Art League’s Annual Show on Display at Library

By Toni Ridgway-Woodall

Crawfordsville District Public Library

The Mary Bishop Memorial Gallery at the Crawfordsville District Public Library would like to invite the community to view The Art League of Montgomery County’s Annual Art Show. This exhibit is available for public viewing now through mid-September during CDPL’s normal hours of operation. Several works of art will be for sale (cash-only) during the exhibition through our Circulation department.

This year’s show features 90 pieces of art in a variety of mediums, including fine limestone sculptures by Brian McCafferty, incredible oil paintings by Lu Johnson, Eleanor Brewer, Alice Harpel. Karen Patton, Alicia MacIsaac, and irresistible acrylic and watercolor paintings by Kathy Houghton, Leslie Warren, and Kelly O’Dell Stanley. You will find some light humor in the display case with unique clay masks by Mary Lou Dawald and Gnomes by Linda Weaver and Brianne Pack. A Bicentennial Buffalo designed by Anne Sipahimalani using fractals is on display. Local photographers John Zimmerman, Betsy Strain, and Kathy Steele have views of nature, historical places, and Sicily. Anne Sipahimalani also has a sparkling display of hand-crafted jewelry that is unique and available to purchase for anyone you want to impress. You will also be able to view fused glass, clay pieces, and animal paintings that were created during Art League department meetings for members to explore and enjoy making art.

The Art League has had an active presence in our community for over a century. The organization now known as The Art League of Montgomery County was founded in 1896 by a group of local women. The founding premise of beautifying the community through benevolence and stewardship has remained constant. The Art League’s activities and focus have varied over the years to reflect this community’s cultural climate and local talent. The ALMC continues to work with local organizations, businesses, and individuals to ensure that the arts remain a vital part of our traditions for future generations.

CDPL houses the permanent art collection of The Art League and proudly displays these works alongside its own collection. Artworks by local artists, past and present, can be viewed primarily on the second floor. Their collection also includes the Bicentennial Quilt which hangs on the first floor. The quilt has 42 hand-stitched squares based on our community’s history and our colorful lore, and it was gifted to our community by The Art League in 1976. The ALMC members have dedicated their lives to the arts and educational freedom for generations.

“The Art League of Montgomery County is open to anyone in our community who appreciates and enjoys art. You do not need to be an artist,” Art League President Kathy Steele said.

If you want to become a member or learn more about the ALMC, please send your name and contact information to The Art League of Montgomery County, Box 2, Crawfordsville, Ind. 47933, or pick up a membership brochure at the library. After the Membership Committee receives your information, you will be contacted by a representative.

View this exhibit and others during the 13th annual Art Walk in Crawfordsville’s Historical Downtown District. Red balloons will mark participating locations on Saturday, Sept. 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event encourages participants to view art in local business windows along Washington, Main, Green, and Market Streets as well as at the Carnegie Museum, CDPL, Fusion 54, Green Street Gallery and Wabash College. Brochures and maps will be available on Sept. 12-13 in all locations that have art.

For more information about CDPL’s hours of operation, please visit our website at crawfordsvillelibrary.in.gov. If you are an artist or a member of an artists’ group and are interested in displaying your work at the Mary Bishop Memorial Gallery in 2026-27, please contact the Gallery Coordinator at (765) 362-2242 for more details.