Keweenaw Krayons Mohawk Michigan

Staff

Call Keweenaw Krayons at (906) 337-4706

Keweenaw Krayons began in the summer of 98 when Carol Rose , owner of the Ramblin’ Rose Garden Gallery, found kids hanging out at her gallery. In exchange for getting her garden planted and weeded, they got use of her back room and art supplies as well as instruction from watercolor artist, Renee' Stemler.

 

When winter came and the weeds were hidden Carol didn’t want classes to stop so she called on Kathy McEvers, coordinator of Keweenaw County Kermit’s Kids, and got enough money for six kids to take watercolor classes on Saturdays with Renée.

Word spread and before winter was over more than 100 local youth had participated in classes. They also continued to 'hang out' during the regular operating hours of the gallery. Carol then brought them together to decide on a name and the program continued to grow. It is currently supported through funding and support from grants as well as corporate and individual donations, (see Sponsors Page) and the sale of cards, postcards and calendars made from the kid’s artwork and kid’s original art.

Because of the needs of the community, Keweenaw Krayons provides its programs at low or no cost. This is vital to programs in this area so that the low economic status of the majority will not deprive them of enriching artistic experiences. The staff and board feel if one person without the necessary funds misses out on the chance to learn more about the arts and feel better about themselves, the program has missed its goal. For classes with fees, Keweenaw Krayons offers scholarships and bartering.

Keweenaw Krayons is very much in favor of participants doing their part from the designing of art for sale and taking part in planning sessions, to students teaching students in art classes and doing regular maintenance in the studio and gardens. The youth and adults are an active part of everything that happens in the program.

Renée Stemler, Youth Watercolor Instructor

Renée's family donated the money in the Renée Stemler Memorial Fund to Keweenaw Krayons, and since then others have followed suit. We are honored and will use these funds for art supplies and scholarships.
Thank you to all!

 

It is January 28, 2003 and our hearts are filled with sadness. After waging a very brave battle against leukemia, Renee's short but wonderful, full and giving life ended last week. As with all of our staff, she was God sent. I remember meeting her almost five years ago, as she came with a beautician friend to look at beauty shop supplies (when I was closing that chapter of my life and moving into retail art gallery). What a meeting!!! Within days Renee' had brought over some of her beautiful watercolors to show me and I was proud to display them in the shop. We talked about the possibility of her teaching watercolor to the youth who were "hanging around". And she did - you only have to look at our walls, ceilings, greeting cards and calendars to see what a great artistic impact she had on young lives. But she didn't only teach art - she taught life skills and values and self esteem and so much more..

Her sayings will never leave. My favorite one: "There are no mistakes in art - only happy accidents."

We join her husband Mike, her children, Lyanne and Tyler, her parents, siblings, and all others whose life Renee' has touched, in their grief.

 

 

---