Exploring different art forms<\/p>\n
Living life artfully has many dimensions for Koppenhaver, and she let them all shine in her \u201cThe Art Of\u2026\u201d exhibit, which combines photography, poetry, mixed media art and calligraphy of her writings.<\/p>\n
In her \u201cThe Art of\u2026\u201d exhibit, Koppenhaver views life through several lenses, each filling in the \u201cblank\u201d of the exhibit\u2019s title. Those include \u201cThe Art of Discovery,\u201d \u201cThe Art of Listening\u201d and \u201cThe Art of Baking,\u201d among others.<\/p>\n
In \u201cThe Art of Seeing Beauty in the Ordinary,\u201d Koppenhaver invites viewers to try to figure out \u201cWhat Is This?\u201d from a series of photographs of the same image. Viewed up close, it is nearly impossible to guess what the mottled picture in rust and gray can be. Step back and it is revealed as the rusty wheel rim of an ancient tractor.<\/p>\n
Another interactive element is a painting station where kids can make an ornament from recycled materials.<\/p>\n
For \u201cThe Art of Words,\u201d Koppenhaver shares her poetry. One of her poems, \u201cAn Artist\u2019s Prayer,\u201d is hand-calligraphed by Joanne Young Stephan, her first resident studio artist.<\/p>\n
Oh Lord, if I could only paint like I see, write as I whisper, sing like I listen, run as far and as fast as I think, fly as free as I dream.<\/p>\n
Lord, if I could even do just one of those,<\/p>\n
The whole world could experience my love and be forever enthralled,<\/p>\n
With the beauty of the rainbow softness of the moon beam and warmth of each other\u2019s spark of fire.<\/p>\n
It is for this I work towards perfection.<\/p>\n
Koppenhaver\u2019s exhibit even goes back to her high school days, when she was a student at Springfield High School in Delaware County. There, she was editor in chief of the 1973 yearbook, which will be part of the display.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am still very proud of that incredible labor of love,\u201d says Koppenhaver.<\/p>\n
Beginnings<\/p>\n
After high school, Koppenhaver went to West Chester University, where she met her first husband, Barry Van Aulen from Lancaster.<\/p>\n
She went on to Chatham University in Pittsburgh, where she studied elementary education and communications, and did an internship with Rogers.<\/p>\n
\u201cFred Rogers was the kindest, sweetest man,\u201d Koppenhaver says. \u201cA true educator. It was a wonderful experience.\u201d<\/p>\n
She and Van Aulen married in 1982 and settled in Lancaster. She got her real estate license in preparation for fulfilling her dream of a building that would house her art center. That would eventually become Mulberry Art Studios at 19-21 North Mulberry St., which she opened in 1988.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was the perfect space,\u201d says Koppenhaver. The renovated 22,000-square-foot building was originally built by Wohlsen Construction Co. in 1900 as the Gunzenhauser Bakery.<\/p>\n
While her husband supported her endeavors to create a prototype for art studios all over the country, he didn\u2019t quite share her fervor for the arts. They divorced in 1994, remaining friends, as she pursued her passion on her own.<\/p>\n
\u201cI felt that I had a covenant with God,\u201d Koppenhaver says. \u201cI was driven.\u201d<\/p>\n
She was in her 50s when she married Charlie Gaul, an award-winning photographer and owner of Lancaster Business Supply. Gaul was in his 80s, and despite the 30-year age difference, the two traveled the world, journeying to places like Greece and Turkey.<\/p>\n
The \u201cArt of Traveling\u201d section of Koppenhaver\u2019s exhibit is dedicated to Gaul, who died in 2019 after 10 years of marriage. Keepsakes and photographs from their travels preserve those cherished memories. And his legacy lives on at Mulberry Arts Studios, where the annual \u201cWe Love Our Pets\u201d exhibit honors Gaul and his cherished mixed-breed pup, Milo.<\/p>\n
A year ago, Koppenhaver reconnected with Van Aulen. They have found a joyful companionship in their 70s.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have to say, it is so great to be back with Barry again, the man who introduced me to Lancaster, and Lancaster is the city which has allowed me to live my dream,\u201d says Koppenhaver.<\/p>\n
She makes it clear that her exhibit of \u201cThe Art of\u2026\u201d is not intended to be her swan song. She has no plans to retire quite yet. She is still very hands-on at her gallery, where her cherished Chihuahua-shih tzu mix Valentino is often by her side.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am passionate about what I do,\u201d Koppenhaver says. \u201cAnd while I am still in good health, I want to keep doing what I love.\u201d<\/p>\n