Donna Myers Profile

Donna Ruff Myers

Donna and her husband Bob relocated to Kernersville from York County, Pennsylvania, in 1986. After joining First Presbyterian Church, she became active in the community as well as the church.

Donna was the driving force and innovator behind the famous First Presbyterian Easter Egg Ministry which will celebrate its 25^th year in 2015. To read about how this ministry began, please click here.

She is an ordained Elder of the church and has served on the Session twice. Activities in the church have included singing in the choir; serving as Chair of the Pastor Nominating Committee in 1990; serving on the Personnel Committee for 18 years; and has periodically served on all of the church committees with the exception of Stewardship & Finance

Donna also played a key role in the establishment of the Shepherd’s Center Companion Sitter Program. A member of Kernersville 205 Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, she has served as Worthy Matron and District 16 Deputy Grand Matron.

Donna has always been involved in the creative arts. She owned, with two partners, and operated the M & K Ceramics in Collinsville, PA for ten years. During this time she became interested in what was then called tole painting.

It was not until she relocated to Kernersville that Donna took her first class in decorative painting from Jeanette Peace. In the 30 years since then she has studied with many painters and has grown as an artist and teacher. For the last 12 years she has primarily studied with David Jansen. Other painters she has studied with over the years include Scottie Foster, Maureen McNaughton, Erika Amman, Heidi England, Pipka Ulivan, Sandy Aubuchon, Arlene Linton, Pricilla Hauser, Teresa Maxwell, Donna Rose Prestridge, and Gaby Hunter.

In 2009 Donna received her certification as a Teacher of Decorative Arts (TDA) from the Society of Decorative Arts. She is also certified as a Heritage Teacher and is a Deco Art Helping Artist. When asked for her views on the future of decorative painting, she replied: “I think it is alive and well all over the world, but the United States is in need of more teachers.”

Donna first began teaching decorative painting in 1999 at Guilford Community College. In 2001 she decided to concentrate on the decorative painting ministry at First Presbyterian. Her favorite style of painting is Bavarian Folk Art (Bauernmalerei), Rosemaling (Norway) and Zhostovo (Russian). Examples of these styles are illustrated below with photos of Donna's personal work.

Regarding the Decorative Painting Ministry, Donna said: “Its been wonderful to see all of the students grow in their skills and become beautiful artists. They don’t always appreciate what they are painting, but everything is meant to give them exposure to as many skills as possible. Several students paint better than their teacher. They have been together for a long time and have a great friendship with each other. It’s a joyful place to be. I had hoped to bring new folks to the church through this class and have managed to bring four new active members to our church. I am always available to the students for questions or help. I feel this is a group of believers coming together for a common goal and we try to act accordingly.”