Visual artist and husband give back to the arts with generous donation to Kauffman Center

“Susan’s sculptures and the success of Willow Tree have given us a once-in-a-lifetime chance to step up and give back to the arts, which are so important to us,” Dennis shares.

Susan says that she has always viewed herself as an artist. Even as a child she was continually drawing, painting and making things.  “My mom was a theater major in college and she took us to the ballet and the art museum often.  My dad was CEO of an engineering consulting firm, and he had a home workshop where he could fix or make anything. Another passion was playing horns in bands and symphonies.  He’s 80 today, plays in several bands and has been principal clarinetist in the Alton, Illinois symphony for 23 years.” 

An artist with a following

Susan has a Masters in Fine Arts in textiles, which she has taught at the Kansas City Arts Institute.  But because she has always worked in a variety of media she wasn’t daunted by an unusual request from friends David Kiersznowski and Demi Lloyd in 2000. 

“They were launching a giftware business called DEMDACO and asked if I would consider designing some small, three-dimensional sculptures to be produced and marketed to boutique retailers,” Susan recalls.  Although Susan had never sculpted in three dimensions, much less “designed a line” of anything, she took on the project eagerly and Willow Tree was born. 

“I had the idea of creating a very pure artistic form, a figure with no details, not even a face. Any emotion or message would be created through gesture only,” says Susan.  She feels that this accounts for their popularity, as the buyer can project themselves (or their mother, daughter or anyone else) onto the figures.  

Her sculpted figurines comprise DEMDACO’s largest selling line—and you’ve probably seen them in Hallmark Card stores and gift shops around the country.  Willow Tree’s success has enabled the Markers to increase their support of the Kansas City Ballet—a performing art that is dear to Susan’s heart.

‘Sculpture in motion’

 “As a visual artist I have always loved drawing the human figure. I find the ballet and dance to be so inspiring to watch. For me, it’s sculpture in motion and after seeing a ballet I’m excited to go home to draw and sculpt,” Susan shares.  “The integration of the arts has always interested me. One discipline feeds the other.”

Courtney Jones, longtime treasurer of Ballet Board, introduced the Markers to the Kansas City Ballet and Susan and Dennis’ interest and involvement increased along the way.  They purchased season tickets and were invited to meet Jeffrey Bentley, executive director, and William Whitener, artistic director. Says Dennis, “The Ballet was so welcoming and accessible. We soon felt like we were part of a family and that made our participation special.”

An unsolicited gift

So when Dennis and Susan heard about the Kauffman Center and its potential for the Kansas City Ballet, they stepped forward to see what they could do.  “Our involvement in the Ballet whetted our interest in the Kauffman Center.  So I identified David Lady on the Kauffman Center board and dropped in for a visit. After seeing the architectural model and hearing the plans, we offered a $100,000 contribution,” Dennis shared.  “I think he was somewhat taken aback, as nobody had asked us for a gift.”

Then the Markers started spreading the word to their friends, including DEMDACO owners David Kiersznowski and Demi Lloyd.  Impressed by the project, and the Markers’ support, Kiersznowski and Lloyd have become Founding Donors, too.

Dennis and Susan have two grown children, who they hope will benefit some day from the Kauffman Center programming.  They recently created a studio for Susan’s textile and sculpting work in the Crossroads and are thrilled to be an active part of Kansas City’s growing arts scene.