Art is a passion for Barb Tellatin

Barb Tellatin can tell a tint.

Tellatin can tell a tale, too.

She spent early life in a jail, she tells.

She lived there temporarily after an electrical fire damaged her family’s home in Savannah, Mo.

"I was a baby. My uncle was a sheriff," Tellatin explained.

Now she’s practically living at the Fremont Area Art Association.

The retired Fremont Public Schools art teacher recently took over the presidency of FAAA.

Years ago, fellow Fremont artist, the late Jean Welstead, brought in a reluctant Tellatin.

"She’s the reason I got involved - she dragged me to the art association," Tellatin said.

But since that time, she has been in the picture for decades.

"I was on the board in 1983," she said.

A repeat term doesn’t offend her. She has served several.

"She digs right in - willing to do everything and anything," said Pamela King, FAAA executive director.

"My energies are right here. A lot of work needs to be done - that’s my mission - forging on," Tellatin said.

"With her background as a teacher and an artist herself - she’s amazing," King added.

Art captured Tellatin’s imagination early.

She attended Northwest Missouri State University - where she met her husband, Steve.

The couple moved to Fremont.

"We got married before either of us graduated. We completed (bachelor’s degrees) at Midland," Tellatin said.

Tellatin taught at Fremont Junior High and then Fremont Middle School from 1973-2003.

"I enjoyed every moment," Tellatin said of her career. "Art 1 was my passion. I wrote, developed and modified the curriculum. It’s a survey class; touches on everything you can possibly squeeze in. I had some kids every day all year - imagine what we accomplished."

And excel they did.

"There are a lot of former students whose source of employment is art. They took your class, learned and went on," she said.

She later earned a master’s degree in secondary education with an emphasis in stained glass.

"My other passion," Tellatin added.

Her send-off from the public schools came at the time of another one.

"I retired and my husband got sent to Iraq," she said.

Steve, then deputy chief of police and lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves, was commander for the 809th Battalion.

Artistic endeavors became not only a career, but an escape for her during his absence.

She also oversaw a major remodel to her home.

"I tore the walls out," Tellatin said.

She served as a readiness leader for the families of the

80 soldiers in the unit, arranging monthly meetings and putting out a newsletter.

These days, Tellatin is devoting time to computer graphics, but she still has a connection to students, not always face to face.

"We (FAAA) support schools during youth art month in March," she said. "We have offered a scholarship to a graduating senior since 1992."

She recently set up a Facebook account for the association.

"I post receptions, classes - once you become a fan, it will shoot it out to you," she said.

In June, FAAA members will host the state association convention.

"We want the facility in tiptop shape," she said.

There is concrete evidence of progress.

Current projects include installing a security and fire system as well as sealing basement walls.

"(There is) a real push to hold classes down there," Tellatin said.

Concrete sculpture and pottery are in the mix.

"The art association is nonprofit," she said. "We are here to serve the community. Wonderful shows come to this gallery and we never charge to walk in the door."

And this year, the association’s 50th anniversary, she’s hoping for a captive audience.