From the Pulpit to the Palette: How Pastor Mitzi Miyamoto Paints Her Next Chapter of Vocation
Retiring from full-time ministry often marks a transition, but for Pastor Mitzi Miyamoto, it served as an invitation to lean into a lifelong calling. Featured in the August/September 2026 issue of Coulee Region Women magazine, Pastor Mitzi’s story highlights how retirement can offer a meaningful continuation of God's purpose through art and community.
A Life Shaped by Art and Faith
For Pastor Mitzi, creative expression and pastoral ministry have always been deeply connected. Coming from a family filled with both artists and pastors, she maintained her artistic roots while earning her undergraduate degree in sociology from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and pursuing her theological education at Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. During her studies, she funded her seminary textbooks by creating custom-painted designs.
Throughout her ministry—which culminated in her retirement from Coon Valley Lutheran Church in 2018—her identity as an artist directly enriched her pastoral care. "My theology was informed by being an artist," she reflects in the article. "I think it helped me as a pastor to be more accepting because you look at the world and see beauty in unusual places."
Vocation in Retirement: The Central Park Gallery
When Pastor Mitzi retired from parish ministry, her calling shifted toward creating art full-time. In Coon Valley, she formed a connection with Floyd Storey, owner of the Central Park Gallery. Following Storey’s passing in 2022, his family invited Pastor Mitzi to take over management of the gallery to keep his legacy alive while fulfilling her dream of spending her days creating.
Today, Pastor Mitzi paints on traditional canvases, rocks, walnut slices, and even guitar bodies, drawing inspiration from the natural beauty of the Coulee Region. Her work offers an accessible, personal way to connect with others. Following the loss of her husband of 55 years, Bud, in 2024, the gallery provided a space for healing, creative release, and peaceful reflection.
A Hub for Inspiration and Community
Pastor Mitzi’s second career reminds us that vocation is not bound to a job title or defined by age. Whether delivering a sermon or painting a local landscape, the core work remains the same: witnessing beauty, cultivating hope, and building community.
If you find yourself in Coon Valley, drop by Central Park Gallery to say hello to Pastor Mitzi, view her artwork, and enjoy a moment of creative refreshment.
