IKEducation to exhibit students’ paintings thanks to Schmidt Foundation grant

A group of German exchange students hold their finished paintings from “Paint Like Ike.”

Founder of Eagle Communications was World War II vet

ABILENE — A grant from the Robert E. and Patricia Schmidt Foundation, based in Hays, has made it possible for almost 500 K-12 students to “Paint Like Ike,” as part of the Eisenhower Foundation’s
IKEducation program.

Over the past year, K-12 students from throughout Kansas and exchange students from Germany have participated in this interactive program, highlighting a favorite pastime of Dwight D. Eisenhower. Students learn about Ike’s art legacy — his protection of cultural pieces from Nazi looters during World War II and his use of painting as a means to balance his life’s stresses. Students then complete one of four paintings left unfinished by Ike when he passed away.

Around 300 student paintings from Abilene Eisenhower Elementary, Alma Elementary and Maple Hill Elementary School will be on exhibit in the lobby of the Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene through April 5.

This contribution is especially meaningful as it comes from the foundation of World War II veteran, Robert Schmidt, founder of Eagle Communications. Mr. Schmidt served on the Eisenhower Foundation’s Regional Council for the Dwight D. Eisenhower: A Legacy of Leadership Campaign and made this lasting contribution in honor of his late wife, Patricia, and her love of art just before his own passing last year.

IKEducation programs are free for school groups visiting the Eisenhower Presidential Campus. To book an IKEducation field trip, visit www.EisenhowerFoundation.net. Limited funding is available to offset field trip expenses. “Paint Like Ike” and other programs are also available on the Eisenhower Foundation’s website for teachers to implement in classrooms across the country. For more information about IKEducation and the Eisenhower Foundation’s K-12 school initiative, please contact the Director of IKEducation, Mitzi Bankes Gose at [email protected].

About the Eisenhower Foundation

The mission of the non-profit, public Eisenhower Foundation is to honor and champion the relevance today of the life and leadership of Dwight D. Eisenhower through compelling programs and events that celebrate his legacy.

Donations to the Eisenhower Foundation provide funding to support the exhibits, educational programs, and events at the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum, and Boyhood Home in Abilene, Kansas.