PERRYSBURG — Kathryn Housepian’s exhibit title, “Paying Art Forward” defines her.
She is an artist, author, illustrator, and retired Perrysburg High School teacher. She has spent her
lifetime using her multi-faceted creative skills to impact the quality of life for those around her. A
notable way she pays art forward is to leave hand painted rocks around Perrysburg with hopes it will
brighten the day of the person who finds it.
During her Perrysburg teaching career, Housepian pioneered “The Cellar” program at the high school which
incorporated art, writing, video and music into technology to share with the community. The program won
numerous awards and grants both locally and nationally.
She was named a Martha Holden Jennings Master Teacher, as well as a Technology and Learning Educator of
the Year.
She has illustrated four children’s books about Hoot the Owl, and wrote two in the collection.
Additionally she has written three books for adults. All can be found on Amazon or by contacting the
artist directly. There is a painting in the exhibit titled Into the Clouds which is an original
illustration from the book, Hoot the Owl & His Forest Friends.
Housepian is a mixed media artist working primarily in encaustic, ink and clay. Viewers will see
reoccurring symbols in her work such as stars as well as charming, whimsical paintings with girls in
them.
When asked to explain the symbolism, she said, ” My girl drawings represent me and other women like me.
‘She Reaches the Moon,’ ‘She Throws Stars,’ ‘Star Gazers’ — They are all represent my life. When I
paint, I reach the moon. When I leave painted rocks for people I do not know, I throw stars. When my dog
and I walk at the park, we are star gazers, enjoying the world around us, excited with the wind and the
sky and squirrels.”
This exhibit series is supported by the City of Perrysburg and curated by main ART-ery. For purchase
information, contact Housepian at [email protected]