Honors the late Kathy Hankel, painter of the first public piano
The newly-painted public piano was unveiled on Friday, June 2, at the annual Party in the Alley. More than 100 people attended this special event hosted by the Tower View Team (TVT) of Jefferson Matters: Main Street.
Kay Magill of Jefferson, a member of the TVT, volunteered to paint the piano this year and decided to call it “Tuned In”. Magill is a retired photographer from Pocahontas and moved here with her husband Tim several years ago. After hearing more about the first painted piano that Kathy Hankel created, Magill felt a kinship to this fellow woman photographer and decided to paint the piano in Kathy’s honor.
Magill used feather textures in her painting, light airy colors, pennies from heaven and small glass tiles to make this piano extra special. She wrote several sayings on the piano along with the dedication to Kathy Hankel.
Hankel’s family was on hand for the unveiling of the piano on Friday night and also met Magill for the first time. It was an emotional occasion for them to understand how their mother was so loved by our community. They appreciated this dedicated piano and lingered to hear it played.
Local musicians Chad Schmertmann and Becky Greiner each played the piano on Friday evening. The piano was donated by Central Christian Church.
The “Tuned In” piano was moved to the Bell Tower Plaza where it will remain throughout the summer for visitors and residents to enjoy. It is covered at night by the Bell Tower staff and uncovered each day at 10 am.
