Lindsborg, KS is often referred to as "The Little Sweden." Swedish immigrants established Lingsborg in 1868. Lindsborg is the home of Bethany College, established in 1881. The community has done a fine job of promoting the town's Swedish heritage.

The Red Barn Studio was the working studio of Lester Raymer from 1945 until his death in 1991.     Lester Raymer was born in Oklahoma in 1907 and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a major in painting from the Art Institute of Chicago.     He met his wife, Ramona, at the Art Institute but they did not marry until 1945, a number of years after they attended school together. Ramona's parents, who owned the Brunswick Hotel in Lindsborg, gave the newlyweds two barns on the hotel property, which became Lester's studio. Ramona, also an artist, made a career of promoting her husband's prolific work--painting, sculpture, ceramics, furniture prints, masks. toys, banners.     Raymer was an excellent draftsman, and his work has a strong personal style.

The Red Barn Studio is open Wednesday thru Sunday, 1-4 p.m. Other times by appointment. Admission is $2.00 for adults, $.50 for children. The Red Barn Studio and The Raymer Society for the Arts is located at 212 South Main, Lindsborg, Kansas 67456, 785-227-2217. View the official web site: www.redbarnstudio.org. Email: raymer@redbarnstudio.org.

The Birger Sandzen Memorial Gallery is located on the campus of Bethany College. Birger Sandzen, born in Blidsberg, Sweden in 1871, was a painter who taught at Bethany in Lindsborg for over 50 years. His painting, and samples of work by Lester Raymer, can be seen in this gallery.

Recently moved from Brookville, Kansas, the hotel is located just north of Interstate 70 at Abilene, Its owners have built a reputation as a fine place to get a delicious fried chicken dinner, family-style.

All photos © 2000 by Carol Yoho
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