Hello Everyone,

We are very sad to let you know that our dear friend and longtime member Sally Hebeisen passed away. Sally was originally from Minnesota. A Fine Arts Degree from Drake University set her on her path of creating art and teaching art for many years in Wayzata Schools. She raised her family with her loving husband Robert, and later the two retired here to Florida, initially in Pelican Landing and later Bentley.

So many of you know Sally from classes, workshops, and exhibitions here at the Centers. She had so many friends and fellow artists with whom she shared ideas, techniques, and wonderful stories of teaching young students—sharing the gift of art.

I first met Sally years ago when she entered a beautiful watercolor painting in one of our gallery exhibitions. She’d won an award for her artwork. I congratulated her at the reception and asked her to tell me a little bit about her artwork. In her lovely, quiet way she spoke about the importance of drawing, how watercolor was such a unique medium, getting the perspective just right, and of course, color was critical. Listening to her, glancing at her artwork, and then back at Sally, I realized that for many of us, art isn’t just what we do, it’s who we are. Our art is an extension of us, how we see the world, sometimes how we’d like the world seen—through our eyes.

Over the years Sally won many other awards with the Centers and other organizations. She did some teaching for us, as well as helped so many of her friends in Pelican Landing, teaching them privately. Speaking with her about it I could see and feel her joy in teaching others, sharing her knowledge with them, helping them shine, and be proud of what they’d accomplished. One of Sally’s closest, longtime friends said, "Sally was so very talented—a dedicated artist and teacher—a woman who gave generously of her artistic talents with many local organizations.”

A celebration of Sally’s life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Bonita Springs on November 21 at 2pm. Here at the Centers, we’ve set up a scholarship fund in Sally’s name. Our goal is to award 20 scholarships each year to emerging artists of all ages. Help them grow, study with master artists like Sally, and realize their dream of creating beautiful artwork.

If you’d like to join me and donate to Sally's scholarship fund, please click on the green button, choose a scholarship option, and insert Sally Hebeisen on the page indicating your Memorial gift is dedicated to her. Or give our office a call at 239-495-8989.

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Yours respectfully,

Susan A. Bridges
President

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