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A Walk of Art
Inspired by art walks in Wilkes-Barre and Pittston, Masonic Village at Dallas’ Walther Apartments featured an Art Walk this summer, showcasing photography and art by residents Vi Gommer (above left) and Charlotte Kindler (above right).
Located in Luzerne County, Dallas is a buzzing hub for arts, culture and entertainment, including next door Misericordia University’s Pauly Friedman Art Gallery, so it’s no surprise Masonic Village residents have a variety of artistic talents and interests.
Led by Carolyn Bosak, executive assistant, residents plan to rotate new artists throughout the year. Carolyn has been decorating the building for years for different seasons and thought showcasing residents’ creations would be a nice, personal touch.
At a friend’s suggestion, Charlotte took an art course at Luzerne County Community College to help her as she grieved the sudden loss of her husband.
“A whole new world opened up for me,” she said. “The course was not only therapeutic for my grief, but it made me discover a talent I didn’t know I had. I was addicted. If I couldn’t sleep at night, I would paint into the wee hours of the morning.”
Charlotte has entered pieces in art shows, winning awards and selling some of her work.
Vi has always enjoyed photography and has numerous albums of her work. She especially loves nature photography, and her collection includes local scenes and international ones.
Alongside her husband, Chuck, a retired pastor, she led volunteer mission trips all over the world, including Africa, Russia, Haiti and Cuba, building clinics, churches and schools. A nurse, Vi applied her skills in clinics and taught staff, patients and families.
Her photos have been showcased at The Lands at Hillside Farms, turned into framed art and covers for blank note cards and included in Mason Crest books, which “has been a high point in my photographic work,” she said.
Residents look forward to future campus art displays, which add color and inspire conversation.
