Kate Kilpatrick-Miller, alongside Karen Jobe Templeton, recently celebrated the opening of their gallery on Helper’s Main Street, aptly named K2 Gallery. Since the recent opening, the pair have already put forth hard work to showcase their unique talents.

Kilpatrick-Miller’s latest project is “The Faces of Helper.” Kilpatrick-Miller first thought of this project when she had dinner with Rich and Becky Columbo. Rich began telling her about his grandfather and how he and a close friend lived in a cave for a year in order to raise the money to bring their families to the United States from Italy. That, along with other stories that were told, gave her the idea to showcase all those that are unique in Helper.

“Where do you find stories like that other than a small town?” Kilpatrick-Miller stated.

From there, Kilpatrick-Miller began speaking with others to collect stories. Along with the help of people such as Mark Montoya and Michelle Goldsmith, Kilpatrick-Miller compiled a list that currently boasts 140 people to showcase. It is predicted that this project will be a four-year project.

Kilpatrick-Miller also stated that she is digitally recording the stories that she hears and plans to place all of the installments in a book that will include the stories as well as the portraits. She believes that Helper has a diverse, fun history and this is a way to do what she loves, which is paint, as well as capture the history.

When prompted to choose a favorite part of taking on the project thus far, Kilpatrick-Miller stated that she has enjoyed getting to know the people and hearing the stories. She has lived in Helper for nearly six years and was introduced to oil paints at age ten. While she always had a passion for painting, life “got in the way for a while”. After choosing to let go of her work in litigation support and move to Helper, she found her way to her passion once more.

Kilpatrick-Miller stated that a big reason for creating the exhibit is that there is a beauty in Helper’s history.

“We should respect and share that history; keep a hold of it. I think it’s easy to become bland and I want that not to happen for our community,” Kilpatrick-Miller stated.

She anticipates having the next “The Faces of Helper” line-up in June. The first installment of this exhibit will be debuted at K2 Gallery, located at 102 South on Helper’s Historic Main Street, on Friday, Dec. 15 beginning at 7 p.m. This installment, which features more than 20 faces who have shaped Helper, will be available to view for a number of weeks.

While touring the gallery is free of charge, the paintings will be available for purchase if so desired. Light refreshments will be served.

Helper residents that will be featured in the first installment include the following:

Matt Kloefer

BettyJo Kloefer

Jay and Phyllis Sillitoe

Al Hughes

Michelle Goldsmith

Netta Burton

Rufus Ellington

Marcella Montoya

Mark Montoya

Rich Columbo

Rosaline Fenn

Mary Chidester

Mike O’Shea

Ed Callor

Greg Payne

Morgan Nelson

Lois Giordano

Tom Paluso

Frank Maglioko

Jean Boyack

Jeff Gacaletto

Jim Pugliese

Sherline Riche