7 Over 70: The Artists

In our January/February issue, we introduce our readers to seven over-70 Missourians who are healthy, happy, and living well. Two of those individuals are artists who agreed to share their work. Enjoy Shelton Ponder's one-man play, Mr. Gantt, and Madelynne Engle's colorful, exciting artwork.


A capitol impressionist ahead of his time

Our artist this week lived from 1860–1925 and was ahead of his time as an impressionist. Shoe manufacturer Lester Shepard Parker's approach to painting is particularly interesting because it reflects a sophisticated understanding of European impressionism, a style still seen as avant-garde in the 1920s. He repeatedly painted Missouri’s new state capitol building in varying light and atmospheric conditions with loose, impressionistic brushstrokes and vibrant colors.


Fabric artist inspired by Missouri River

Lydia Crespo, a St. Charles native, graduated from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2010. Lydia’s specialty is the creation of dyed fabric that is influenced by the natural world, and her shop features comfortable clothing and décor items that showcase her unique fabric designs. Since 2018, Lydia has been showcasing her work at Foundry Art Centre in St. Charles.


A Closer Look

Her face practically fills the frame. You can see every freckle—and the determination in her eyes. She’s Abby, a twenty-two-year-old with Down syndrome who wishes servers wouldn’t offer her a kid’s menu. She’s a homecoming queen working at her old high school and dreaming of going to college and getting married.


The Gentle German Artist

Should you be so lucky as to meet Neil Heimsoth at his studio in Cole Camp or at one of the events hosted there, especially one showcasing the town’s German heritage, you may notice he is always smiling and telling a joke.


April 15, 1889

Thomas Hart Benton is born in Neosho, Missouri. He became one of the most famous artists in America in the 1900s and helped develop the regionalist movement, which exposed lives of average Americans in the Midwest to a larger audience.


March 20, 1811

Birthday of "The Missouri Artist," George Caleb Bingham.