Engler 5K celebrates late artist’s memory

For those who knew Kath Engler, this spring has been – and will continue to be – a time of closure and celebration.

First came the private sale of some of the late artist’s remaining artwork, and on Saturday, April 18, anyone who remembers Engler will be able to participate in the first annual 5K Run with Art in Memory of Kath Engler, which is open to anyone of any age or ability who can “run, walk, or roll.”

Engler, a nurse and artist who produced some of GRU’s most visible pieces of art, including “The Cultural Triad” in front of the Maxwell Theatre and “The Nature of Healing” that greets visitors to the Children’s Hospital of Georgia, died last June at 63, but her legacy lives on though the many lives she touched with her art and with her Run with Art camps, where she introduced hundreds of local children to two of her greatest loves – art and physical fitness.

A true product of what would become Georgia Regents University, she earned a degree in art from Augusta College and a nursing degree from the Medical College of Georgia.

“She took you for who you were,” said Jennifer Anderson, Director of Respiratory Care for Georgia Regents Medical Center, who was one of Engler’s close friends. “She had that unique perspective of looking at things differently, but I believe Kath looked at people differently, too.”

Much of her artwork was recently displayed at her home, where friends and select members of the arts community were invited to purchase some of the remaining items in the extensive collection. The larger sculptures were exhibited on the lawn, with the smaller work displayed on tables inside, particularly her noted assemblage pieces, which she made out of objects she collected during her day-to-day.

“She had such a gift for taking all these things and putting them together,” Anderson said. “You immediately noticed how beautiful the composition was, but when you really started looking at a granular level, it was like, wow – I know that.”

Pre-registration for the run is $25 ($10 for children 12 and under) and includes a T-shirt. On the day of the event, registration starts at 8:30 a.m. and the cost climbs to $30.

Both the 5K and the 1-mile fun run begin in the circle of HealthSouth/Walton Rehabilitation Hospital at 9 a.m.

For more information, visit waltonfoundation.net/5K.