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.

PIERCETON — The Animal Welfare League, 3489 E. CR 100S, Pierceton, is in need of warm blankets to keep animals warm in the coming cold weather. With severe cold quickly approaching, the AWL sent out a plea on its Facebook page asking viewers to donate large, thick blankets. While most of the facility is heated, the section in …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 — You all love the occasional art trivia columns, so here’s your chance to test your art knowledge. Almost all of these answers have been in prior columns during my nearly 10-year tenure of writing these columns for you, so dredge back in your mind and see how …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 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 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.

WARSAW — More than 230 cats are in need of homes and the Kosciusko County Animal Welfare League is turning to the local community for help. According to AWL Executive Director Darla McCammon, 230 cats recently arrived at the shelter after several local pet hoarding situations were uncovered. The current scene at the shelter is one of …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 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 Executive Director, Animal Welfare League The smoke was so dense it showed up on the weather radar of a TV station miles away in South Bend. Wednesday evening the big barn belonging to Doctor Brungardt of Lakeland Animal Clinic burned down. The barn housed his horses, some other animals, many supplies, plus hay …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 — Our daffodil artist Morrisott was an impressionist. This week’s creator of the lovely tulip was Judith Jans Leyster who, like most Dutch masters, was a realist. You are viewing (photo provided) the only still life created by Leyster who was considered a Dutch Golden Age painter. She …read more.

WARSAW — Lakeland Art Association has moved to a new location and has more than doubled its size. LAA hosted the grand opening of its relocated art gallery Saturday, Feb. 6. The new art gallery is now located at 302 E. Winona Ave., Warsaw. LAA moved from Pierceton back to Warsaw for two reasons. One, …read more.

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 — The painting we are discussing this week is, appropriately titled “The Morning of St. Valentine.” It was painted on Canvas in oil paints and can be seen today at the Walker Art Gallery. The work was done by John Callcott Horsley who is also known for designing …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 Executive Director, Animal Welfare League WARSAW — Lavinia Fontana was born in 1552 in Bologna, Italy, to her mother and father (Prospero Fontana) who was a well-respected painter in the Art School of Bologna. Her father became her teacher, thus her oeuvre (life’s work) was one of the largest in the world …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.

(photo provided) KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — Though many imagine life after retirement to be quiet and work free, for Darla McCammon, life after retirement meant more time for work she was passionate about. McCammon spends the majority of her time working as the Director of the Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko. Utilizing her prior business knowledge …read more.

By DARLA MACCAMMON Executive Director, Animal Welfare League WARSAW — It was a dreary Friday night. We stay open until 6 p.m. on Fridays. One staff member and I were the only two left at our shelter. It was well past closing and I had locked the doors and was heading to my car when a …read more.

WARSAW — The pets of the Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko will be getting a belated Christmas gift. After a recent announcement in July the AWL would soon be relocating a larger, newly renovated facility just across the street from the current location at3489 E. CR 100S, Warsaw, preliminary plans have begun to take shape. …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.

WARSAW — Darla McCammon is a well-traveled, award-winning artist, author and free-lance photojournalist.  Her work has been published in numerous magazines, newspapers, and periodicals.  McCammon authors two weekly newspaper columns and has been the editor of a number of publications.  McCammon collaborated with photographer Al Disbro in 2012 to write a nonfiction book titled Winona …read more.

WARSAW — The Warsaw Rotary Club has announced Darl McCammon as the 2015 winner of the Pete Thorn Award. The Rotary notes McCammon has been instrumental at the Animal Welfare League, where she acts as the director, as well as Walk n’ Wander, an event that showcased statues throughout Warsaw last year. In addition, McCammon …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON, Lakeland Art Association The third Christmas themed painting(s) we are viewing this week isThe Procession of the Magi painted by Renaissance master, Benozzo Gozzoli in 1459. We are looking at only one panel of a large set of frescoes that were installed in the Magi Chapel in the Palazzo Medici Riccardi of Florence …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.

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.

WARSAW — Several hundred attended the Ninth Annual Fur Ball Saturday evening, Sept. 12, to raise funds for the Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County.

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 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.

It isn’t just the sounds of barks and meows pouring forth from the Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County. An exciting announcement about the future of the shelter is resounding from its walls. The shelter, which is located just outside of Warsaw at 3489 E. CR 100S, is looking to expand by entering a new …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON The art world is full of interesting characters and strange facts. Vincent Van Gogh, for instance, was known to be very eccentric, even to the point of cutting off his own ear. Did you know however, he was a patient in a mental hospital in the quaint little town of Saint-Rémy in …read more.

The Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County is partnering with the Warsaw VFW to host the third annual Vets For Pets fundraiser Saturday, June 20. The event will offer something for everyone — including pets. Events will kick off at 2 p.m. at the VFW, located at 1350 W. Center St., Warsaw. Guests are offered …read more.

In the days of famous photographer Ansel Adams the results of his work began the transformation of photography from a simple mechanical and chemical process into a thoughtful creation of art. Adams’ work involved much thought toward the composition, values and general appeal of his creations.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association Rucel Martinez (Rusty) was born in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico and lived there for 18 years before moving to the United States to attend Grace College. He has traveled extensively throughout Mexico and the United States and is preparing for a long internship in Japan for five months this summer. His …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 Sean Gordon Murphy is a comic book artist and novelist. Murphy was born in New Hampshire in 1980 in the town of Nashua. Even in grade school he showed an interest and talent in drawing comic book characters. He served an apprenticeship under cartoonist Leslie Swank, then furthered his …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association It is amazing how one thing leads to another sometimes. In researching the Ball State Art Museum and learning about the Ball family, I discovered that a rather famous Indiana artist attended Ball State. I will give you a few clues as we go along to see if you …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 This week, we have an Art Quiz. I went back to some of my earliest columns and dug out some questions for you. Let’s see how good our memories are. 1. Unrealistic art work is also broadly defined as “abstract.” True or False? 2. Contemporary art work in general …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association This week we will continue with our discussion about how art can be a part of your investment portfolio and may often provide some generous returns. Tip 6 Be persistent. Thoroughly investigate art in the fund you are considering. For example, some new millennial artists like Parker Ito, or …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association Ann Peperak will be the featured artist at the Warsaw City Hall Art Gallery Foyer for the next 2 1/2 months. Her work will be on display daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This gallery is open to the public and free. Peperak recently won …read more.

[weaver_youtube mI-xK8qA6B8 rel=0]   The eighth annual Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County Fur Ball not only featured the Warsminster Dog Show, but also provided an update on the capital campaign to build a new shelter – remodeling and rebuilding on its existing site at 3489 East CR 100S, Pierceton Darla McCammon, executive director, stated …read more.

Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County is outgrowing its building and is looking to build a new facility. It recently kicked off a capital campaign to raise funds for a new building. “The Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County has suffered with a deteriorating facility long enough,” said Darla McCammon, AWL executive director. “For the …read more.