Mary Pieper

Around 150 drawings and paintings by a former North Iowa resident who honed his artistic skills after a high school football accident that nearly cost him his life are being exhibited at the Clear Lake Arts Center.

"Prodigal Son," a retrospective of the artwork of Marlyn Ashland, will run through Sept. 12. Ashland was the guest of honor at the opening reception Saturday.

Ashland, 79, a Clear Lake native, recently moved from his home in Ames into a nursing home and no longer had room to store his artwork. He decided to donate it to the Clear Lake Arts Center to display and sell. All proceeds from the sale of his work will go to the CLAC.

Ashland has always loved art and began drawing and painting in kindergarten. He also loved football and joined the high school team when hi

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