TOWAMENCIN-  The aspiring artists of North Penn High School know art teacher Mrs. Kolleen Keefer, but many of us are not familiar with the scope of this talented artist and knowledgeable teacher.

Mrs. Keefer started her art career when she was born into a creative environment. “When you’re born into a family of artists, it’s a natural occurrence,” she says, “but I think children are born innately creative.”

She explains how wonderful it was, but also how she took it for granted; she thought everyone’s family was like that. “I had all these assumptions; it was a real awakening for me.”

Keefer’s early plans didn’t involve teaching. She attended Tyler School of Art, and during her second year she had a reality check: “I didn’t want to do the starving artist,” she says.

Keefer was a singer also, and she performed at weddings and funerals before she got married and had children. She earned her certification, interviewed at three schools, and found herself at Penndale for five years before coming  to North Penn High School. Drawing and painting are Keefer’s strengths, and she tells how teaching makes her a better artist. She talks about how it forced her to think about how to make things happen.

“I come to work every day doing what I love; I just can’t think of any better way to spend my time,” says Keefer. She values the joy of working with students and seeing their progress.

Keefer remembers one particular struggling student who was also absent from school a lot. This student had no plans after graduation, but Keefer helped her work on her portfolio and apply to Tyler School of Art. The student was accepted into the college, and after she graduated her mother sent Keefer a bouquet of flowers, thanking her. “It was just very gratifying,” says Keefer.

When asked questions regarding her favorite thing about art, Keefer had one simple reply: “art is magic!” “A person is able to create something and share their vision with other people,” she said. “It’s working with allusions, much like a magician.”

But Keefer’s imagination doesn’t stop with just art. She has a bucket list, and she hopes to swim with dolphins one day. On the topic of life after teaching, Keefer had a simple, yet enthusiastic answer: “I want to paint!”

Mrs. Keefer’s experiences show her dedication to art and her above and beyond dedication to teaching and our school. Here’s a photo of a portrait done by Mrs. Keefer of her daughter Katherine.