Dave and Patti Kepler: A Living Exhibit in Midland

When Patti and Dave Kepler first moved to Midland from California in their 20s, they found Midland Center for the Arts early and kept coming back. With young kids at the time, Midland Center became one of the places their family could gather, experience something new and feel connected to the community.

That connection grew when they returned to Midland in the early 1990s. Living just across the street, they became more involved in the museum, and Dave even later served on the museum board. Over the years, the Keplers' giving focused on supporting experiences that invite people to engage, return and keep discovering.

One of those experiences has become a familiar point of interest for guests across generations: the saltwater fish tank.

“I have been an aquarium hobbyist, since I was a kid,” Dave said. “Saltwater tanks can become pretty time consuming.” At one point, they had two tanks at home in Sanford. They donated one to Midland Center, a smaller version of what guests see today, and quickly saw how many people were drawn to it.

As more guests gathered around the tank, the Keplers also recognized what it would take to make it successful in a public setting. A larger tank would be easier to maintain and healthier for the fish, so they helped expand it and have supported its ongoing care. Today, it lives as a living exhibit that sparks conversation and curiosity, whether you are seeing it for the first time or checking in on your favorite fish, as many kids in the region like to do.

Now, as Midland Center continues its transformational renovations, the Keplers are helping reimagine the fish tank once again. In the updated design, the new tank will be integrated into the wall and built into the architecture, so it becomes a permanent part of the guest experience in the new Museum.

What excites Dave and Patti most about the renovation is the increased interactivity it will make possible. They believe the new museum will create reasons to return, with technology and experiences that can feel fresh from visit to visit.

For the Keplers, supporting the Midland Center is part of supporting Midland. “To be part of a community, it’s about service to others,” Patti said. “We’ve invested in the community because the community has had such a positive impact on our lives.”

And that is why the Center matters, they added. It strengthens the quality of life in our region through the arts, science and hands-on experiences that bring people together.