WEA on a progressive and focused path by reaching out to other organizations for paint-outs and events, working tirelessly and unselfishly to organize and promote additional opportunities that benefited artists and her community.”
During previous President Chuck Eaton’s tenure, he said, “Kitty was always ready to step up and do what needed to be done. Whether it was taking on the duties of the treasurer, running the meetings when I was out of town, or sitting in a tent selling other people’s paintings, she did it all, even when I’m sure she would have rather been painting herself. Her joy and enthusiasm will be greatly missed.”
Chuck passed the baton of Presidential Leadership of WEA to Kitty, where she held the helm from 2017 until 2019. She remained dedicated to WEA, even during challenging times for her ‘in sickness and in health’, including attending the October 2019 WEA reception at their annual signature show at the Rahr-West Art Museum, just weeks before she died.
As Founder and Artistic Director Emerita of WEA, Bonnita Budysz shares that “Kitty’s unbridled infusion of interest and enthusiasm, of seeking and showcasing events and promotion opportunities, was her special brand of caring considerations in support of art and artists. Her organizing, facilitating, and networking skills, her pursuit of adventure, and her genuine warmth was so welcoming to participants for ‘A Painting Holiday in Ireland’, that we offered together in 2006. Even before her official commitment to WEA as President, she invited WEA artists many times as guest speakers and demonstrators on her Gallery Works and City of Sheboygan WSCS Productions shows. We are eternally grateful that she shared her all with WEA, and we salute and honor her generosity of spirit.”
For more information, please visit plymoutharts.org.
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