Vonnie Diehl was sitting there in Japke’s carpet store, behind a desk in the middle of the showroom. She was deep in drafting on her iPad with her pencil. Taking her time to finish, she looked up and said hello.

I asked her what she is doing. Keep in mind, she had dancing eyes of a twenty-year-old, but she was on paper more stately. Retired age, but definitely not tired-looking. She went on to explain that she was an artist of many forms, but she was busy working on her repetitive art, which her daughter posts for sale on the internet, including fabrics, wallpaper, and the like.

I was enthralled. First off, you rarely hear a talented person declare themselves an Artist. This was a woman after my own heart. I wasn’t even in town for one day at my new home, the Batcher Block Opera House, and I already knew I had to include her in my future.

It was a Monday in February, almost three years ago. Twenty below outside, and I was looking for commercial vinyl for the new Social Club I was planning to put into the Opera House main floor lobby. I spent the next hour swiping through her screen and sharing back and forth how I would love to have her sit in our window, in the lobby, and meet our guests while she painted. I wanted a REAL ARTIST to greet our guests.

She didn’t fog over like so many people do when you share a dream, long before it’s reality. She smiled and even nodded. She said she would write a note for the owner about my vinyl and asked me to keep her posted on all my doings. I promised her I would.

I did.

She came to see me in August 2023 when we first opened Frosty’s Spirits & Social Club. We found a way for her to sit in our lobby on Thursdays. She brought in her palette of watercolors, took out her sketchbook, and started to paint.

Over time, our guests began to join her, and she welcomed them one by one. Nurtured them like a child. Some only wanted to watch, but they slowly began to grab her extra brushes and take a piece of her paper. She gently started to share how to get started in art.

Over time, she has found new, dear friends, and with time, these new friends have become artists. Not quite ready to declare themselves one. They join her most Thursdays, bringing their own supplies, and for two hours, they visit, ask questions, and there is Vonnie, the Artist, sharing her years of art secrets and how-tos that she has gathered over time. Nurturing their blends and strokes, and by evening, each new friend passes their final painting around the table and listens with awe to the budding artist.

With Vonnie by their sides, she will teach them that in art, the art is to share it with others. That is the Art of Art.

Vonnie became an Ambassador Member on a cold winter Thursday over a year ago. She walked in and declared, “I want to be an Ambassador”. She shared that this little place has been like a home away from home for her. She looks forward to coming every week and loves that we are here for her. She has met more people, laughed harder than she has in years, and all along, she has been able to produce her art. She is building a dream of hosting her art in a shop somewhere in town.

I was overjoyed. There is no better example of an Ambassador than an artist. Shining a light on Vonnie almost two years ago, when she walked through our door, has given us a whistle in our step. We discuss her with those who want to learn something new all week.

Vonnie did find a space to sell her art on the 4th. I will keep you posted when she opens. Being here at Frosty’s Spirits & Social Club in your National Historic Theater is where dreams really do come true.

The art of art is the act of inspiring others. Vonnie Diehl is an Artist. She is our Ambassador. She is here in the lobby every Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 pm. Bring your heart, and Vonnie will inspire you to declare the Artist in you!

The Art of Art

ISSUE ONE