As the glitzy Christmas season ebbs, the Crawfordsville Public Library's Art Gallery glows with two exquisite eye candy exhibits you will absolutely not be able to resist seeing. Joyfully dancing from the Gallery's warm welcoming walls are the colorfully created pencil confections created by local artist Tony Jeurissen. In the soft glow emanating from our three display cases, the elegantly embellished creative cross-stitch of Corrine McCann radiates. Enjoy these exhibits anytime during the month of January.
In the Nazi-occupied Netherlands, Tony Jeurissen was born In February of 1943. Tony's father was a civilian casualty of the Netherlands pre D-Day bombings and remained an invalid for the rest of his life. Because of this unfortunate incident, Tony's family was allowed to immigrate to the United States in 1956. The family settled in Urbana, Illinois until 1967 when they moved to Crawfordsville.
While in first grade Tony discovered his favorite subject was art and art has remained with him since. Tony believes his talent came from God, but inspiration came from his mother and early teachers. His formal art training came from high school art classes, art camp, the University of Illinois and a year working as a commercial designer for a sporting goods manufacturer.
The work in his exhibit is a reflection of Tony's interest in History and Historical Preservation. He believes firmly that each artist has a purpose in his or her art. Tony's purpose is to explore and draw objects of beauty found in Montgomery Count. He likes to draw things with historical significance before they pass into oblivion. He enjoys local architecture, the surrounding countryside, colorful seasons, natural and man-made landmarks brick buildings, rusty roofs and colorful skies. His pleasure comes simply from drawing the things he experiences every day. Drawing is definitely Tony's passion as you will see in this exhibit. Come often and stay long enjoying the fruits of Tony's imagination.
Corrine McCann delights in sharing her needlework with the community this month. When asked if she wanted to sell her work, she respectfully declined, saying "I'd rather give it away." Lucky recipients, I'd say!
Corrine learned her craft in the 1980s while living in Kentucky's St. Catherine's Dominican Motherhouse. A sister friend had just returned from Palestine where she taught English at Bethlehem University. One summer afternoon while working with cross-stitch material, Sister Margaret Marie told Corrine about the Palestinian women who gathered in each other's homes to visit and sew. With cross stitch fabric and varied colors of thread, the women began stitching without a pattern. They made tablecloths, napkins, coasters, bookmarks and any other creative venture that came to their minds.
Sister Margaret Marie told Corrine that when a mistake was made in the sewing process, it wouldn't be corrected. The 'mistakes' were symbolic of the shortcomings in their own lives from which they had the opportunity to learn. The consequences of these creative accidents left their mark on the sewer and on the lives of others no matter how small or inconsequential the mistake seemed at the time.
Corrine made two or three cross-stitch pieces with her friend, but too soon her life became more complicated with work and ministry. She set aside her art, poetry and other pursuits until retirement. In 2000, when she did retire she began to sew again. Most of her cross-stitch pieces are accomplished while listening to National Public Radio or books on tape from the Library. It takes about two hours to complete a bookmark and four or five hours to make small table runners. A large piece may take up to twenty hours and takes a great deal of patience. As a retiree living alone in Crawfordsville, Corrine delights in the plethora of time she now has to pursue theological interests and various art forms.
Now that you know a bit more about January's artists, how could you stay away and not experience these beautiful works of art. See you there!
Diane Hammill, Coordinator
Mary Bishop Memorial Art Gallery
Crawfordsville Public Library
205 South Washington St.
Crawfordsville, IN 47933
No comments:
Post a Comment