The 125th Anniversary Committee proudly presents "Reflections", an original oil painting by Lynda Kurtz This commemorative oil painting weaves a visual narrative of our rich, historical past and the city's bright, progressive future. It will be available in sizes to fit a standard 18"x24" frame or 24"x36" frame. 1. Mineral water - The City was founded because of the mineral waters. The pagoda represents its vibrant, mineral water history. In this painting, Moyne Wood's father, Judge Wagoner, pumps a cup of health giving water for a young boy at the Willow Park Pagoda. 2. Siloam Mountain - The City has one of the finest park systems in the Midwest, as designed by George Kessler. This park represents that park system and is named after the first spring discovered in this beautiful valley. It represents nature, beauty and religious faith. 3. The Elderly - The City is proud of its many memories, has great respect and caring for the elderly. The City continues its proud tradition of medical facilities, with its state of the art Medical Center. It is very unique in that it has a large convalescent center located under the same roof via a long connecting corridor, much like our underground corridors that connected clinics years ago. The convalescent center can be utilized for long term as well as a fast track rehabilitation center. Retirement living can be enjoyed entirely independent, or assisted, depending on the needs of the retiree. 4. The Elms - An Icon of Excelsior Springs, its history and the city's history are synonymous, since the 1880's. It represents overcoming disaster, with the fires that destroyed both the first and second hotels. It represents history and luxury, with notable guests, such as President Harry Truman, Vice President Richard Nixon, gangster Al Capone, and Boxer Jack Dempsey. 5. Historic Car - Symbol of history and a classy style, much like the City. 6. The Family - Symbolizes the new Excelsior Springs, with new homes, new churches, new restaurants and new businesses. It's a symbol of youth and a growing community. 7. The Fishing River & Bridge - The bridge symbolizes crossing from the old to the new. The river is a symbol of health and life, the forces of nature and floods, and a symbol of the springs first found on the banks of the river. 8. The Museum - The museum, an education center, is a symbol of our past and future. 9. Museum Ceiling - A symbol of architectural beauty, art, technology and craftsmanship. 10. The Gleaners - Two painted reproductions of Francois Millet, 1814-75, can be found in the Museum. It looks casual at first sight with 3 peasant women hard at work. Considered revolutionary, as past artists had always portrayed peasants as comic yokels. Millet painted the common people with dignity, and with a respectful tranquil poise. The Angelus' expresses his appreciation for the peasants simplicity and devotion in the face of nature. Millet's work inspired Van Gogh and other contemporary social realists. 11. Hall of Waters - Is a symbol of the City, its waters, its history, and its future. Water represents life. 12. Water Bar & Fountain - A symbol of the health of our children, early childhood education and great schools. 13. The Daisy - The daisy has long been associated with purity, simplicity, children and cleanliness. The name is old English, a charming contraction of 'days eye', which describes the flowers habit of opening and shutting with the rising and setting of the sun "... as fresh as a daisy" is how one feels after a cool drink of calcium water, a dip in the mineral water pool, or a day at the spa. 14. The Child - Symbolic of trust and good health. From parents as teachers to grade school, middle school, and high school, children enjoy the benefits of great schools and modern facilities. 15. American Flags - Six American flags have been included in this art work in order to celebrate and appreciate our freedom, and those who have given their lives for freedom. It also represents the "All American City" awarded Excelsior Springs in 1976. One of the most favorite flag pictures is the one painted by Fred Tripp, from his room at the McCleary Clinic in the 1940's. Mr. Tripp, from Belooit, Wisconsin, was 71 years of age when he painted the original flag, an oil painting more than six feet in height. Mr. Tripp never in his life had a painting lesson, but he produced a master piece of what he felt in his heart and soul about the Flag of his Country. About the Artist: Lynda Kurtz, BFA, Certified Montessori Teacher and Montessori School Director, has recently retired from teaching in order to once again pick up her full time art career. Her husband, Carl, is a professor at the Kansas City Art Insitute; son, Christopher, is a sculptor in New York; daughter, Erin, is the Director of a Montessori School in Lee's Summit. Thirty-five years ago when Lynda and Carl first sampled the mineral waters and discovered the high quality of the schools, they fell in love with the area and moved to Excelsior Springs to raise their children. Return to top