In Memory of Marsha Heidbrink

 It is a great loss to South Central Kentucky that we have lost a wonderful artist and faithful supporter of the arts, Marsha Heidbrink.  Her efforts have had a positive impact on so many artists and art lovers in our area.

   Marsha Heidbrink was Owner & Director of Memphis Marsha’s Art Gallery & Classes.  She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts & Master of Arts in Education degree from Western Kentucky University and a Bachelor of Science degree at Auburn University.

   Marsha shared her talents working with the Antenna Theatre in Detroit, Oakbrook Elementary, as Gallery Director at the Ivan Wilson Fine Arts Center at Western Kentucky University and Gallery Director for The Capitol Arts Center in Bowling Green.  She was born in Memphis, Tennessee which no doubt was the reasoning for the name of her Gallery, Memphis Marsha’s that she opened in 2002.  Then in February 2008 she gave Bowling Green’s independent galleries, nonprofit galleries and studio centers their chance to collaborate and give South Central Kentucky citizens a chance to experience a broader spectrum of the arts with the first Bowling Green Gallery Hop.  The event included drawing, painting, printmaking, collage, photography, digital photography and mixed media pieces, sculpture, home furnishings, clothing and accessories, stationary and more.  The event continues today, featuring four Hops annually.

   Her works have been shown at Kentucky Repertory Theatre, B.G. Library, and the Capitol Arts Center and at U.S. Bank in  as part of their public collection. Also she has shown at First National Bank in Louisville, the Tennessee Valley Authority in Springfield, TN; WKU; U of L; and galleries like Acklen Gallery in Nashville, B. Deemer’s in Louisville and the Yellow House Gallery, Fort Worth, TX.   Her juried group exhibitions, too numerous to list include several Women In the Art exhibitions, and others within the state such as at Frankfort, Owensboro, Louisville, Lexington as well as out of state in Maine, Indiana, Michigan, Arkansas and Tennessee. Memphis Marsha’s twice received the Best Use of Theme award for her Bowling Green International Festival Gallery Walk exhibits.

   Good friend and co collaborator on many fine art endeavors, Delaire Rowe had this to say:  “Marsha Heidbrink was a talented, intelligent and creative individual.  Her contributions to the art community in Bowling Green and South Central Kentucky have been many, from exhibition opportunities, to travel and art education.  She not only participated but was a long time supporter of arts and culture for all.  She has made her mark in our minds and hearts through her own artistic vision and as an advocate for the arts.  Thank you Marsha and thank you to her family for sharing her with us.”   

   Mark Whitley said, “When I was just thinking about starting out as a professional artist, Marsha was quickly identified as a pillar of the Bowling Green art community.  Although I only entered that pink studio building a few times, it was always a sign to me that visual arts were and continue to be alive in this area.  There is no doubt that Marsha’s enthusiasm and persistence was greatly responsible for the enhanced awareness of the arts we see today.” 

   Lynn Robertson added, “I, and Bowling Green artists in general, owe Marsha Heidbrink great gratitude.  She has been instrumental in bringing the visual arts visibility in this town. She brought a variety of art and artists to the Capitol Arts.  She started the World’s Greatest Studio Tour which is now in its 16th year. She partnered to open the Lot 916 gallery on the square.  She opened Memphis Marsha’s Gallery on 12th Street.  She started the Bowling Green Gallery Hop, now in its 3rd year.  She has given the visual artists venues to show their work.  And all this she did with such good nature, always doing the hard work of ‘getting our stuff out there’.   We visual artists are grateful.  I will miss her.”  

  Artist Misha Ambrosia reminesed,  “Just days after my husband and I moved here from New Orleans, we drove to Fountain Square Park for sight-seeing and dinner. I felt overwhelmed, shy, intimidated and lost at this new city in my life. How would my art and I fit into this community?  Then we drove passed by that eye-catching, pink-mauvish building with sap green shutters and banana plants (in Kentucky???) with the most beautiful words I needed to see, “Memphis Marsha’s Art Gallery and Classes”. A big smile fell on my face, and butterflies flew in my stomach. “I am safely home” I thought!   Marsha Heidbrink is truly “Iconic Bowling Green”. She was as colorful as her gallery, as eye-catching in her art, and as resilient as those banana plants.  I truly thank her for my first Bowling Green butterfly-in-my-stomach feeling, and the Matriarch of the” World’s Greatest Studio Tour” and the “Bowling Green Gallery Hop”. Marsha and her art will truly be missed!!!!” 

   In November of 1996, I interviewed Marsha, one of the Amplifier’s earliest supporters as my featured artist in the Amplifier.  She shared this feeling about her art:  “I couldn’t expect that the viewer would bring the same interpretation as I would, but it would be wonderful to me if they made any personal connection with it. That would mean that they did take the time to make this thing on the wall a part of their life, it only for a short time. What more could I ask for?”

   Marsha Heidbrink will be one of four artists featured in the exhibit “Untraditional Kentucky.” A reception will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. July 1 at the Capitol Arts Center. Sponsored by the World’s Greatest Studio Tour, the exhibit will be displayed through July 26 in the Capitol’s Houchens Gallery, which is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.  Although he’s not yet sure what will happen with Memphis Marsha’s, Bob Heidbrink is prepared for the “Untraditional Kentucky” exhibit and told the Daily News,  “I’ve got all her work ready, Marsha would want to continue on with that and she had already completed the artwork”.

   Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 2 at J.C. Kirby & Son Funeral Home, Lovers Lane chapel. Cremation will be chosen.

  You will live on in our hearts and through your works.  We will miss you so much Marsha!

About the author: Ronnie Jaggers is a seasoned sculptor, fine artist and master crafter. Her work can be seen on ChiseledFeaturesStudio.webs.com. She reminds other artists “Trust the beauty of your art, for if you see the beauty, others will too.” To be considered for the featured artist call Ronnie at 791-3505 or email ChiseledFeaturesStudio@yahoo.com