Charles SHOEmaker Art

 

The whimsical and colorful artwork featured on the Heartspring web site was created by our very dear friend, Charles SHOEmaker, who passed away in 2000.

Mr. SHOEmaker was also the artist who created the majority of the artwork found on Heartspring's campus. Each door and each entryway sign to the buildings that make up the Heartspring campus are a testament to his colorful representation of the world.

A nationally known artist who was a fixture at the Wichita's Art and Book fair for 27 years, his work is displayed in a number of permanent museum collections and corporate offices across the United States.

SHOEmaker had been associated with Heartspring for more than 20 years. He loved to tell stories to the children and draw pictures for them. His most noticeable work at Heartspring is a 9-by-14 foot colorful 3-dimensional mural built to commemorate the generous donors to the Heartspring's $14.25 million capital campaign.

He incorporated every letter of the alphabet in the mural as well as his trademark whimsical animals and the students' favorite activities, such as swimming and bowling and of course, since Heartspring is in Kansas ... a yellow brick road.

Of the students and staff at Heartspring, he did make marks, marks of understanding, service and friendship. His caring personality and his creative legacy will never be forgotten.