The Art Of
Coincidence

A combination of talent and accident
gets Anne Hearshen her first solo showing.

"I can't remember

not drawing,"

says the artist.

SUZANNE CHESSLER
Special to the Jewish News

A

funny thing happened to Anne Hearshen
on the way to getting her flu shot. She was
invited to showcase her paintings and
drawings at the Oak Park Public Library.
Hearshen, headed for the Oak Park Community
Center to get her yearly immunization, found a park-
ing space close to the library and decided to walk
through that building for some extra shelter on a bad-
weather day. A photography exhibit caught her eye,
and she took a close look at the images.
Her interest in the display led to a conversation with
library staff and made her feel comfortable about
pulling out some pen and ink drawings she had in her
handbag. By the end of the conversation, library direc-
tor John Martin had scheduled an exhibit of Hearshen's
artistic projects, and the 25 works will be on view
through January.
Hearshen, 81, who has been part of many group
exhibits, is thrilled with her first solo show.
"I can't remember not drawing," says the artist,
whose family has recalled her copying cartoons when
she was only 2 years old. "I love painting, and I work
in many styles from impressionist to abstract."
Among the works at the library are lively and color-
ful paintings that show the Detroit skyline with fire-
works, a beach scene and a fantasy rendering of a
woman with two bears.
Hearshen, whose earliest art classes were with instruc-
tors at Pewabic Pottery, went on to study at the Jewish
Community Center, the Birmingham Bloomfield Art
Center and at various workshops sponsored by artists'
organizations. Through these affiliations, she was asked
to participate in group shows.

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2001

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Hearshen's interest in art intensified after her
husband's death 24 years ago, when her sister-in-law,
Greta Baron, encouraged the versatile hobbyist to enjoy
this special interest.
For a time, she and 16 artists ran a collective, The
Artists' Gallery, where they were able to sell their work.
"I've always been creative, and I also write poetry,"
says Hearshen, a member of The Writers' Corner at the
Oak Park Jewish Community Center and the
Farmington Art Club. She also lends her voice as a 50-
year member of the Bel Canto Choir.
Hearshen, the mother of three and grandmother of
three, currently sells her paintings on commission
through shows and to people who hear about her tal-
ents. She also holds two part-time jobs doing telephone
market research.
"I live in an apartment in Southfield, and I don't
have much room to paint," Hearshen says. "I take
classes to learn new techniques and to give me the
space to work on my art." E

Above left:
"I take classes to learn new techniques
and to give me the space to work
on my art," says Hearshen, who lives
in an apartment in Southfield.

Above right:
Anne Hearshen enjoys
her first solo exhibition
at the Oak Park Public Library.

Anne Hearshen's paintings and drawings
will be on display through the end of
January at the Oak Park Public Library,
14200 Oak Park Blvd. Hours are 10 a.m.-9
p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 10 a.m.-5:30
p.m. Fridays-Saturdays and 1-5 p.m.
Sundays. (248) 691-7480.

