Irene Was, 82, of Warren, Ohio has always carried a spirit for art within her bosom. While she was an elementary school teacher, she began taking art lessons in 1975 at Trumbull Art Gallery.

During her first lessons, she stayed up painting into the wee hours of the night, then slept briefly before getting up to teach. Her interest peaked then; because there were no art teachers in the parochial schools, she taught painting in school, she said. Her artistic ability began to shine.

She took lessons at TAG for five years, until her mother grew ill and she had to quit classes. But Mrs. Was vowed she'd some day go back. She eventually returned in 1994. One of her paintings was accepted in a show at the gallery.