Art and teaching have given Jennie Friedrich a busy life.
Friedrich's first introduction to art was in high school and she hasn't slowed down since. Teachers encouraged her by giving her special assignments, which gave her the added credits she needed for graduation.
She went on to attended East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C. Majoring in music and voice, she hoped to teach music. But in the 1950s there were no teaching spots available, so she used her minor and taught art.
Friedrich, now a retired teacher, worked in public and private schools for 33 years.
"I incorporated art to further the students understanding of the subject that was being taught," she said, of her time spent at Martinez Elementary School.
Murals that she painted remain on the walls of Martinez Elementary.
Friedrich also worked at The Art Factory in Augusta for 10 years and at Fort Discovery in the art gallery four years.
"One day my husband and I were at a restaurant and this woman came up and said, 'You should see our son, Thomas, he has taken his art to greater heights and is working well. All this is because of you,'" Friedrich said.
Wanda Dansereau is a North Augusta artist and a member of the North Augusta Artist Guild.
