Our Emerging Artists

“I have been associated with Threshold to Hope for 7 years.  My girlfriend started doing art with Threshold 7 years ago and I would volunteer to help with setup and tear down, cleaning and helping at art fairs.  I didn’t start doing art until I retired in March of 2022.  I really never did any art until then and found, to my surprise, that I actually had some artistic ability.  

I enjoy doing art and volunteering at Threshold and love the values of Threshold to Hope.  I’ve made a lot of wonderful friends here and hope to meet many more people through art.”

John is an artist, volunteer and board member of Threshold to Hope.

"When I first came to Threshold to Hope I knew nothing about art.  But something brought me back every week.  Fresh coffee, friendship, and fabulous painting! YES! But there was more! That couple of hours I spent at art class took my mind off of the Daily Stress of Life! I was healing my mind and body through art.

Now I know why I came back to art on a regular basis. Healing through the power of Art !!  Thank you Threshold to hope for showing me the way!"

Brenda is an artist and volunteer at 

Threshold to Hope freely shares her techniques with others.

“I have always considered myself a creative person.  However, I lost my muse for a while.  I saw Threshold to Hope at the Sweet Corn Festival and knew that was a place for me.  It helped me find my muse again.  Now I enjoy doing art again.  I gained many skills in TTH but sometimes I like to add multi-media for an extra twist.  I consider myself an “eclectic artist” as I like to be introduced to many different styles or mediums of art.  Not only Nora, but my whole class, has taught me about art through exposure.”

“Seven years ago, my counselor told me about Threshold to Hope and that they offer Hope and Healing through the Power of Art.  Nora and Dave welcomed me with a smile and open arms.  The very first day, Nora was teaching a class.  I remember saying that I don’t even know how to hold a paint brush.  Nora gave step by step instructions and I cried when I saw my finished painting as I had been told I would never be able to do art.

I tend to express my pain (both physical and emotional) in my paintings. It is very therapeutic. At Threshold to Hope we have been a family, helping each other through the trials of life.

Now, I am proud to be on the TTH board and be the lead instructor for the Saturday Child/Adult Program.

Through the power of art, life has given me much growth and healing.”

Mare is an artist, volunteer and Board Member of

Threshold to Hope.  She is directing the Children’s Program on Saturdays.

“When I first started at Threshold to hope, I was so insecure and afraid to try anything.  But Nora

worked with me and I attended a couple of classes.  Over the past 3-4 years I expanded into painting on canvases.  However, I found that I love painting tiny things.  I have painted on an M&M, and pennies.  Threshold is a place I can go to relax and get away from home and have fun with my Art family!  I thank GOD For Dave & Nora Zaring and what they do for everyone.”

Connie is an artist, volunteer and Board Member of Threshold to Hope.

“I started creating art on my own in 2014. But I started coming to Threshold to Hope in 2021, when they were located in the Creativity Center. Nora taught us how to do acrylic pouring. I was hooked! But I was not satisfied with just doing pours on canvas. I embellished them by painting over them to highlight what I saw in the pours. I even removed the canvases from the frames, cut them in pieces, and created 3d sculptures of flowers or created collages.

Now I am painting Rural Midwest Landscapes.

I first met Nora when I volunteered with her art classes when she worked at the Home Sweet Ministries.

I enjoy learning to create with different supplies, and I especially enjoy the fellowship with other artists. I love to paint with a folksy style.”

Lisa is a volunteer and artist at Threshold to Hope.

She has taught several classes.

“Art has been a blessing through the various stages of my life over the past 7 years.

Through the joy of painting with Threshold, my anxiety and depression continue to remain at bay.  Just like music, art has definitely become one of my go-to coping skills.

Through this time developing my artistic skills, I have found healing and a truly nurturing family-type dynamic and support system.  I eagerly look forward to continuing to broaden my skills and learn new techniques that allow me to create and bring creativity into the world even if it is in small ways.”  

Charlotte is an artist and volunteer at

Threshold to Hope. 

"I found out about Threshold to Hope through a friend who was an attending artist.  I like that I am encouraged to try different styles and techniques in my paintings and art forms.  I have learned that I am able to do what I want even with having essential tremors.  It won't stop me.  I am learning to work with the tremors I have in my hands and not against them.  Doing art at Threshold to Hope has given me confidence to do other things in my life.”

“My daughter told me about Threshold to Hope and I immediately started attending classes.  I was absolutely thrilled to attempt to “duplicate” paints that Nora taught us.

As 7 years have passed, I have, and am learning to “just create”.  I have been blessed enough to actually sell some of my creations. 

I’m grateful to Threshold to Hope for allowing me and encouraging me to be Creatively Unique.”

Althea is an artist, volunteer and board member of Threshold to Hope.