AN APPRECIATION OF OUR NEXT EXHIBITING ARTIST

THE LADY FROM TOPEKA

    Sandra St. John: An Appreciation

Photo courtesy of Sandra St. John

Sandra. St. John grew up in a big old house in Topeka, Kansas, in a quintessential matriarchal atmosphere, with her grandmother, her mother, her aunt, one sister, two female cousins, and one brother, who somehow managed to remain heterosexual.  Six women under the influence of one great dominant matriarch, Grandma Tillinghurst, who introduced her brood to the world of culture and what people used to call "the finer things."  Topeka was not New York, of course, but it was on "the culture circuit," and Sandy made the most of it, singing and dancing her way to the "Miss Kansas" title, along with her ebullient rabbit creation, Jack Bunny.  Later, on the cruise line entertainment circuit she met Dallas News Staff Writer Bob St. John and married him in 1998.   Mt. Vernon has been fortunate to have them reside for many years at the Lake, as well as the Greek Isle of Paros, which they also called home.  Sandy is an accomplished painter, singer, dancer, poet and comedienne, who gives generously of her talents.  Since Bob's untimely passing last year, we've been so fortunate to have her stay here.  Welcome back to Center Stage, Sandy, and thanks for all those wonderful memories, with more yet to come!


---Tom Wilkinson

GETTING TO KNOW OUR OCTOBER ARTIST

Biography

Sandra St. John

"After a career as a singer and ventriloquist traveling the world, Sandra St. John traded her puppets for paints and a palette.  For years she had traveled the world performing on cruise ships and entertaining throughout the United States.  Yet her love of art was never far away.  She always carried a sketchbook, and when she was not traveling she managed to take art classes.  She studied at Collin Country Community College with artists such as James Tennyson, who painted Ann Richards' Capitol portrait and illustrator Michael McGar.  She says, "Half the time I got an A and the other half I would be traveling so much I'd have to withdraw and get a W. I guess you could say I had a J average!"  She has also learned through art workshops and videos of master artists.

Now Sandra is devoting her time to painting.  "Painting brings me the joy of seeing the wonders of the world ever more clearly.  Art asks not for erasing oneself, but it does demand a quieting of the self and an opening to that marvelous exchange encountered in the dialogue between the self and what is outside the self.  This happens at deeper and more profound levels as the artist grows in awareness.  I wish to experience this heightened  state of being and, through my art, share it with others."

She has received an award here and there, including first place in the Mt. Pleasant Art Society and Franklin County Arts Alliance shows.  She is also a signature member of the Southwestern Watercolor Society."

Meandering Through Mt. Vernon, Recent Works by Sandra St. John is a must see exhibit!  The exhibit opened October 13th and will close November 10th.  There will be a CLOSING RECEPTION ON NOVEMBER 10TH FROM 11am to 1pm.

*Photo and Bio courtesy of Sandra St. John

OUR NEXT EXHIBIT

Franklin County Arts Alliance Presents:

MEANDERING THROUGH MT. VERNON

Recent Works by Sandra St. John

Photo courtesy of Sandra St. John

JOIN US DURING COUNTRYFEST

OCTOBER 14^th from 10am-2pm

(EXHIBIT OPEN: OCTOBER 13-NOVERMBER 10)

CULTURAL ARTS CENTER

100 RUSK ST.

MT. VERNON, TX

(One block west of courthouse)