18 Millennium - A Marquis Who’s Who Magazine ARTS, MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT POLLY LEONARD KEENER FREELANCE ILLUSTRATOR Akron, OH For more than 50 years, Polly Leonard Keener has been a leading figure in the illustration industry, working as a freelance illustrator since 1969. She is the creative force behind the cartoon strip “Hamster Alley” and the puzzle/cartoon features “Mystery Mosaic” and “Sudoku Happi,” all of which were nationally syndicated to approximately 450 newspapers. Mrs. Keener wrote the book “Cartooning" in 1992, with a foreword by “Garfield” creator Jim Davis. She also created “Toon Appetit: Recipes and Cartoons,” a cookbook produced by the Great Lakes chapter of the National Cartoonists Society, and has illustrated various books by other authors. Art was an early part of Mrs. Keener's life. Her older sister was an artist, and her mother was a teacher who often brought home school supplies. Mrs. Keener drew pictures to entertain herself, which helped her learn how to improve her craft. She completed coursework at Kent State University and Princeton University before earning a bachelor's degree at Connecticut College in 1968. Mrs. Keener began her professional career as a soft sculpture instructor from 1976 to 1978. During this time, she also established Keener Corporation, which became known for its creative output and dedication to artistic excellence. She served as president until 2007, enabling her to oversee both the business and creative sides of her work in the industry. In 1979, Mrs. Keener stepped into the classroom as an instructor of cartooning at the University of Akron, a position she held until 2004. She also taught cartooning at the Northeastern Ohio University College of Medicine from 1992 to 1994. Countless students were mentored and inspired by her expertise and hands-on instruction. Additionally, Mrs. Keener served as a cartoon text writer for Prentice Hall Publications from 1985 to 2006. This work involved crafting engaging content for educational materials and publications used in elementary schools, high schools and colleges. The position enabled her to further support and educate the next generation of cartoonists and artists. She has also judged various arts-and-crafts competitions throughout Akron, Ohio.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTQ5NDA2