Celebrating Pine Islanders: Karen Hartshorne
Karen Hartshorne said the most important thing to know about her is that she loves to share her talents, like drawing and painting, with children.
“They are the future of everything,” Hartshorne said.
Having just celebrated her eighth anniversary here In July, Hartshorne said she finds that she loves Pine Island even more than she loved Hawaii when she lived there. She stumbled onto Museum of the Islands where she volunteers, shortly after her arrival when she went out one day exploring. She saw locals working out in the yard of MOTI and got out of her car to talk to them, she said, admitting stopping her car to talk to people is something she finds herself doing frequently.
Hartshorne also admits she knew Pine Island was special the moment she got here.
“I saw the bromeliads and the palms and I said I’m home,” Hartshorne said.
When it comes to sharing her love for the island, she said she does it through the classes she offers to the children at no charge.
“I give free classes to the children, using the Pine Island Art Association’s building,” Hartshorne said.
It’s somewhat of a struggle to do this, she confessed, as it is done completely by donation and also month to month. Sometimes a space in which to hold classes is simply unavailable. Choosing to see optimism in the situation, on a month where there was no space open to them, she moved the class to the park, she said, until Alecia, from Pine Island Seafood told her if ever she and the children ever needed somewhere to create their artwork, they could always come and paint on the porch of Pine Island Seafood.
“The kids love going over there, too, because she (Alecia) brings crafts and mullet and fish and snacks — just all kinds of stuff,” Hartshorne said.
An out-of-state friend of hers sent Hartshorne a gift of art supplies, she estimates at approximately $500, she said, along with other generous folks who’ve donated art supplies. These donations are currently mostly from out of state friends and she feels fortunate to have them ting the children. There is no age limit for kids joining these classes, but, she emphasizes, their needs to be a parent with them and they do need to possess the ability to focus. If necessary, Hartshorne said, she will remind children that this is an art class and not a playground.
“It’s not a paint party. We have a critique at the end of class and the children announce their artwork and say their name. They hold their work up and they’re able to discuss their work,” Hartshorne said.
Describing Pine Island to someone who has never heard of it, she said she would say it’s just as lush as Hawaii with tropical fruits and tropical plants, with the exception of being exceptionally laid back, with no red lights. She also said she would describe the island as a friendly place where you wave to people and they wave back.
“You see people helping each other and stepping up. When you do ask for help, you get it,” Hartshorne said.
She admits her greatest wish for Pine Island would be to have its own art center for the children.
To reach PAULETTE LEBLANC / pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com, please email