On June 9, 2021, the class of 1971 marks its 50th year since graduates walked across the stage of WKS to receive their high school diploma. I asked Linda what she would say to the graduating class of 2021. Without hesitating she said: “Follow your heart: do not give up, ask questions, be confident in what your mind is telling you, make use of your network of family, friends, and teachers. College may not be the answer for everyone. Just because you do not have a college degree does not mean you will not be successful in your life. I knew I could not hack four years of college. I did not want to be an art teacher and I was not an illustrator. I just wanted a career in art, creating.” These comments are based on Linda’s personal experience in finding the path to reach her goal of working in the field of commercial art. She followed her advice, and it continues to serve her well.
As I listened to Linda tell her story so many questions popped into my mind: How did she know what she wanted? Who helped her figure it out? What kind of continuing education was available to her and how did she find it? What employment did she find after completing her training? Did she reach her goal of being “in art”? Linda’s story was captivating and it was clear that her desire to create was the driving force. She never gave up, kept looking and investigating, kept her goal to be “in art” as her focal point.
Her story begins as a child growing up in Silver Bay on Hays Circle in the 60s and 70s. She describes her early years as a time of freedom to learn. “We were lucky to grow up the way we did. We were free to explore, discover, play with neighbors, enjoy community support, and feel like we belonged. I liked music and art from an early age and enjoyed taking part in both while attending WKS.” During her junior year, she began looking for guidance to answer the “where” question; “Where do I go to learn the skills needed to be able to have a career ‘in art’ and be part of a creative process? I loved making posters for movies and other events at school. I knew there must be people that made art for advertising.”
As the year progressed Linda experienced frustration and a nagging awareness that those she was consulting with about her next educational steps were not “getting her.” She did not want to be a teacher or illustrator and a four-year degree was something she knew she could not do. She wanted to be creating art, collaborating, investigating, problem-solving, and producing visual images. Her big question was: “Where do I find this training?” Her junior year ended with no answers or knowledge of what her educational choices were for pursuing the skills needed to work in the field of commercial art.
The summer before her senior year Linda spent time with her aunt Arlene's family in Owatonna, Mn., something she did every summer. The advice Linda was looking for began to slowly come her way through ongoing chats with her aunt about how and where to find the answers. “My aunt understood what I was saying when I told her I wanted to ‘work in art’.”
Her aunt worked at Wenger Corporation in Owatonna. Wenger Corporation, a large corporation serving a wide and diverse clientele by designing and staging their products. Linda’s aunt engaged her boss in a conversation about the educational opportunities Linda might pursue to learn more about a career in commercial art. Her aunt gave Linda several editions of the annual Best Ads of the Year/CA.
Going over and over the prize-winning advertisements, continued talks with her aunt, and time to ponder vocational and technical school training led to her decision. Linda found the vocational track offered a two-year program designed to give students the skills and background they need to enter the workforce in commercial art. This was a light bulb moment; print advertising and visual art are what Linda was after.
Two vocational schools in MN offered training in commercial art in 1971. Knowing her extended family would be nearby and could offer her support when she needed it while going to school, Linda chose to apply to Mankato Area Vocational-Technical Institute. In November, she received notification of an opening in the commercial art program and she accepted the offer at once.
I could hear the satisfaction in Linda’s voice when she said “having learned ‘the trade’ in two years I found what I dreamed of. I have not stopped working in commercial art since completing my education in 1973.”
Linda held a wide variety of employment positions “in art” enjoying the creative experiences working in advertising, marketing, clothing manufacturers, screen printing, design, and freelancing design for over 50 years in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. Her favorite job was working in an ad agency that involved collaboration, problem-solving, and creative thinking with others working on projects. “My most memorable experience was working in screen printing with good friends I still have and enjoy today. I heard a deep satisfaction in her voice.
Now retired, Linda works on her art consisting of cyanotypes (sun printing), fabric dying, slow stitching, and papercrafts. She creates framed wall pieces, pillows, fabric accessories, t-shirts, cards, desk treasures, and paperweights she embellishes with encouraging quotes. As a volunteer with Artistry at the Bloomington Center for the Arts, she helps where needed and takes part in the holiday sale held during December which showcases 50-75 local artists. She also is currently working on establishing an Etsy store.
Linda enjoys life in Bloomington, MN with her husband, Mark, and their cat, Miss Kitty. Spending time with their six children and seven grandchildren is among their favorite activities. They love craft beer, good food, and exploring in their 1965 Dodge Dart convertible. When Covid ends and life begins to return to normal, Linda and Mark plan an adventure along Route 66 and a trip to the North
Shore to enjoy memorable moments from childhood once again. Her favorite memories of home are berry picking, hiking up Baptism River (before it was a state park), swimming and sliding down between the rocks in the Beaver River, snowmobiling, and taking in the views along the shore of the great Lake Superior. Linda and Mark’s summer road trip adventure will end when they turn at the stoplights on highway 61 onto Outer Drive and are welcomed home by Rocky Taconite. Linda’s voice was filled with contentment when she said, “Home, I will be home to be with my Mom, Ruth Koepke, and sister, Gloria Stern, who still live and work in Silver Bay.”
