Paper-Cutting Artist Returns to Princeton

Two years ago, Keith Bonnstetter amazed and delighted attendees of his cut paper snowflake workshop sponsored by the Princeton’s Prairie Arts Council. Today, the PAC is proud to announce an encore workshop by Bonnstetter on Saturday, November 16, at the Prairie Arts Center, 24 Park Avenue East in Princeton.

There will be a 1 p.m. workshop for children ages 8 to 12, followed by a 3 p.m. program for adults. The workshops are free but space is limited. To reserve a seat, please make a no-cost reservation through the PAC’s online ticketing system at www.prairiearts.org. Participants are invited to make a free will offering at the event to help defray the workshop costs.

Bonstetter, a teacher from Bettendorf Iowa, was inspired by his family’s struggle with childhood illness. His daughter was born with impaired motor skills. In spite of a discouraging prognosis from a major medical center, Bonstetter and his wife never lost faith. They eventually connected with a chiropractor whose treatment resulted in almost immediate improvement. 

Overjoyed by their daughter’s recovery, the Bonstetters were still saddled with significant medical bills. “If God healed her, surely He could help with our bills. We put our trust in Him,” said Bonstetter.

That’s when Keith began making his cut paper designs.  Fellow teachers asked if his designs were for sale, and what began as a stress-relieving outlet soon turned into a thriving side business. Before long, the medical bills were paid off.

Since then, Keith has appeared as a guest on the Martha Stewart Show. Seeing the hand of God in his family’s story, he often donates items to raise money for charities.

The snowflake workshop, as well as many other programs sponsored by the Prairie Arts Council, is made possible in part through grants received from the Illinois Arts Council and the Church Women United.