For 57 years, Omer Knoll has been creating art. From charcoal drawings to bronze sculptures, Knoll has amassed quite a collection, some of which is now on display at the Hays Public Library Schmidt Gallery.

The exhibit will be part of the Hays Arts Council Fall Gallery Walk on Friday, Aug. 23, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Knoll will be on hand that night to discuss individual pieces and his creative process.

Knoll was born in Hays and has lived much of his life in Ellis and Rooks counties. The 84-year-old said the display calls attention to his and the area’s Volga German heritage.

“I want to show the work, and I’m proud of the work,” Knoll said. “If they see this stuff, it lets them know that it didn’t happen by itself. It took a great deal of hard work.”

One of the pieces on display is titled “Johnny.” It was created in 1962, and Knoll said it was his first completed sculpture created the way he wanted.

Omer called the show “a little bit of a love story” because a few of his late wife Mary’s paintings also are on display. One, of Grant Villa, is a collaboration of both Omer and Mary. The couple, who were married for 42 years, met as art students at Fort Hays State University.

Knoll has a few projects that he wants to complete and is hoping to raise the funds needed to finish them.

The exhibit will be on display at the library through late September.

— HPL