D

The Book Shelf, the fund-raising arm of the Literacy Council in Tullahoma, has been gifted with a beautiful painting by local artist Wanda Gobbell, and it is entitled “ Winter Wonderland”. The image will be used on cards which can be used as Christmas cards and will be available at The Book Shelf. 

This continues a tradition of The Book Shelf, having cards done by local artists such as Ann Smotherman and Yvonne Long. It is interesting that the title of this new card “Winter Wonderland” is the same as the theme for the Christmas parade being sponsored by the Tullahoma Chamber of Commerce.

When asked what inspired Mrs. Gobbell to be an artist, she shared her story saying “My art career started by being born into a creative family with a Mother who taught ceramics and a Father who worked with flowers. As a teenager my passion for dance put me on stage and many dance floors. After I married, we moved to Tullahoma, and I painted with a group of ladies and we developed the Tullahoma Fine Arts Center 55 years ago. The Tennessee Arts Commission even sent traveling teachers to the center. My career as a landscape designer took my life to being involved with a company in Franklin. And when Murfreesboro went on a building boom, the adventure of life became so much fun. Today my involvement with several artist groups and showing my work in different places keeps me happy and busy. My work is shown locally at the Copper Daisy Gallery located in the Downtown Avenues building.”

Mrs. Gobbell expressed her appreciation for being asked by the Literacy Council to provide one of her paintings for this year’s card. She said “It is a great honor to be appreciated, and this is a way I can give back to the area that I love!”

The cards can be found at The Book Shelf located at 114 SW Atlantic St. in Tullahoma. Whenever you view any of Mrs. Gobbell’s work, you will feel the joy that Mrs. Gobbell expressed about art.