Artists Share Their Creative Spirit And Talents

By: Kathy Steele

Are your ready to enjoy an art-filled, joyous stroll through our beautiful downtown? On Saturday, September 23 from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm red balloons will mark the businesses downtown that will have art in their windows. This annual event is sponsored by The Art League of Montgomery County. You will see some art going up prior to this date and it will remain in the windows for a few days after September 23. Brochures listing all artists and maps of all locations will be available on September 22 and 23 at the library, Athens Arts, and all locations that have art in their windows. You will be amazed at the quality and diversity of art forms on display from all artists represented.

Starting at the Crawfordsville District Public Library you can enjoy over 100 pieces of art on display from Art League members. This is also a great place to park and pick up your map and brochure of artists. Start your art tour at the McGowen Insurance Company, 121 S. Washington Street to see creative photography from former Wabash Professor and man-around-town with his camera, John Zimmerman. At 113 S. Washington Street, In His Time Books & Gifts, you will be able to view oil paintings of landscapes, sunsets, or birds by the talented artist and vocalist, Judith Lynn Smith.

To add to the precious sparkle of jewelry in the windows of Creek Jewelers at 111 S. Washington Street, Sharon Owens, glass artist and owner of Inspired Fire Glass Gallery and Studio in Lafayette, will attract your attention to her glass vases, paperweights, and ornaments. Crawfordsville senior, Elli Jefferies, will be exhibiting her whimsical illustrations of creatures and environment with watercolor and ink at Healthies located at 109 S. Washington Street. Cross Main Street to Heathcliff at 102 N. Washington St. to see former teacher, Karen Patton’s peaceful paintings of people or places that have inspired her to pick up a paintbrush and share her talents so we can all enjoy. Toni Ridgway-Woodall, local librarian, and trained artist will share her visual storytelling artform at the offices of Taylor, Minette, Schneider & Clutter P.C. at 105 N. Washington Street. Will Bernhardt (father) and Liam Bernhardt (son-Hoover student) will grace the windows of CK & Company at 107 N. Washington Street with photographs. Both enjoy taking pictures and sharing this hobby together. Liam received a Champion ribbon for his photography at our local 4-H Fair and took his winning photography to the Indiana State Fair. Kenn Clark, our local window washer, will make us look in amazement at his reflection pictures. He noticed these reflections as he cleaned windows at our downtown businesses. You will be able to see his artistic work at Hive Realty located at 111 N. Washington Street and at The Created By… Artisan Gallery at 301 W. College Street. You will be intrigued. Your last stop on Washington Street will be at 121 N. Washington Street, Crossroads Furniture. It is worth the extra steps to see the realistic, oil portraits created by Dana Ellis. She has mastered a technique to bring skin tones to glowing perfection. Also sharing the windows will be watercolorist, Leslie Warren who recently illustrated the book Abuela’s Sombrero written by Julie Bergfors.

After enjoying all this incredible artwork, you may need to stop at Francis and Mount for lunch or a beverage, or head to Miss Sugar Ray Chocolatier at 120 W. Main Street for some chocolate delights and to view the brightly colored pieces by Rebecca Bailey, who is a student at Crawfordsville High School. Next stop will be at 122 E. Main Street, Henthorn, Harris, & Weliever, P.C. to enjoy the precise, detailed, portrait drawings of Valerie Consoer.

At the corner of Main and Green you can take a quick jog to see the work of several other local artists. At 119 N. Green Street, Country Hearts and Flowers, Kym Bushong will display her Tree of Life Sculpture and Lizandrie Dicken, Crawfordsville High School Student, will share her drawings that help her escape from reality. She allows her hands and God to guide her inspired work. Ryan J. Williams is another Crawfordsville High School student who is exhibiting his creativity. He has been spurred on by animated media. You can see his creations at 124 N. Green Street at Shop Small. At the Jarocho Mini Market at 128 N. Green Street you can take a tour of Cuba through the photographs of Kathy Steele. You can reminisce over old cars and see the fishing village where Ernest Hemingway wrote The Old Man and the Sea. Two artists share the windows of Just Because Flowers at 210 E. Market Street. Suzanne Zadai enjoys bringing SAD UGLY FURNITURE back to life. She also restores frames, mirrors, jewelry boxes, and lamps. Diana Bell loves to quilt and she shares her love of quilting in every stitch she takes. Please make the effort to carefully cross Market Street to see these loving creations.

As you return to Main Street, you will be dazzled by Don Gould’s pin-striping sculptures. He has turned his interest of pin- striping cars into another form of art. His work is on display at Top Line Athletics at 212 E. Main Street. Enjoy Alice Harpel’s impressionistic style of art at DES at 214 E. Main Street. She uses various tools to create depth and shapes in her paintings as well as bright colors that will draw you into her florals and streetscapes. Right next door is the Athens Art Gallery which is hosting a national exhibit of juried art. Make sure you take time to visit during regular operating hours or when you see the OPEN sign on the sidewalk. John Oilar’s black ink drawings on white canvas can be viewed at Tri

County Bank located at 224 E. Main Street. John also sketches portraits at local events.

Start your art quest on the south side of Main Street at the Peach Insurance Agency, 309 E. Main Street, where you will experience the fine photography of Christian Webb. He enjoys taking photographs close to home and in the surrounding areas. He finds beauty in architecture, landscapes, and abandoned locations. Stroll back to Green Street where you can stop for refreshments and great desserts at Maxine’s on Green and walk across the street to the Green Street Gallery, 119 S. Green Street, where you will drool over the masterpieces of Jerry Smith’s award-winning watercolors and oils. Brian McCafferty, Wabash librarian and musician, will also be displaying at this gallery. Brian carves small limestone figures and creates intricate, symmetrical designs on paper.

Your final lap of the art circuit will take you back to the South side of Main Street. You do not want to miss the whimsical Witch Houses and Witch dresses created by Roberta Bowman at Nogginz Haircare Co. at 125 E. Main Street. Roberta has created Witch Houses for several years and recently branched out to design Witch Dresses. She loves to create and makes at least one new Witch House every year. Anne Viray Sipahimalani will dazzle you with her intricate and delicate bead weaving and wearable art jewelry found at Milligan’s Flowers & Gifts at 115 E. Main Street. Stacie Cook will share her miniature pets and buildings that she builds and paints. She enjoys art as a hobby. In the same location, The Joshua Cup at 111 E. Main Street, Sandy Clark will set up some of her creative works where she combines materials such as wood, fiber, metal, and paint. Sandy’s work can also be seen and purchased at The Created By… Artisan Gallery at 301 E. College Street. Darla Goodrich will display two oil paintings at Sugar Creek Eyecare, 109 E. Main Street. Darla, who is a minister at the First Christian Church, recently took a sabbatical where she had the opportunity to learn to paint with oils. You will enjoy two paintings that she has recently created. Carol Baird, an artist at Athens Arts, will share her delightful watercolor nature paintings at Bush Design Co., located at 107 E. Main Street. Lakin Wilcox Photography at 105 E. Main Street will showcase the nature-inspired works of Susan Chester. She uses dried flowers, resin, and alcohol inks to design functional works of art. Ronnie Walters was encouraged by Jenna Morello, when she painted the mural next to Milligan’s last year. Stop at PRKD Properties at 103 E. Main Street to enjoy Ronnie’s newest creations. Shari McCollough will be displaying her nature photography of primarily birds and wildlife at Four Seasons at 128 S. Washington Street. If you still have any energy left, stop by the Carnegie Museum to see The Magic of Water, a collection of art with a focus on water.

As you can tell, our community has a wealth of creative artists who love to produce art. It makes them happy, fulfilled, and energized. Some sell their art; others give it away. It may be a way to make a living or a way to share their love of art. This walking exhibit, organized by the Art League of Montgomery County, was designed to showcase artwork from our local artists. It is supported by all the businesses that allow artists to put work in their windows. It can and should be enjoyed by all. Please take time to take a tour of our beautiful downtown. We are fortunate to have a Main Street organization and a city government that has a desire to keep our downtown clean, safe, and active. The Art Walk is just one way for the community to enjoy the craftsmanship and talent of artists.

– Kathy Steele is the President of The Art League of Montgomery County and retired Superintendent of Crawfordsville Schools.