In time, painting emerged as an activity that brought her peace. And it turns out she was quite good at it. Good enough, anyway, that people became interested in buying her work.

“After my husband died, I took up art,” said Laufersweiler, of Fort Dodge. “I use it as grief therapy. And friends, lots of friends.”

One of those friends is Mary Jo Hinds, of Fort Dodge, whom Laufersweiler credits for getting her involved in art.

On Thursday, Laufersweiler was painting an ostrich while she sat next to Hinds.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Julie Heidenreich, director of AgnusGene Art Studio, poses in the showroom at 7 N. 18th St. The new studio will have a soft opening on Sept. 1.

The two were sitting in a room at AgnusGene Art Studio, 7 N. 18th St., a new studio that is in the process of opening.

“I am redoing what I did last week on a larger scale,” Laufersweiler said.

Laufersweiler said she chose the ostrich because she finds the animals humorous.

“I did the ostrich because it’s funny,” she said. “It makes me laugh. I love animals.”

Laufersweiler paints animals and flowers among other things. She often uses charcoal or pencil.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Mary Jo Hinds, of Fort Dodge, works on a painting for her grandson, Alex Hergenreter, 17, a student at Gilbert High School.

No matter the medium, the art gives Laufersweiler something to focus on.

“Art is supposed to be really good grief therapy,” she said. “It fills the void of the long hours. I encourage anyone who has lost someone to try it. It is rewarding.”

While Laufersweiler was busy touching up her ostrich, Hinds was using her brush strokes to create a tribute piece to her grandson, Alex Hergenreter, 17, a senior at Gilbert High School.

“This one is for my grandson, so it makes it more fun to do,” Hinds said. “This is the fourth one I’ve done for my grandkids.”

Hinds believes she derived some of her talent from her father.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Anna Jackowell, of Fort Dodge, is all smiles as she prepapres to paint at AgnusGene Art Studio.

“My dad was an artist. He painted big neon signs,” Hinds said. “Now that my kids are grown, I’ve had more time. Once I started, it was going to be a hobby. Now there’s paintings all over the house. And there’s some down here.”

Julie Heidenreich is the director for the new art studio. She and many of the local artists met at Citizens Central, where every Monday they would gather for art activities.

“I’ve been going there for six years,” Heidenreich said. “And now with COVID we haven’t been able to go. We don’t know when it will be open again and we have really been missing each other and our creating time. I’ve just felt like this was something missing in our community, where people could come in and find quality artwork, craftsmanship to purchase in our community. it was a more of a need of our artists community coming back together again and finding that joy in creating and being like-minded.”

The name AgnusGene was inspired by Heidenreich’s aunt and uncle.

“It comes from a past aunt and uncle of mine that really inspired me to show love and kindness,” she said. “I’ve always been in the creative field. I started out as a florist back in my 20s and eight years ago I started painting. I found it to be another great way of expression and finding peace and joy.”

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Mary Jo Hind’s painting of her grandson, Alex Hergenreter, 17, takes shape at AgnusGene Art Studio.

Every Thursday the group gathers at AgnusGene and paints.

“It’s just now coming together,” Heidenreich said in the showroom that’s starting to fill up with paintings.

The glass on the storefront already bears the name AgnusGene Art Studio.

Lee Husske, of Fort Dodge, was among the local artists gathered.

He’s been painting for 15 years.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Carol Laufersweiler said she likes to paint things that make her smile. Ostriches make her laugh and inspired this piece.

“I’ve painted landscapes, flowers, animals,” Husske said. “It was an outlet for me during a stressful time. It’s such a relaxing hobby.”

A few years ago, then Gov. Terry Branstad purchased a wildlife painting by Husske.

But Husske said it’s more than just about the painting.

“The camaraderie is fantastic,” he said. “We come from different faiths. We have a lot of stressless fun.”

Anna Jackowell is another local artist.

“I’ve always had a desire to paint, but never did it,” she said. “Two years ago I went to Citizens Central. I had so much fun. I just love it.”

Her most recent painting? A black Lab.

“Usually I paint big flowers,” she said. “I just painted a dog. But I love flowers.”

She, too, likes being around others with a shared interest.

“We have an amazing group,” she said.

The paintings from local artists come in a variety of sizes and include watercolor, oil, pastel and colored pencil.

The art studio is set to have a soft opening on Sept. 1. It will host a grand opening on Sept. 10.

The hours will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and Friday. Thursdays will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The studio will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.

“Hopefully after the first of the year we will look at doing some workshops and painting classes,” Heidenreich said.

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