Palos Heights resident Mary Beth Zwolfer, a retired interior decorator and grandmother, unveiled two family-inspired paintings titled “Home is Where Everyone is Celebrated” and “Dreams Begin at Home” on June 12 at The Brookfield Shops in Brookfield, Illinois. The works were part of the exhibit’s theme “The Art of Home” and mark her second consecutive year participating in Brookfield’s outdoor public art program, which she entered after her daughter shared a Facebook call for artists in 2025. Zwolfer taught herself to paint on wood using acrylics for the outdoor display.
This story matters because it highlights how local public art programs can empower non-professional artists and foster community engagement, while also demonstrating that creative pursuits can begin at any stage of life. Zwolfer’s journey from a lifelong drawer to a public painter illustrates the accessibility of art-making outside traditional gallery systems and the role of grassroots initiatives in bringing diverse voices into public spaces.