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Idaho Enterprise

Evening of the Arts Spotlight—Joan Hawkins

Hawkins has also painted figures, such as this life scene.

The Evening of the Arts fundraiser for the Hospital Foundation is rapidly approaching.  The event, which will feature auction items and displays by this year’s featured artists, will be held at the Event Center on April 6 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  Admission is free, and everyone is invited.  Bonsai “living art,” leatherwork, metal crafting, photography and more will be on display, courtesy of Malad’s outstanding local artists.

One of the artists featured this year will be Joan Hawkins, who manages to practice oil painting while also holding the position of mayor.  She has been practicing the art off and on for several decades.

“I still consider myself a beginner,” Hawkins said. “I started painting in about 1979 and only painted seriously for about three years. Painting takes a dedication that I couldn’t give at the time, and haven’t been able to give since that time, even though I have wanted to.” 

Like some of the artists we’ve profiled, Hawkins was introduced to her art through someone she knew.  “My friend, Shirlee South, was an artist; and I mentioned to her one day that I would love to learn,” Hawkins related.  “She set me up – gave me a used easel and took me shopping for paints. She taught me the basics; and one day we saw where an art professor from Utah State University, Professor Groutage, was holding a beginning art class in Brigham City, so we signed up. With Shirlee, I had started a painting of a log home by a river. In the class we learned how to shadow and paint structures. Our assignment was to paint rocks, so I made my log home a rock building. The only critique I received from Professor Groutage was that it wasn’t very smart of the person to build a rock house so close to a river! I did receive an A in his class, however, which encouraged me to continue.”

Hawkins progressed from her class into small local group of dedicated painters.  “From then on there was a fairly large group of us that got together and painted,” she recalled.  “Some in our group were very good artists, and they kept encouraging me and gave me tips. A few times we had an artist come to teach us technique. I mostly painted with oils, but one instructor we had taught me how to use oil pastels, and I completed one pastel. We painted often at Beth Sweeten’s large home on Bush Avenue, at Shirlee’s shop, which is now The Idaho Enterprise, and once we had a class at the elementary school. I loved it, but I couldn’t keep it up. I was working full time and raising three children. Even after my kids were raised, I had a demanding job and could never work painting back into my schedule.”

“The last painting I did was in about 2012 when I painted a tile for the Brigham City Temple Open House. Local artists were able to paint an approximate 10” x 10” square tile; and when they were all complete, they put them together and it became a large picture of the temple and grounds. I don’t know what happened to it – I would love to see it again. It was fun and challenging because we had to paint our own unique tile, and it had to match the colors that were given us. Mine were all very dark colors.” 

In recent years, Hawkins has returned to her art, and looked into pursuing new ways to express it.  “My dream has always been to get back painting again. I have canvas and paints waiting for me! The first thing I did after I retired from work in 2021 was to purchase supplies for watercolor. I have always wanted to learn to watercolor, so one of these days, I will pull everything out and see what I can do.”

Hawkins’ work will be displayed alongside that of Ladd Neilson (metal work), Patrick Werk (leathercrafts), Brian Llewelyn (bonsai), Ron Spomer (photography), the watercolor students of Dianne Adams, and local high school, middle school, and elementary school art students.  Funds raised at the event will be used to remodel and restore patient rooms at the hospital.  

The Easter Bunny will be handing out candy during the evening, and displays of art projects created by various departments of the hospital created using candy will also be on display.  Last year’s “Peeps” contest featured many highly inventive and entertaining displays featuring the perennial Easter candy.

Raffle tickets for two homemade quilts will be sold in conjunction with the evening long silent auction on gift baskets provided by local businesses, organizations and individuals.  A wide range of items, from gift certificates for services, items, trips, as well as materials will be available for both silent and live bidding.  The live auction is scheduled to begin at around 7:30, and will include a 3-night stay in an Island Park cabin, as well as other fantastic lots.

Everyone is welcome to attend the event, support arts in the community, and the hospital!