By DARLA McCAMMON Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — “Seagrapes and Mangroves” was the excellent acrylic work of our friend Pat Thompson. This piece also won Thompson the Best of Show award and the recent fall competition at Lakeland Art Association. Other top winners were:  Elizabeth Wamsley, first place for her ceramic vase titled “Seafoam.” Stephanie …read more.

By DARLA McCAMMON Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — Normalcy is not a word one would use to describe Tracey Emin.  Her life and her work elicit sympathy but more often disapproval from those who at least try to live by certain codes of conduct that keep us civilized.  She came onto the art scene with …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — He called them “readymades” but most of us would call them toilet bowls, snow shovels, bicycle wheels or urinals. Our artist this week led a life in which he tried to expand what he saw as the constraints of traditional art. “My idea,” he explained, “was to …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — Our artist this week lives a more normalized personal life compared to some of our other and upcoming examples of eccentricity in artists; however, her work is unique and different and compelling.  Yulia Brodskaya was born in Russia and by the age of 6 her parents recognized …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — Our Eccentric Artist series is getting another interruption this week because I wanted you to know about an exciting event coming to Warsaw. The Lakeland Art Association is sponsoring a fundraising event that will benefit you as well as the art organization.  An Artisan Holiday Boutique will …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — Are artists eccentric on purpose?  Studies have shown that we are likely to be much more adoring of artwork when we discover the artist has a fascinating background and personal life. Do some artists capitalize on this to bring attention and money and fame to their work?  …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Arts Association WARSAW — Back to our series of unusual and eccentric artists we discover a Victorian age painter named Richard Dadd.  Dadd was born in Kent England.  His father was a chemist so there was intelligence in the gene pool. Young Dadd showed promise as an artist from a young …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — Not sure if eccentricity runs throughout the artist community in the same proportion as it runs through the general public, but one thing is for sure—there are a number of artists who have drifted off what most of us would call the “normal” meter.  I thought you …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association Although the group of seven stayed limited to that number, there were about four other artists who moved in and out of the group while maintaining a steady membership at seven.  One of those who associated with the group for a short time was Canadian landscape artist Frank H. …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association English-Canadian, Arthur Lismer was not only a member of the famous Group of Seven artists of Canada, but he also made a name for himself as the “dazzle camouflage” artist.  Lismer was born in June 1885 in Sheffield England.  An early interest in drawing and art led him to …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Arts Association WARSAW — Three different artists have joined forces to create a crisp new exhibit available for viewing now at the Lakeland Art Association gallery.  Explaining her “Not Quite Quilted” exhibit, Teresa Carrano generously shares. “I learned to sew garments sitting on my grandmother’s lap at the sewing machine because …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Arts Association WARSAW — The Group of Seven was a small exclusive club of artists in Canada. This group had a great impact on art in Canada, particularly in two of the largest cities, Toronto, Ontario and Montreal, Quebec. We talked about the founder Carmichael last week.  A.Y. Jackson was another …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Arts Association When I went to church Sunday a lovely lady in our congregation stopped me and said she always enjoyed this column and even cuts it out and saves it! Those words meant so much to me and make the work of researching and writing this column on a weekly basis …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — Lakeland Art Association recently held it’s annual spring competition. Artists from a wide geographic area submitted entries hoping to win the nice purse that is always offered. The works were not categorized for this show thus all works were evaluated against all other works. The judge was …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Arts Association WARSAW — Lakeland Art Association will open a new exhibit on Wednesday, May 31 for your viewing pleasure. Remember this gallery/museum is free for entry. They carry much more than nice art. You will find some very nice things like custom greeting cards, apparel, custom made jewelry at a …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Arts Association Since I now have an exhibit of my own work at the Warsaw City Hall Art Gallery, it seemed a good time to share with you a painting I did a few years ago of two of our pets.  I think you will greatly enjoy this particular exhibit because …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Arts Association In February 2013 a hacker created a small sensation when former President George W. Bush was notified that his sister Dorothy’s email account was compromised. No, it was not a national security issue, but rather, the world was to learn that the former President of the United States at …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Arts Association This unusual canvas was actually a dinner plate and the story behind this dog portrait on the dinner plate is quite a tale (pun intended)!  Pablo Picasso was known as a vivid character and his work has always been a subject of controversy with some saying he was a …read more.

By Darla McCammon Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — Compare this more formal work above to that of Mary Cassett from our column last week. What a difference! Charles Willson Peale was an early American painter and this family portrait of The Peale Family is much more traditional and formal in spite of the smiling faces …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Arts Association Diego Velázquez created this group portrait titled Las Meninas around 1656. This work can now be seen at the famous Prado museum in Madrid, Spain. This painting, considered the artist’s masterpiece, shows us that pets were considered a welcome part of the Spanish court during the time of King …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Arts Association WARSAW — This week we meet a beautiful Collie painted on Cape Cod. Edward Hopper, the artist, and his wife spent a great deal of time in this tranquil place. The work Hopper did at Cape Cod was quite a juxtaposition compared to Hopper’s cityscapes with forbidding factories and …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Arts Association WARSAW — We will return to our Pets by Famous Artists series next week. Thank you all for the compliments and enjoyment of this series! This interruption; however, is a delightful one, because it will give you an opportunity to visit an exhibit by Andrew Tomasik. Tomasik is an …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Arts Association WARSAW — Edouard Manet was born in early 1832 with a wealthy family and political connections who expected him to continue the family tradition in his choice of career. Manet rejected all this in favor of becoming a painter and is today considered by many to be the artist …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Arts Association WARSAW — We will pause in our Pet Portrait series this week to give you an opportunity to enjoy some local art flavor and exhibits that are going to be available for you  to visit. Next week we will return to our fascinating study of artists and the pets …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Arts Association WARSAW — The artist with a pet this week might mystify you if I told you the work was done by an artist named Harmenszoon. With a couple of exceptions, such as Michelangelo and Raphael, we know most artists by their last name, as in Rubens, Picasso, Dali, Renoir, …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Arts Association WARSAW — As the Executive Director of the Animal Welfare League I would be very remiss if I did not share with you some interesting art work by famous artists about dogs and cats. For the next few weeks we will delve into some little known facts about various …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Arts Association WARSAW — Did you know that in Warsaw, a stone’s throw away from most of us, is a little-known locally, but famous internationally, museum? One of the most famous museums in the world is right here in the local Hallmark Gold Crown Store known as The Party Shop. This …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Arts Association WARSAW — Born in poverty in the middle of America in a dot on the map called David City, Neb., Joyce C. Hall was named after an itinerant preacher. His father, also a traveling minister, deserted the family when Hall was only seven. Hall disliked the moniker-Joyce- and once …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — Lakeland Art Gallery will open for the season with a fascinating exhibit. Dave Taylor is a familiar face in our community. He has worn multiple hats during his life. From positions spanning twenty-five years with companies such as Rabb and Collier’s he developed expertise in those areas …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Arts Association WINONA LAKE — Did you know there is an art gallery on the Grace College campus you can visit? Located in the beautiful Mount Memorial building on King’s Highway, the Department of visual, performing, and media arts consistently offers talented students and faculty exhibiting opportunities. The current exhibit held an opening …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — When He picked up a 4-inch wide paint brush and began talking to us as he dabbled some of his “happy little clouds,” on a canvas, we (but not the art critics) learned to love watching him. We were fascinated as he worked his sometimes magical efforts …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association Artists have long illustrated paintings representing the passage of the old year to the New Year as it is celebrated on Jan. 1.  A great variety of artists and illustrators have left their interpretation of this event.  The drawings vary from almost macabre works showing the grim reaper in …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — We first hear about Sinterklaas or Sint Nikolaas long ago. A 4th century Saint from an area now known as Turkey was known for secretly giving gifts. He was known for depositing pennies in the little wooden shoes that were left for him to fill on the …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Arts Association WARSAW — I have an update on last week’s column. I thought you might like to know that Ms. Muraski’s stained glass window design won the President’s Award at Grace College in spite of the fact she created it believing the person was correct who told her the contest …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — Hope you all enjoyed the humor in the art trivia last week; but, now let’s get to the merriest of seasons. There is an artistic technique that bodes well for the holiday Christmas season. In fact, you can go visit a clever and colorful display exhibiting the technique …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — How did you fare last week with our art trivia challenge?  If you managed to get seven or more questions right, you are well above average in your knowledge of art. Now, here is another chance to test your art knowledge. Ready? Who was an American female artist …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — Northern Indiana is in for a treat. The Lakeland Art Association just completed their juried art competition for their annual Fall Show. Winners were announced at a reception on Sunday, Nov. 13 at the new gallery location on Winona Avenue in Warsaw. You are welcome to bring your …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — Is Fashion an art form? This question has been debated many times. Famous designer Ralph Lauren has said, “I don’t design clothes. I design dreams.” Another fabulous fashion designer said, “Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — If you have not yet had an opportunity to visit the Warsaw City Hall Art Exhibitions that are available to the public for free, you really need to think about taking your family each time a new artist and their work is unveiled. The city hall is just …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association In this column I have shared many things during the past eight plus years.  Some of those included my trip to the Louvre in Paris.  One thing I have not shared is the surprising (to me and my husband) spectacle that greeted us when we looked out on the famous …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association Once the pedestal was completed the Statue of Liberty soon became an icon to those immigrating to this country. We were a country that offered opportunity. The type of immigrant who wanted that opportunity and supported the country and the freedoms available was gladly welcomed. A famous New York …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association The 12 acre parcel called Bedloe’s Island that was later changed to the name Ellis Island had been selected for the site of the Statue of Liberty, but the progress on the base, or pedestal that would support the colossal work was slowed during the time of the depression. …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association Last week we talked about how Bartholdi initially designed the Statue of Liberty but his friend Le-Duc was the engineer who began crafting it into what we know today by proposing a copper skin that would be connected to an interior pier. Incredibly, and to Bartholdi’s grief and dismay, …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi made several early models of the Statue of Liberty.  All were females and were robed in a long gown and cloak similar to those on Roman goddesses.  From the beginning Bartholdi insisted that one arm would be raised holding a torch, reaching toward the sky.  He …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association One of the largest and most famous statues in the world rises like a lighthouse beacon at the entrance to New York Harbor. As this time of remembrance about that most tragic day of September 11, 2001, a day that is etched in the minds of the world, it …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association We will be privileged with two lovely art exhibits this month. Marilyn Kruger, an Indiana native from Akron grew up knowing she would be an artist. She had an aunt who was a professional who taught and encouraged her from an early age. Her first formal art education was …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — Chinoiserie came about in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries when Europeans became enthralled with art of the Chinese culture and other Eastern Asian countries. The French word for Chinese is Chinois. The lure of the exotic orient flowed into European homes and estates through designs on wallpapers, …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association If you have read my book, “Diamond Bait,” you will see my fascination with Canada and the “First Nation”  Ojibway Indian heritage of Ontario and other parts of Canada. John and I were recently privileged to return to this spectacularly beautiful part of Ontario for a visit (and a …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association How many of you have or know someone with an old heritage hand-made quilt that has been passed down in the family?  Such creative quilting will be on exhibit at many county fairs this summer.  Colorful concoctions and mild (or wild) designs will be competing for ribbons and honors …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — The Warsaw City Hall has sidewalk art and Seward Johnson sculpture art surrounding it, but within its’ walls you will find the abstract art of Brenda Stichter.  Bright colors zoom off the canvas in a kaleidoscope of intriguing designs. Stichter shares her view of art with us, “Choosing …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — The Brenda Stichter exhibit will open at Warsaw City Hall this week. More information on Stichter and her work will be available in next week’s column but her exciting exhibit of abstract work will be open at Warsaw City Hall from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — Some of us have had the great privilege of visiting Paris, France and the world famous Louvre museum that is located on the right bank of the Seine River. The history of this building and its’ contents is fascinating but current events have caused headlines too. The Seine River …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association Gardens receive much focus in the spring.  In the 1900s wealthy Americans hired landscape architects, a new term at the time, to design their country estates.  The Olmsted Brothers developed quite a reputation for their work in designing these gardens.  The brothers utilized the natural scenery in each space …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — We cannot let a series of “Spring Flowers by the Masters” go by without introducing you (tongue in cheek) to our most prolific spring flower: the dandelion. The dandelion is a flower loved by some, eaten in salad by many, and hated by most gardeners. Although some …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — We’ve covered daffodils, tulips and lilacs but nothing like the late spring blooming “Black Iris” created by one of America’s most famous women artists, Georgia O’Keeffe. Created in 1926, this over-large oil on canvas painting measures 36 by 30 inches in dimension. This is considered one of her …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association If you recall, our daffodil artist Morisot (sometimes spelled Morrisott) was an impressionist. She was a contemporary and friend of this week’s spring flower artist, Edouard Manet. Manet, like Morisot, transitioned from stark realism to impressionism in his work. Impressionism generally has softer edges and creates the “feeling” or …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON, Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — Daffodils are brave and stalwart little flowers. Well before the rest of slumbering bulbs and foliage are willing to show off to the world, the daffodil delights us by protruding through the earth in order to show us a bright yellow face and green stems. Risking late snowfalls and …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — I promised more about the artist of the St. Patrick’s Day parade painting you saw last week. His name was Frederick Childe Hassam. Born in 1859 in the U.S., Hassam was the son of a Boston businessman wealthy enough to have a home full of antiques and art. As …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — Maewyn Succan was born to a rich British family but when he was only 16 he was kidnapped and taken to Ireland by raiders in an attempt to steal his family’s property. For six years he remained a captive and worked hard as a shepherd in Ireland. …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON, Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — In the U.S. alone there are over 35,000 museums. According to the Washington Post this is a larger number than McDonald’s and Starbucks locations-combined. This number has almost doubled in the last twenty years when there were only 17,000 such facilities. Of these numbers there are 6,500 …read more.

WARSAW — Beginning March 2 through April 2, The Lakeland Art Association will offer a free exhibit for the public at the gallery located at 302 E.Winona Avenue, Warsaw.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — Bernie Mitchell was a drywall finisher back in 1990. You know – the stuff they nail up on the studs to cover the walls in homes. The same stuff they tape up along the seams and then use a product called drywall mud to cover the tape …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — Coincidentally, with its move to a new location, the Lakeland Art Association has received the donation of five paintings from the Stouder family’s local art collection. The art association has been blessed with these paintings, created by long-term member Mary Alice Estep, who passed away in 2009. …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association We sometimes feel a touch of envy and disappointment at how easily the children of celebrities make their way into the limelight while others struggle through a far more difficult path to achieve fame and fortune. Cady Noland is such an offspring. She was born in Washington, D.C., in …read more.

By  Darla McCammon Lakeland Art Association There are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of paintings of the nativity. In some of them, historical evidence and the words of scripture are ignored, such as in the painting by Jan Gossaert de Mabuse titled, “Adoration of the Kings.” In his painting, Mary is sumptuously dressed and in …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Executive Director, Animal Welfare League WARSAW — My second favorite Christmas themed painting I have chosen is “The Census at Bethlehem” by Pieter Bruegel the Elder. This is an oil-on-panel work by Bruegel the Elder that was painted in 1566. This work is now on exhibit at the Royal Museum of Fine Arts …read more.

By  Darla McCammon Lakeland Art Association There are many famous and beautiful works of art with Christmas themes. Over the next few weeks I will share with you some of my personal favorites. So jump in our imaginary sleigh and take a ride with me to visit each of the art works and learn a little about …read more.

WARSAW — A piece of art work appeared on the cover of The New Yorker Magazine Nov. 25, 1950, and is worth considerably more today. At the time Ludwig Bemelmans created the Thanksgiving themed work you see pictured, the entire magazine sold for 20 cents. Today, most of any remaining Bemelmans original illustrations or paintings are worth a minimum of $17,000 to $25,000 each.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — Michele Wood’s work will grace the Grace College Art Gallery now through Dec. 12. This fascinating author/artist has been given many prestigious awards, including Best book of 1998 by Publisher’s Weekly.  In 1997, she also won The American Book Award. Her book, “I Lay My Stitches Down,” won the …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — Too late to be mushrooms, paintings and sculpture popped out to enter the Lakeland Art Association Fall Competition Nov. 1. Winners were announced Sunday, November 8 at a reception held in the gallery. The works were judged by Daniel Malicki, art teacher at Whitko High School.  Excellent work was …read more.

By  DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association Siberia is well known as a vast, cold and lonely place in Russia. In some circles, it is believed it was once connected to Alaska via a land bridge. Siberia is one of the most sparsely populated and rugged regions on earth and yet it takes up almost 10 …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON, Lakeland Art Association Perspective is the rein and rudder of painting,” is a quote attributed to Leonardo da Vinci.  But first we need to know — what is perspective? Perspective is what gives art realism. For instance, when an artist creates a view on a flat surface of a painting which appears …read more.

We have fun occasionally with odd art facts and trivia. Our readers enjoy learning these little known bits about art.

By Darla McCammon Lakeland Art Association We will return to our research on women in art next week, but first you need to know about an exciting new exhibit surfacing at the Warsaw City Hall Art Gallery on the main floor. This artist hails from Chicago, Ill., spends summer weekends here in our area on …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Director, Lakeland Art Association Researching information for each week’s Art in Action column is time consuming but it can also be fascinating. I was looking for our third subject in famous women artists and wanted to focus on an artist that was an American. I could not pass up the artist in …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Director, Lakeland Art Association  PIERCETON — Today, women are admitted into the world of art much more readily than in older times, but the fact is, the number of men who achieve fame and recognition and are exhibited in museums still far exceeds the works of women. There have been some exceptional …read more.

Kim Reiff directs the art program at Grace College. She is currently offering her students a wonderful experience in the history of art by teaching them about famous women artists. She has pointed out that those who study ancient cave drawings have discovered that much of the original art was done by women.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Executive Director, Animal Welfare League Monet’s father was very disappointed in his son’s painting career. He always lamented that Money did not become a grocer. He never recognized his son’s amazing talent and would be stupefied at the value of his son’s work in today’s market. You read a column I wrote …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association PIERCETON — Last month a museum in Copenhagen Denmark experienced the theft of a Rodin (pronounced Row-Dan) sculpture. The bust is called, “The Man With The Broken Nose” (see photo). The thieves brazenly walked through the museum in a dry run about a week before the actual theft, when …read more.

PIERCETON — Watercolor, as an art medium, has always been fascinating to me. Watercolor is also known as aquarelle, a French word that describes this painting method. Watercolor work uses paint that can be thinned with water because the paints are made of pigments that ride in water.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association In the three fields that are of most interest to me I jokingly call myself the three “A” person. This is because I dearly love animals, authoring and art. In the field of art I have had the great privilege of getting to know many talented and creative people. …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON  Lakeland Art Association I shared a photo with my daughter Dee Anna this week. After viewing it, she texted me, “Art does not always take the shape of a canvas-sometimes it can be an exquisite quilting pattern on a quilt or in this case, a garden in Dubai.” She is correct.  One of the …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON, Lakeland Art Association Have you ever taken a sheet of paper and created a paper plane you could float across the room? The art of manipulating paper into unusual shapes has been around almost since paper was first created. Origami, which is the next level of paper cutting, or folding and bending, …read more.

Andrew (Andy) Corp began expressing himself artistically later in life. His original inspiration came from his artistic sister and was spurred on by his wish to leave something memorable for his autistic daughter. His work could almost be considered sculpting in paint and his technique is constantly evolving. His current series is called “Pushing The Darkness Away.”

By Darla McCammon Many of our important government buildings contain murals. A mural can be inside or outside but it is generally a rather large scale painting that covers a wall or the side of a building. Often murals will represent something significant to that community.  Murals on the outside of buildings require extra care in order to …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association Last Saturday, award winning artists from all over the area brought new work into Lakeland Art Association gallery, in an attempt to win even more awards. The spring art show at Lakeland is well known for having large prize money and offering many awards to the best of the …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association Our vivacious Lila O’Connell will be having a 90th birthday party. I have known O’Connell for a number of a years and her enthusiasm and dedication to promoting art has never waned. O’Connell was born July 30, 1925. She has watched her world transform itself from a society with …read more.

By DARLA McCAMMON Lakeland Art Association Are you familiar with the Mason Fruit Jar or the old Ball Canning Jar? I was intrigued to find how both these products had an impact on our art world. In 1880, two very entrepreneurial brothers, Frank and Edmund Ball borrowed $200 from their uncle to purchase the Wooden …read more.

By DARLA McCAMMON Lakeland Art Association Is it spring yet? Yes, I saw a Robin and some Red-Winged blackbirds this week. A beautiful flock of Mergansers landed on our pond yesterday and were gone this morning. Another arbiter of Spring is the annual re-opening of the Lakeland Art Association Gallery. This organization has been working …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association This week we are taking a detour from our normal column. My husband and I left Warsaw in terrible cold and snow recently and grabbed a window of clear weather to head to Florida for a break and some sun. It was a lovely trip to Cape Canaveral but …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association We have a fun little competition going on with the winner receiving a small original work of art. Keep your entries coming. All you need to do is answer the question “How would you define art?” in a sentence or two. It can be serious or tongue-in-cheek or humorous. …read more.

By DARLA McCAMMON Lakeland Art Association We discuss art on a regular basis in this column but do you realize how many different ways it can be defined? Our column focuses primarily on the visual arts and thus we talk about the creation of objects within several disciplines such as painting, 3-D sculpture, printmaking, and …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association Abstract art was not popular when the Great Depression hit this country. Many abstract expressionists found a great opportunity when the government offered jobs and projects between 1935 and 1942. One of those artists went on to become world famous. Jackson Pollock, youngest of five boys, was born in …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association We have been discussing starving artist during the Great Depression. The Federal Art Project had the goal of creating jobs between 1935 and June of 1943, when the stimulus of jobs created by World War II had significantly reduced the need. The FAP used out-of-work artists to provide art …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association Do you remember this past summer the American Gothic sculpture across the street from the Warsaw City Hall and the Kosciusko County Courthouse? The one of the somber farmer, his daughter and the famous pitchfork? The inspiration for that sculpture was taken from a painting by artist Grant Wood …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association Exceptional photography is often included in “the arts.” During the WPA days, a job was offered to one such extraordinary photographer named Berenice Abbott. Abbott, born in 1898 in Springfield Ohio became, much like Ansel Adams, famous for her black and white photography. Adams was known for landscapes and …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association The New Deal was President Roosevelt’s attempt to solve a myriad of problems by offering work to the unemployed from the government through the WPA, and the Federal Art Project. One of the multiple artists hired was Augusta Savage. Born Augusta Christine Fells, this African American Sculptor was from …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association Last week we discussed the Works Progress Administration and how hundreds of artists were hired to create art work. One of the artists employed by the WPA during The Great Depression was Arshile Gorky. The Newark, New Jersey airport was the recipient of a large mural titled Aviation that …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association The Great Depression in this country ran from 1929 to 1943, and was largely helped by the advent of World War II when it put thousands to work providing our great military their many needs. Before the war, however, was a tragic story, with many begging for work, living …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association Nativity sets have inspired many levels of interest. Not only for the religious at Christmas time, but also for antique collectors and those who appreciate art. Sometimes called a “crèche,” the nativity design is open to the imagination of the artist and many take liberties with what may have …read more.