Paintings along the Trail of Tears Exhibit 2026
2026-03-27 12:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | The Galleries at Heartland Art Club, 101A Argonne, Kirkwood, MO, 63122, United States
Heartland Art Club presents
Paintings along the Trail of Tears
In Support of the Steelville Trail of Tears Memorial Monument Fundraiser
Opening Reception: March 6, 2026, 6–8pm
Exhibition Dates: March 4 – April 4, 2026 – Extended through May 2, 2026
Heartland Art Club is proud to support the Steelville Trail of Tears Remembrance Committee in their goal to share stories of those who traveled the Trail of Tears through Crawford County, MO from 1837 to 1839.
Paintings Along the Trail of Tears includes artwork from the Steelville Arts Council (STARCO) Plein Air events of 2024 and 2025. With a goal of funding $200,000 to place a permanent monument at one of the encampment sites, these works have been auctioned to assist in raising funds and building awareness of the remembrance effort.
Also on display will be a model of the Memorial Monument, artifacts from the 1830s and other items to tell the story about The Trail of Tears and its massive push by the United States government to forcibly remove all native people from the southeastern United States.
All artwork is being sold without a commission to the Gallery so that all of the proceeds go toward the monument fundraiser.
For more info about the Steelville’s Trail of Tears Remembrance: trailoftears.steelvillehistoricalsociety.com.

2026 Henryk Ptasiewicz Retrospective
2026-05-06 12:00 - 17:00 | The Galleries at Heartland Art Club, 101A Argonne, Kirkwood, MO, 63122, United States
Join us for a celebration of the artist, Henryk Ptasiewicz and his masterful and colorful art.
Reception: Friday, May 8, 2026, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm AND Saturday, May 9, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm
On Display from May 6, 2026, through June 6, 2026
Henryk PtasiewiczHenryk Leon Ptasiewicz (1955–2025) was a British-born artist whose work and presence left a lasting impact on the St. Louis art community. Born in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, England, he was the only child of Gladys Dent Ptasiewicz and Henryk Leon Ptasiewicz, a decorated World War II navigator with the Polish RAF. He studied technical illustration at Kelsterton College in North Wales and earned a BA in Graphic Design from St. Martin’s School of Art in London in 1978.
In England, Henryk built a wide-ranging creative career as a painter, illustrator, designer, and sculptor. He spent years designing and constructing fiberglass works, from playground structures to full-scale dinosaurs, and later worked as a special effects designer and book illustrator. During this time, his friendship with figurative painter Robert Lenkiewicz helped shape his commitment to painting from life and to telling meaningful human stories through art.
Henryk moved to St. Louis in 1999 and quickly became an integral part of its arts community. He launched his “Hire Your Own Picasso” practice, painting commissions and teaching, and became active with the St. Louis Art Guild, where he regularly painted alongside fellow artists. A master colorist known for bold, expressive brushwork, he was devoted to painting from life, capturing people and their stories with energy and compassion. He was also a founding member of the Missouri Plein Air Painters and an award-winning participant in regional plein air events, including an invitation to the Door County Plein Air Festival in 2017.
Deeply engaged in the community, Henryk contributed to major public projects, including painted fiberglass cake sculptures for St. Louis’ 250th anniversary, and maintained an active live drawing practice at events, fundraisers, and gatherings across the region. Widely respected by fellow artists, he was known for his generosity, always willing to share his knowledge or paint alongside others. Henryk lived fully as an artist until his passing on October 22, 2025, after a day spent working in his studio at the Fine Arts Building in Soulard. He is remembered not only for his remarkable body of work, but for the community he helped build and the lives he touched through his art.

Opening Reception - 2026 Henryk Ptasiewicz Retrospective
2026-05-08 17:00 - 20:00 | The Galleries at Heartland Art Club, 101A Argonne, Kirkwood, MO, 63122, United States
Join us for the opening reception of a celebration of the artist, Henryk Ptasiewicz and his masterful and colorful art.
Reception: Friday, May 8, 2026, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm AND Saturday, May 9, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm
Henryk Leon Ptasiewicz (1955–2025) was a British-born artist whose work and presence left a lasting impact on the St. Louis art community. Born in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, England, he was the only child of Gladys Dent Ptasiewicz and Henryk Leon Ptasiewicz, a decorated World War II navigator with the Polish RAF. He studied technical illustration at Kelsterton College in North Wales and earned a BA in Graphic Design from St. Martin’s School of Art in London in 1978.
In England, Henryk built a wide-ranging creative career as a painter, illustrator, designer, and sculptor. He spent years designing and constructing fiberglass works, from playground structures to full-scale dinosaurs, and later worked as a special effects designer and book illustrator. During this time, his friendship with figurative painter Robert Lenkiewicz helped shape his commitment to painting from life and to telling meaningful human stories through art.
Henryk moved to St. Louis in 1999 and quickly became an integral part of its arts community. He launched his “Hire Your Own Picasso” practice, painting commissions and teaching, and became active with the St. Louis Art Guild, where he regularly painted alongside fellow artists. A master colorist known for bold, expressive brushwork, he was devoted to painting from life, capturing people and their stories with energy and compassion. He was also a founding member of the Missouri Plein Air Painters and an award-winning participant in regional plein air events, including an invitation to the Door County Plein Air Festival in 2017.
Deeply engaged in the community, Henryk contributed to major public projects, including painted fiberglass cake sculptures for St. Louis’ 250th anniversary, and maintained an active live drawing practice at events, fundraisers, and gatherings across the region. Widely respected by fellow artists, he was known for his generosity, always willing to share his knowledge or paint alongside others. Henryk lived fully as an artist until his passing on October 22, 2025, after a day spent working in his studio at the Fine Arts Building in Soulard. He is remembered not only for his remarkable body of work, but for the community he helped build and the lives he touched through his art.

Opening Reception II - 2026 Henryk Ptasiewicz Retrospective
2026-05-09 18:00 - 20:00 | The Galleries at Heartland Art Club, 101A Argonne, Kirkwood, MO, 63122, United States

Pets in Pastel UNLEASHED! with Lisa Ober: 5/22/2026 - 5/24/2026
2026-05-22 09:00 - 2026-05-24 16:00 | The Galleries at Heartland Art Club, 101A Argonne, Kirkwood, MO, 63122, United States
Attention animal lovers! Lisa Ober will be offering an enthusiastic hands-on workshop loaded with information and instruction for outstanding pet portraits. Unleash your love for pets and painting in a friendly atmosphere surrounded by other artists who adore animals and want to capture their personality on paper.
Lisa’s step-by-step approach to pastel painting provides an excellent foundation for your future endeavors. You won’t be overwhelmed when approaching a new subject because you will learn exactly how to approach a pastel painting.
Each student will get plenty of attention and guidance throughout the workshop. Lisa will share all her secrets for creating realistic paintings of pets, and much of what Lisa shares can also be applied to other subject matter.
Whether you are new to pastel painting or have a lifetime of experience you are sure to pick up tips, tricks, and secrets that will make your animal paintings come to life. Drawing experience is helpful but you don’t need to be a pro. Just come with a willingness to learn new things with a positive attitude and you will surprise yourself!
Topics covered
– The best pastels and surfaces for realistic pet portraits
– Lisa’s organized step-by-step approach to pastel painting
– How to apply pastel to achieve a great end result
– What to do for all black fur or all white fur
– Tons of tips and tricks to make your paintings the best they can be
– How to create your own artistic voice using Lisa’s method
– Suggestions for obtaining great pet photos
– Answers to your pastel painting questions (products, framing, application, and more)
Days 1 & 2
For the first two days students will paint from the same printed photo reference (typically a dog) supplied by Lisa unless you have taken a workshop from Lisa before*. This will keep the class on pace and help us all learn from each other. It’s not a race, but most students will have enough time and instruction to complete a pet portrait during the first two days.
As mentioned, printed photo references for days 1 & 2 are provided the day of class. If you would like to work from a tablet or phone, the image will be sent to you on the first day of class. Please remember to bring a charger. Wifi is available.
Day 3
Come prepared with a high quality color photo of YOUR favorite pet and get started on your next portrait by applying what you have learned! You will want to print your photo on glossy photo paper and have an electronic copy as well for your phone or iPad. Make sure your photo is crystal clear, in color, and details are visible…especially the eyes.
*If you have taken a workshop with Lisa before, you may work from your own photo for the entire workshop with prior approval. Please email Lisa your reference at least two weeks before the workshop. The reason for this is Lisa wants to make certain you are successful and having a clear, color photo with the proper perspective which is important to the resulting painting. Please email Lisa at lisaaober@gmail.com if you would like to do this.
Heartland Art Club Members: Enter the member discount code to get 10% off at checkout.
Forgot the discount code? Check your email first—we send members a quarterly email reminder with the member discount code. If you still can’t find it, please email us (art@heartlandartclub.org) with your name, email address, and phone number—we’ll verify your membership status and send you the code.
Not a member? Sign up here
Read the Workshop & Class Information & Policies
3 Day Workshop
When: May 22 through May 24, 2026, 9 AM to 4 PM
All three days doors will open at 8:30 and class will begin at 9:00 AM and end at 4:00 PM
Limited to 15 participants.
​Location:
The Galleries at Heartland Art Club
101A West Argonne
Kirkwood, Missouri 63122
Supply ListAbout Lisa OberLisa Ober is a nationally recognized portrait and still life painter, workshop instructor, and a founder and board member of the Heartland Art Club in St. Louis, MO. Her award-winning work has been featured in publications such as The Pastel Journal and Southwest Art. She has earned numerous honors in the international Pastel 100 competition sponsored by The Pastel Journal, as well as a top award in the prestigious PastelWorld exhibition held at the IAPS Biennial Convention.
Known for clever compositions, exquisite realism, and remarkable detail, Ober’s paintings are sought after by collectors who appreciate both her technical mastery and her expressive storytelling. She delights in making pastels “behave” exactly as she envisions, continually exploring fresh and innovative approaches to the medium.
A passionate and enthusiastic teacher, Ober loves sharing the versatility, immediacy, and excitement of pastel with students of all experience levels. She is a Signature Member of the Pastel Society of America, a Signature Member of the Heartland Art Club, and an IAPS Master’s Circle member.
Email: LisaAOber@gmail.com
Website: https://lisaober.com

2026 Signature Members' Showcase
2026-06-10 08:00 - 17:00 | The Galleries at Heartland Art Club, 101A Argonne, Kirkwood, MO, 63122, United States
The best of Heartland Art Club, all in one place. The Signature Member Showcase features artists who have been juried into Signature status, recognized for mastery of their medium, consistency, and exceptional quality. This exhibition highlights work that sets the standard and inspires artists at every level.

2026 Reception - Signature Members' Showcase
2026-06-13 18:00 - 20:00 | The Galleries at Heartland Art Club, 101A Argonne, Kirkwood, MO, 63122, United States
The best of Heartland Art Club, all in one place. The Signature Member Showcase features artists who have been juried into Signature status, recognized for mastery of their medium, consistency, and exceptional quality. This exhibition highlights work that sets the standard and inspires artists at every level.
June 13, 2026, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm
On display from June 10 – July 8, 2026
Call for entry deadline: May 11, 2026
Drop off dates: May 20, 2026 – June 3, 2026
Signature Members Enter Here

2026 Spotlight Series - Reverie in Tonalism
2026-07-08 12:00 - 17:00 | The Galleries at Heartland Art Club, 101A Argonne, Kirkwood, MO, 63122, United States
2026 Spotlight SeriesReverie in Tonalism
Tracey Maras & Harry Starr On display July 11, 2026 through October 3, 2026
Opening Reception July 11, 2026, 3:00 – 5:00 pm
Poetic, tranquil, restful, harmonious, peaceful, reverie, dreamlike, enchanting, mysterious, romantic, and a sense of metamorphosis. All words to describe Tonalism.
Tonalism is a uniquely American art movement. A movement characterized by harmonious colors, introspective moods, and a romantic appreciation for nature. Tonalism originated as the cousin to Europe’s Impressionism, but in a more subdued and reverent mood. It has become the cornerstone of American landscape painting.
Harry Starr and Tracey Maras embrace the aesthetics of Tonalism in their work.
Starr creates a sense of metamorphosis in each of his photographs. Whether landscape or still life, his pieces evoke mystery, enchantment, and elegance.
Maras conveys an atmosphere of serenity and peaceful tranquility in her pastel paintings. Regardless of subject matter, there is a connectedness to nature.
Starr and Maras may utilize different mediums of artistic expression. However, their work shares a respect and reverence for nature. Themes that weave themselves throughout Tonalism.

Reception - 2026 Spotlight Series - Reverie in Tonalism
2026-07-11 15:00 - 17:00 | The Galleries at Heartland Art Club, 101A Argonne, Kirkwood, MO, 63122, United States

2026 Members' Showcase
2026-07-15 12:00 - 17:00 | MO
The Members Showcase is one of Heartland Art Club’s most popular annual events, a celebration of the talent across our full membership. Whether you’re a seasoned exhibitor or showing with us for the first time, this is your chance to share your best work with the Heartland Art Club community and the public.
Visit the Members Showcase page for full details, guidelines, and to submit your entry. We hope to see every member represented on the walls this year!
Visit the Event Submission Page

2026 Members’ Showcase Reception
2026-07-18 06:00 - 20:00 | The Galleries at Heartland Art Club, 101A Argonne, Kirkwood, MO, 63122, United States
The Members Showcase is one of Heartland Art Club’s most popular annual events, a celebration of the talent across our full membership. Whether you’re a seasoned exhibitor or showing with us for the first time, this is your chance to share your best work with the Heartland Art Club community and the public.
Visit the Members Showcase page for full details, guidelines, and to submit your entry. We hope to see every member represented on the walls this year!
Visit the Online Gallery

Alla Prima Figure Workshop with Melissa Tychonievich: 7/25/2026 - 7/26/2026
2026-07-25 09:00 - 2026-07-26 15:00 | The Galleries at Heartland Art Club, 101A Argonne, Kirkwood, MO, 63122, United States
“The term “Alla Prima” is a traditional French art term that translates to “all at once,” and this describes the process of painting directly onto the white canvas without the use of a drawing or underpainting. In this two-day oil painting workshop, students will work from the live model in one long pose using a traditional Alla Prima painting process. Students will learn the basics of how to balance form, color, value, and brushwork while rendering the human figure from life. Each day, the workshop will begin with a demonstration on how to start/continue the painting and then students will work individually with personalized feedback from the instructor.
”
Supply ListHeartland Art Club Members: Enter the member discount code to get 10% off at checkout.
Forgot the discount code? Check your email first—we send members a quarterly email reminder with the member discount code. If you still can’t find it, please email us (art@heartlandartclub.org) with your name, email address, and phone number—we’ll verify your membership status and send you the code.
Not a member? Sign up here
Read the Workshop & Class Information & Policies
2 Day Workshop
When: July 25 through July 26, 2026, 9 AM to 3 PM
Limited to 12 participants.
​Location:
The Galleries at Heartland Art Club
101A West Argonne
Kirkwood, Missouri 63122
About Mel TychonievichMel Tychonievich is a professional artist from to St. Louis, Missouri. They received their Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting and Art History at the Kansas City Art Institute in 2017, and their Master of Fine Arts in Painting from the University of Miami in 2021. Their work is rooted in the foundational practice of recording perceptual information from observation, specifically figurative drawing and painting from life. They have been featured nationally, including at the H and R Bloch Artspace in Kansas City, Missouri; the Old Courthouse Arts Center in Woodstock, Illinois; the University of Miami Art Gallery in Wynwood; and locally at Framations Gallery, Soulard Art Gallery, Fontbonne University, the St. Louis Artists’ Guild, and the Angad Arts Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri. They currently live with their partner in St. Louis, Missouri, and teach as an Adjunct Professor of Art and Art History at St. Louis Community College and St. Charles Community College.
Website: www.melissatychonievich.com
Email: melissatychonievich@gmail.com

BS Saturday - Tricks of the Trade En Plein Air: 08/01/2026
2026-08-01 13:30 - 15:00 | The Galleries at Heartland Art Club, 101A Argonne, Kirkwood, MO, 63122, United States
The Tricks of the Trade of Plein Air
Have you wanted to paint “en plein air” (outdoors from life) but didn’t know where to begin?
Have you been painting outdoors but struggle or feel you’re missing something?
Do you have questions about equipment used or maybe how to travel with your plein air equipment? Are you curious about the benefits of painting en plein air?
Or maybe you’re curious about plein air competitions?
Come to Heartland Art Club’s BS Saturday, “The Tricks of the Trade of Plein Air”. We have four experienced plein air painters; Gino Santa Maria, Kathy Morrison, Allen Kriegshauser, and Veronica Brown, ready to discuss the “Tricks of the Trade”, their experiences, and answer your general questions about plein air painting.
When: August 1, 2026, 1:30PM to 3 PM
Limited to 30 participants.
​Location:
The Galleries at Heartland Art Club
101A West Argonne
Kirkwood, Missouri 63122
About Gino Santa MariaSaint Louis based artist, Gino Santa Maria, is a representational oil painter with a passion for exploring the transformative effects of light and color in the world around us.
Born in Peru, he showed a strong inclination for painting since childhood. Though later trained as an engineer, he knew that pursuing art was his true passion.
His work reflects the beauty found in the breathtaking views of nature as well as in the small, mundane things. His paintings consist primarily of landscapes, portraits, still lifes and urban depictions.
He views nature as a reflection of God’s character, so he has a deep connection with the great outdoors. When Gino is not working in his studio, he can be found painting on location en plein air where he makes small studies for larger pieces.
His work adorns the walls of private and public collections around the world, such as Baltusrol Country Club in Springfield, NJ and Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C.
email: gino@ginosantamaria.com
https://www.ginosantamaria.com
About Allen KriegshauserAllen Kriegshauser was raised with a strong sense of competition, but it became clear early on that a career in sports or music was not in the cards. Instead, he found both solace and recognition through drawing. At the age of 13, he began painting landscapes in oil—a medium that resonated with him and has remained his passion ever since.
Following his academic studies at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Allen continued his artistic training at the Kansas City Art Institute (KCAI), where he refined his drawing and painting techniques and earned a BFA.
With over 50 years of experience, Allen is a nationally recognized painter, celebrated for his expressive use of color and compelling compositions. His work has been featured in Plein Air Magazine, Arts in America, PBS programs, radio interviews, and numerous other publications.
For the past 20 years, he has actively competed in 6–9 plein air events annually across the country. Recent events include Bath County Plein Air, Paint Grand Traverse, Solomons Island Plein Air, Easels in Frederick, Plein Air Texas, and many others. When not competing, he serves as a judge for plein air competitions and teaches workshops.
Gallery Representation:
• Warm Springs Gallery – Bath County, VA
• Grafica Gallery – Webster Groves, MO
• Heartland Art Club – Kirkwood, MO
About Kathy MorrisonKathy’s love for painting started nearly 50 years ago, at the age of 10, when she begged her parents for private oil painting lessons. Her art instruction continued through high school and college years where Kathy learned a variety of mediums including pastel and watercolor. Painting was just a hobby until Kathy discovered her passion for Plein Air after taking a workshop roughly a decade ago. A few years later she began competing in Plein Air events and found her “tribe” of like-minded painters. In 2021 Kathy switched her focus to watercolor and has been practicing and competing primarily in this medium since then, occasionally returning to her roots in oils.
Kathy lives in the Midwest with her husband, Tom and their 3 dogs.
About Veronica Brown“You can learn a lot of important life-lessons around the farm that apply to creating art as well, one of them being always get back on the horse if you get thrown, don’t give up when life or painting throws a curve at you.”

Veronica grew up in rural Missouri where the roads were still gravel, kids learned the value of having farm animals and being responsible for their care, and there were always adventures to be found outdoors, many of which included horses.
Since she was a small kid, she has been driven to create and has done so via a lot of different means and media. It wasn’t until she started taking oil painting classes in 2002 that she felt she’d finally found “her” medium and it wasn’t until life changes in 2020 that she made the committed leap from the corporate tech world to being a full-time artist. She is excited about color, light, pattern and shape, as well as certain subject matter and the memories that it evokes from her childhood.

Veronica strives to show the viewer that the eyes of both man and critter can show a personality, that lighting can be everything, and that there is a vast amount of subtle, often unexpected color in nature. For example, a white horse is not just white, nor is a black horse just black. “This world has so much beauty but not all of it screams for attention, causing it to often be overlooked. Through painting, I want to show how beautiful the ordinary can be. I want to paint a moment, or capture a feeling and not an exact copy of what is before me. By painting this way, I hope to invite my viewer to come and take a walk in my boots, and see the world through my eyes because this life is pretty amazing.”
email: veronica@veronicabrownart.com
website: www.veronicabrownart.com

Watercolor Landscape with Christopher Leeper: 8/7/2026 - 8/9/2026
2026-08-07 09:00 - 2026-08-09 16:00 | The Galleries at Heartland Art Club, 101A Argonne, Kirkwood, MO, 63122, United States
Watercolor Workshop with Christopher Leeper
Chris teaches in a fun and relaxed style. There will be daily demo and lectures, and lots of one-on-one instruction.
What we will discuss in this workshop:
– Technique fundamentals (Things I wish I knew 30 years ago).
Getting the most from our brushwork and our palette.
– The first half-hour of a painting (Make it or break it).
Understanding the importance of drawing and early painting development.
– Values (Why value is more important than color in your painting).
We will do value studies and small color studies to understand value shapes and painting structure.
– Color (Spend more time painting and less time mixing colors).
Understanding color temperature, intensity, value, and basic color theory to improve color mixing.
– Composition (If it feels right, it probably is right).
We will discuss pictorial design and learn how to create dynamic compositions.
Supply ListHeartland Art Club Members: Enter the member discount code to get 10% off at checkout.
Forgot the discount code? Check your email first—we send members a quarterly email reminder with the member discount code. If you still can’t find it, please email us (art@heartlandartclub.org) with your name, email address, and phone number—we’ll verify your membership status and send you the code.
Not a member? Sign up here
Read the Workshop & Class Information & Policies
3 Day Workshop
When: August 7 through August 9, 2026, 9 AM to 4 PM
Limited to 12 participants.
​Location:
The Galleries at Heartland Art Club
101A West Argonne
Kirkwood, Missouri 63122
About Christopher LeeperChristopher Leeper is a realist painter and workshop instructor painting in all mediums.

He has written and illustrated the book Realism in Watermedia, (North Light). His work has also been featured in The Artist’s Magazine, Plein Air Magazine, Watercolor Magic and Ohio Magazine. In 2021,
he was a finalist in the Plein Air Magazine Salon.

He participates frequently in national juried and invitational plein air events.

He graduated from Youngstown State University (YSU) in 1988 with a BFA degree in graphic design. He was an adjunct faculty member of the YSU Art Department for 22 years. He is past president of the Ohio Watercolor Society and is a signature member of the Oil Painters of America and National Oil and Acrylic Painters’ Society. He works and teaches from his studio in Canfield, Ohio.

email: leepart@zoominternet.net

www.christopherleeper.com

Secrets to Interpreting the Landscape with Gino Santa Maria: 9/4/2026 - 9/5/2026
2026-09-04 09:00 - 2026-09-05 16:00 | The Galleries at Heartland Art Club, 101A Argonne, Kirkwood, MO, 63122, United States
Every landscape holds a story, whispered through light, shadow, composition, and form. This workshop invites you to look beyond the surface, to sense the poetry of place, and to translate nature’s quiet mysteries onto canvas. Together we’ll explore how to capture not just what is seen, but what is felt—creating paintings that resonate with mood, meaning, and authenticity.
Heartland Art Club Members: Enter the member discount code to get 10% off at checkout.
Forgot the discount code? Check your email first—we send members a quarterly email reminder with the member discount code. If you still can’t find it, please email us (art@heartlandartclub.org) with your name, email address, and phone number—we’ll verify your membership status and send you the code.
Not a member? Sign up here
Read the Workshop & Class Information & Policies
2 Day Workshop
When: September 4 through September 5, 2026, 9 AM to 4 PM
Limited to 16 participants.
​Location:
The Galleries at Heartland Art Club
101A West Argonne
Kirkwood, Missouri 63122
About Gino Santa MariaSaint Louis based artist, Gino Santa Maria, is a representational oil painter with a passion for exploring the transformative effects of light and color in the world around us.
Born in Peru, he showed a strong inclination for painting since childhood. Though later trained as an engineer, he knew that pursuing art was his true passion.
His work reflects the beauty found in the breathtaking views of nature as well as in the small, mundane things. His paintings consist primarily of landscapes, portraits, still lifes and urban depictions.
He views nature as a reflection of God’s character, so he has a deep connection with the great outdoors. When Gino is not working in his studio, he can be found painting on location en plein air where he makes small studies for larger pieces.
His work adorns the walls of private and public collections around the world, such as Baltusrol Country Club in Springfield, NJ and Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C.
email: gino@ginosantamaria.com
https://www.ginosantamaria.com

2026 Solo Spotlight Series - Erin Blumer - Light, Water, & Care
2026-10-08 12:00 - 17:00 | The Galleries at Heartland Art Club, 101A Argonne, Kirkwood, MO, 63122, United States
Erin Blumer – Light, Water, & Care: St. Louis Flora in Watercolor for Barnes-Jewish HospitalOpening Reception Friday, October 9, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00
On Display October 8, 2026 – January 9, 2027
When Barnes-Jewish Hospital commissioned watercolor paintings for the patient rooms of its new Plaza West Tower, they turned to St. Louis artist Erin Blumer. The brief: create original works rooted in the botanical life of the city, one set of paintings for each of the tower’s 12 patient floors, each floor representing a different garden or natural area. Blumer spent a year visiting Forest Park, the Missouri Botanical Garden, and Shaw Nature Reserve, observing plants through their peak seasons and translating what she found into 34 original watercolors. Those paintings now live, as large-format reproductions, on the walls of patient rooms throughout the tower.
This exhibition brings the original works together, alongside 12 new paintings created specifically for this show. The full collection spans prairies, woodland gardens, iris beds, and native shade plantings, all rendered in Blumer’s characteristic style, where careful observation and abstract qualities of light, texture, and color work together. If you’ve been a patient at Plaza West Tower, you may recognize some of these paintings. If you haven’t, this is a rare chance to see the originals up close.

2026 Solo Spotlight Series Opening Reception - Erin Blumer - Light, Water, & Care
2026-10-09 18:00 - 20:00 | The Galleries at Heartland Art Club, 101A Argonne, Kirkwood, MO, 63122, United States
Heartland Solo Spotlight SeriesErin Blumer – Light, Water, & Care: St. Louis Flora in Watercolor for Barnes-Jewish HospitalWhen Barnes-Jewish Hospital commissioned watercolor paintings for the patient rooms of its new Plaza West Tower, they turned to St. Louis artist Erin Blumer. The brief: create original works rooted in the botanical life of the city, one set of paintings for each of the tower’s 12 patient floors, each floor representing a different garden or natural area. Blumer spent a year visiting Forest Park, the Missouri Botanical Garden, and Shaw Nature Reserve, observing plants through their peak seasons and translating what she found into 34 original watercolors. Those paintings now live, as large-format reproductions, on the walls of patient rooms throughout the tower.
This exhibition brings the original works together, alongside 12 new paintings created specifically for this show. The full collection spans prairies, woodland gardens, iris beds, and native shade plantings, all rendered in Blumer’s characteristic style, where careful observation and abstract qualities of light, texture, and color work together. If you’ve been a patient at Plaza West Tower, you may recognize some of these paintings. If you haven’t, this is a rare chance to see the originals up close.

Taking Command of Your Scene en Plein Air with Shawn Cornell: 10/24/2026 - 10/25/2026
2026-10-24 09:00 - 2026-10-25 16:00 | Kirkwood Park, 111 S Geyer Rd, Saint Louis, MO, 63122
“But that’s how it looked.” is a common cry from artists when defending any stumbling blocks in their paintings. This is one of the earliest excuses artists learn to lean on. It’s a favorite crutch best discarded since art is about creating, not copying. In this two day, plein air, landscape workshop we will focus on strengthening those creative legs, elevating the imagination and ditching the crutch of “But that’s how it looked.”
Additional discussions will touch on:
• The importance of “Thinking More Before Painting More” – TM • PM
• Contrast in your paintings beyond just value contrasts
• Talking to yourself, constantly asking yourself questions and the importance of self-critiquing
• Simple tips in dealing with painting outsides in Mother Nature’s ever-changing conditions
During the workshop, we’ll be having lots of fun doing lots of thinking and painting. During the first day we’ll talk a little, I’ll demo a little, and you’ll be painting and sketching a lot. The second day will be a bit of the same in the morning and then you’ll have several hours to create your masterpiece (no pressure). At 2:30, we will pack-up and go to The Galleries at the Heartland Art Club for more conversions and your painting’s critique. We’ll also have some drawings for any of my demos that survive the weekend.
Heartland Art Club Members: Enter the member discount code to get 10% off at checkout.
Forgot the discount code? Check your email first—we send members a quarterly email reminder with the member discount code. If you still can’t find it, please email us (art@heartlandartclub.org) with your name, email address, and phone number—we’ll verify your membership status and send you the code.
Not a member? Sign up here
Read the Workshop & Class Information & Policies
2 Day Workshop
When: October 24 through October 25, 2026, 9 AM to 4 PM
Class will begin at 9:00 AM and end at 4:00 PM
Limited to 15 participants.
​Location:
Kirkwood Park
111 S Geyer Rd, Saint Louis, MO 63122
AND
Galleries of Heartland Art Club
101A West Argonne
Kirkwood, Missouri 63122
Suggested Supply ListAbout Shawn CornellAs a plein air painter, Shawn is outdoors year round attempting to capture on canvas the wonders and beauty of Missouri’s four seasons. His paintings are neither cutting edge nor deep in metaphorical meaning, they’re simply stories about brief moments that he has experienced and witnessed during his excursions. He hopes these stories connect with the viewer, sparking a fond memory, a sense of familiarity or a bit of humor. Each painting is documented with its location, date, time of day, weather conditions, and brief observations about the day. Many have referred to this documentation as the painting’s birth certificate.
Email: mshawncornellstudio@gmail.com
Website: mshawncornellstudio.com

Capturing Dramatic Light in Landscapes with Farley Lewis: 11/13/2026 - 11/14/2026
2026-11-13 09:00 - 2026-11-14 16:00 | The Galleries at Heartland Art Club, 101A Argonne, Kirkwood, MO, 63122, United States
This workshop presents keys to creating drama in plein air or studio landscapes. Learn to see and capture the magic of dramatic light through the use of values and color temperature. Whether you are new to painting, or you’ve been painting for years, this workshop has something for everyone. For acrylic and oil painters, each day begins with a teaching and demonstration, then the participants work on their own painting with plenty of one-on-one instruction.
Heartland Art Club Members: Enter the member discount code to get 10% off at checkout.
Forgot the discount code? Check your email first—we send members a quarterly email reminder with the member discount code. If you still can’t find it, please email us (art@heartlandartclub.org) with your name, email address, and phone number—we’ll verify your membership status and send you the code.
Not a member? Sign up here
Read the Workshop & Class Information & Policies
2 Day Workshop
When: November 13 through November 14, 2026, 9 AM to 4 PM
Limited to 18 participants.
​Location:
The Galleries at Heartland Art Club
101A West Argonne
Kirkwood, Missouri 63122
About Farley LewisFarley Lewis brings a fun and creative approach to painting landscapes. Having begun a career in art 40 years ago, he comes with a wealth of experience and a touch of childlike wonder as he unpacks the principles of landscape painting. His simple, relaxed approach to teaching is informative, refreshing and easy to remember. Farley has a BFA in Fine Art from Missouri State University, and has taught art in schools, businesses, plein air events and workshops throughout the country. He has won top awards in regional and national-level painting events and art organizations. He lives with his wife Kelly in Springfield, Missouri.
Email: farleylewis@gmail.com
Website: http://www.farleylewis.com
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