Joyful Display

The Mary Bishop Memorial Gallery at the Crawfordsville District Public Library invites 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 the library’s normal hours of operation. Several works of art will be for sale (cash-only) during the exhibition through the circulation department.

Seventeen Art League members have created a joyful and delightful display of 53 unique works that include creative paper arts by Ruby Burkhart and Linda Cherry; watercolors by C.J. Charles, C.J. Mouradian, and Leslie Warren; oil and acrylic works by Eleanor Brewer, Mary Lou Dawald, Kathy Houghton, Alicia MacIsaac, and Judith Smith; media works by Ellie Dieckmeyer; and photography by David Bethard, Elizabeth Cook, Mar Utterback, John Zimmerman, and Kathy Steele.

View this exhibit and other works of art by local artists in our community during the 13th annual Art Walk in Crawfordsville’s Historical Downtown District. Red balloons will mark participating locations from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 12. 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. 11-12 in all locations that have art.

New this year, the Art League also will have a scavenger hunt. Visitors will have fun viewing the art exhibits, solving clues, and having the opportunity to win prizes. Clue cards will be available at the corner of Pike and Washington streets beginning at 10 a.m. Sept. 12. Prizes will be awarded at noon. and participants must be present to win.

The Art League has had an active presence in the community for over a century founded in 1896 by a group of local women. The goal of Art League is to connect with others to learn, support, and encourage art to make a positive difference in our community. 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.

The Art League is open to anyone in our community who appreciates and enjoys art. You do not need to be an artist. If you are interested in becoming a member or learning more about the ALMC, you can visit our Facebook group page The Art League of Montgomery County, inquire online at mocoartleague@gmail.com or pick up a membership brochure at the library. Send your contact information and you will be contacted by an ALMC representative.

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.

For more information about CDPL’s hours of operation, visit online at www.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, contact the gallery coordinator at 765-362-2242 for more details.