Art students show works at Kiesling

By RON LARSEN

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM--The Community Education Classes of 2002 will be exhibiting their paintings and drawings at the Council for the Arts in New Ulm Kiesling House Gallery beginning this weekend.

An artists' reception will be held at the gallery from 1-3 p.m. Sunday. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and 1-4 p.m. Sundays.

These are students who are enrolled in artist Ruth Lindemann's fall, winter and spring classes at New Ulm Senior High School. The exhibition includes two works each from 20 students in Lindemann's mixed media and drawing classes.

The classes run 2 1/2 hours in length and go for eight weeks, Lindemann said.

"I prefer to have no more than 12 students in a class," she said. "I don't like to have more than 12 because then I can't do justice to them. I really need to have time with each student."

The attention she gives each student pays off as her classes fill up quickly..

Jeanette Landsteiner of New Ulm, for example, has been taking classes from Lindemann for about three years.

"I started with watercolor, and I think that is my main love," Landsteiner said. "Recently, I've started in colored pencil on pencil and some acrylics."

Landsteiner who has two pieces in the show didn't hesitate in naming the reasons for coming back each year for Lindemann's classes.

"She's very creative. I like that she wants you to paint what you see."

Joseph M. Andreszcuk Sr. of New Ulm has been taking classes from Lindemann "for years." He works in watercolor and acrylics and has two pieces in the show.

"She's a very major asset to the community, and we're lucky to have her."

Sue Kral of New Ulm is one of Lindemann's newest students. She took two evening classes during the summer and a class this fall.

"Ruth's a good teacher. I have learned a lot, and I've learned how to do it on my own, as well."

Lindemann's connection with her students may stem from the fact that she continues to be a student herself.

"I just finished a watercolor class in botanical painting at the Bakkem Museum in Minneapolis," Lindemann said.