Kimiko Petersen was an amazing artist whose versatile works were an expression of her love for life and appreciation of natural beauty.
Petersen, who passed away in February, was born in Taiwan and raised in Japan. She moved to the Battle Creek area with her late husband, Sherman, a former Kellogg Company accountant, more than four decades ago. After working several years as a cosmetologist, she opened up her own salon. Then, in her mid-40s, she made her first serious paint stroke which ultimately led to her becoming an award-winning, prominent female artist.
Coming from an artistic family, Petersen once said she loved art but showed no signs of carrying the artistic gene. With encouragement from her father and an art class at KCC, her talent emerged.
Today, Petersen’s work is part of many private and corporate collections in the U.S. and abroad. Highlights of her career include winning the “Best of Show” award in the 2003 Michigan Artists Competition at the Art Center of Battle Creek. In 2004 she received the “Best Watercolor” award in a competition hosted by the First Congregational Church of Battle Creek. In 2008, 2009 and 2010, Petersen’s paintings were accepted into the prestigious International Society of Experimental Artists (ISEA) exhibitions. This three-year ISEA run earned Petersen prestigious title membership in the group.
In 2009 and in 2022 her diverse collection of collages, mixed media and watercolor paintings were on exhibit in the Devries Gallery in KCC’s Davidson Visual and Performing Arts Center. Three of her pieces are now part of the College’s permanent art collection.
In 2007, Kimiko and Sherman worked with the KCC Foundation to establish the Kimiko Petersen Fine Art Awards. Due to their generosity, cash prizes are awarded annually to KCC art students as the culmination of the College’s juried Student Art Exhibition held each spring. In 2023, Kimiko donated art supplies to the Art Department and became a legacy donor.
According to Petersen, what made her successful as an artist was that she never allowed herself to be complacent. She constantly studied, painted daily, took classes and attended workshops.
Petersen’s hidden talent and purpose will forever be admired and appreciated by KCC and the countless students who have and will benefit from her benevolence.
Pictured above, from left to right, are KCC Graphic Design Professor Penny Rose, KCC Photography and Multimedia Professor Ryan Flathau, Kimiko Petersen, retired KCC Art Professor Pete Williams and current KCC Art Professor Heather Stratton.
This article first appeared in the March 2024 edition of BruIN magazine. To read the issue online, please visit kellogg.edu/bruinmagazine