Are your ready to enjoy an art-filled, joyous stroll through beautiful downtown Crawfordsville?
On Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. red balloons will mark the businesses with art in their windows for the annual Art Walk sponsored by the Art League of Montgomery County. Some art will go up prior to this date and remain in the windows for a few days after.
Brochures listing all artists and maps will be available Friday and Saturday at the library, Athens Arts and all locations that have art in their windows.
Starting at the Crawfordsville District Public Library the public can enjoy more than 100 pieces of art on display from Art League members. This is also a great place to park and pick up a map and brochure.
Start the art tour at the McGowen Insurance Company, 121 S. Washington St., to see creative photography from former Wabash College professor and man-around-town with his camera, John Zimmerman. At In His Time Books & Gifts, 113 S. Washington St., view oil paintings of landscapes, sunsets or birds by the talented artist and vocalist, Judith Lynn Smith. Adding to the sparkle of jewelry in the windows at Creek Jewelers, 111 S. Washington St., are glass vases, paperweights and ornaments by Sharon Owens, glass artist and owner of Inspired Fire Glass Gallery and Studio in Lafayette. Crawfordsville senior, Elli Jeffries, will exhibit her whimsical illustrations of creatures and environment with watercolor and ink at Healthies, 109 S. Washington St.
Cross Main Street to heathcliff, 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. Toni Ridgway-Woodall, local librarian, and trained artist will share her visual storytelling artform at the offices of Taylor, Minette, Schneider & Clutter P.C., 105 N. Washington St. Will Bernhardt and his son Liam Bernhardt, a Hoover student, will grace the windows of CK & Company, 107 N. Washington St., with photographs. Both enjoy taking pictures and sharing this hobby together. Liam received a champion ribbon for his photography at the local 4-H fair and took his winning photography to the Indiana State Fair.
Kenn Clark, has been a photographer since he was a teenager. His photo project is titled “Reflections of Main … as seen by windel w. asher.” He will make us look in amazement at his reflection pictures. Sandy Clark will display some of her creative works where she combines materials such as wood, fiber, metal and paint. Their work is on exhibit at Hive Realty, 111 N. Washington St., and can also be seen and purchased at The Created By … Artisan Gallery, 301 E. College St.
Your last stop on Washington Street will be at Crossroad Furniture, 121 N. Washington St. 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 St. for some chocolate delights and to view the brightly colored pieces by Rebecca Bailey, a Crawfordsville High School student.
Next stop will be at Henthorn, Harris & Weliever P.C., 122 E. Main St., to enjoy the precise, detailed, portrait drawings of Valerie Consoer. At the corner of Main and Green streets you can take a quick jog to see the work of several other local artists. At Country Hearts and Flowers, 126 N. Green St., Darla Goodrich will display two oil paintings and a black and white sketch. Goodrich, 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 the two paintings she recently created as well as her sketch from her college days.
Ryan J. Williams, another Crawfordsville High School student, is exhibiting his creativity. He has been spurred on by animated media. You can see his creations at Shop Small, 124 N. Green St. At the Jarocho Mini Market, 128 N. Green St., 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, 210 E. Market St. 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 won’t want to miss Rick Pack’s sculptures adapted from Dr. Seuss’ 1930’s “Collection of Unorthodox Taxidermy.” He has created Flaming Herring, Mulberry Street Unicorn and Sea-Going Dilemma Fish for your enjoyment. His work is on display at Top Line Athletics, 212 E. Main St. Enjoy Alice Harpel’s impressionistic style of art at DES, 214 E. Main St. 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.
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, 224 E. Main St. Oilar 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 St., 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 St., where you can view the masterpieces of Jerry Smith’s award-winning watercolors and oils. Brian McCafferty, retired Wabash librarian and musician, will also be displaying at this gallery. McCafferty 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., 125 E. Main St. Bowman 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, and Kym Bushong will display her Tree of Life Sculpture at Milligan’s Flowers & Gifts, 115 E. Main St. 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 St., 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.
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. Her work will be displayed at Sugar Creek Eyecare, 109 E. Main St. Carol Baird, an artist at Athens Arts, will share her delightful watercolor nature paintings at Bush Design Co., 107 E. Main St. Lakin Wilcox Photography, 105 E. Main St., 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 St. to enjoy
Walter’s newest creations.
Shari McCollough will display her nature photography of primarily birds and wildlife at Four Seasons, 128 S. Washington St. Lane Place Museum, 212 S. Water St., will be open for tours with a $7 admission fee. This Greek-Revival mansion was built in 1845 by Sen. Henry S. Lane and his wife, Joanna Elston Lane. The Speed Cabin, once a haven for runaway slaves, is located on the north side of the grounds.
Enjoy the colorful garden piece created by students at Rainbows and Rhymes Preschool, 212 E. Wabash Ave. They constructed the piece from recycled water bottles that have been painted and decorated. Work by Marina Kuchinski will be exhibited at Wabash College Fine Arts Building, 504 S. Grant Ave. Kuchinski is a visual artist practicing in ceramics, mixed media and installation. She primarily hand-builds and slip-casts animal and human forms to reflect on the posthuman condition.
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,” said Steele, Art League president. “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 local artists. It is supported by all the businesses that allow artists to put work in their windows.
“Please take time to take a tour of our beautiful downtown,” Steele added. “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.”
