Leaving a Legacy
An artist with a passion for the desert southwest. A son with a deep appreciation for community. The gift of a lasting legacy.
When Wayne and Sandy Benesch decided to donate some of his father’s artwork to the Yuma Regional Cancer Center in 2013, he knew it would leave a lasting legacy. Wayne’s father, Louis Benesch, was a skillful artist who used oils, pastels and watercolors to capture the essence of southwestern landscape and culture. Louis’ affinity for the Arizona desert is portrayed in his unique artistic style, combining portraiture and landscapes. He mastered the art of capturing the human spirit, as illustrated through many of his American Indian portraits. His intricate paintings breathe life into landscapes - you can practically feel the warm air and serenity of the desert while viewing his work.
“For me and my family, we view my father’s artwork as priceless. It provides a window to the world through my fathers eyes, a world that he admired. By contributing his work to Yuma Regional Cancer Center, we hope patients and families will not only appreciate his paintings, but we also hope they find healing and tranquillity in viewing them. ”
Just as Louis Benesch valued the serenity and beauty of the desert, Wayne Benesch possesses a deep appreciation for the Yuma community, which has been home to him and his family for more than 50 years. This donation of artwork to Yuma Regional Cancer Center not only preserves the legacy of his father but also the legacy of his own family in Yuma. The Benesch family hopes their donation inspires philanthropy and demonstrates the healing power of art.
“I think my father would be both pleased and humbled - he was not one to seek out recognition. My father painted because it was a way of expressing himself, it was a talent he had and he just enjoyed painting. I think he would be very pleased to see the purpose for which his painting are now being used. ”