Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Genealogy Club of Montgomery County

The Genealogy Club of Montgomery County, IN Corp program will be held at 7:00 pm, November 10th, 2009

Immigrant Ancestors

(Round table stories by those attending)

Limit individual talks for 5 minutes.

Also the club organizational meeting for the 2009-2010 year will be at that time.

Crawfordsville District Public Library in the basement in the Donnelley Room.

Public Invited! Call: (765) 362-2242 Ext 4 for more information.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Paint In with Mike Bowman

You are invited to come to a very informal "paint-in" with Michael Bowman. You can come to just
watch artists paint, you can bring your own materials (any genre) and paint, or you can come to just ask questions. Mike will be here to help you get started or help in any other way he can.

For: Ages 10 to 100
(younger if interested)
When: Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Where: Crawfordsville District Public Library
(Children's Program Room)

No registration required -- just come, relax, and have a good time painting.

Friday, October 09, 2009

Mr. and Mrs. Steve Crane's Visit to Crawfordsville


Sixty-six years ago, on Tuesday, October 12th, 1943, the citizens of Crawfordsville were thrilled to learn that glamourous movie star Lana Turner was in town. Lana Turner visited with her husband, Crawfordsville native Stephen (Joe) Crane and stayed in the Crane family house at 205 West Pike Street (the house no longer exists) from October 12th through the 15th. Crane was anxious for his famous bride to meet his mother,visit Wabash's Sigma Chi house, and see his father's cigar store.

Stephen Crane was born and lived in Crawfordsville until he moved to Hollywood in 1939. Known as Joe to locals, Crane attended Crawfordsville High School and was a 1937 graduate of Wabash College. Crane's father, William, owned Stephenson & Crane's Cigar Store at 107 South Washington Street and, along with his wife Katheryn, was well-liked in the community.

Although Stephen Crane and Lana Turner's marriage ended in August 1944, both continued to make successful careers in Hollywood. Turner went on to star in classic films such as The Postman Always Rings Twice, The Bad and the Beautiful, and Imitation of Life. Although Crane made an attempt at an acting career, he found lasting success as a famous restaurateur (of the Luau in Beverly Hills, Kon-Tiki chains, and Ports O'Call restaurants) and president of Stephen Crane Associates. Stephen Crane passed away on February 6, 1985, one day before his 69th birthday and was buried in Crawfordsville. Lana Turner remained in the public eye for most of her life and died on June 29, 1995 at the age of 74.

CDPL is interested in talking to locals who knew the Cranes or have information or personal remembrances regarding Lana Turner and Steve Crane's visit. If you would like to share information, please contact 765-362-2242 ext. 117 or email us at ref@cdpl.lib.in.us.

Thursday, October 01, 2009

A GOLDEN MOMENT: October CDPL Gallery

In the gallery: A Golden Moment
Paintings & Sculpture by Jeffrey Klinker;
Rings & Things by Melinda Risk and Vessels by Nicole Paraskevas

Jeffrey Joseph Klinker, a life-long artist, didn't discover painting on location until seven years ago. His first experience painting outdoors was in 1998 at the T. C. Steele State Historic Site (the annual Great Outdoor Art Contest). At this, his first contest, Jeff received a merit award and other artists encouraged him to enter the Hoosier Salon. As a first-time exhibitor in the Hoosier Salon in 2000, he received an award for the best piece for a first time exhibitor and described this honor as a great "shot in the arm". Jeff's artistic talent was first discovered in kindergarten when the school called Jeff's mother asking her to come witness what her son had just done. He had drawn a life-sized rendition of a cowboy complete with wrinkles, rhinestones, and holsters. To this day, Jeff still loves western things. Jeff continued to amaze his teachers throughout his school years. Despite family expectations that he work on the family farm, Jeff discovered oil painting while in high school and felt a need to pursue his passion. One of his teachers, Steve Swagerle recognized Jeff's talent and arranged to tutor him during study hall periods where Jeff learned techniques like going from thin to thick, and dark to light. Later, Jeff took art courses at Purdue University and later enrolled at Herron Art School. Currently Jeff is a Master welder for the Eli Lilly Laboratory in Tippecanoe County. At Lily, Jeff has been encouraged to pursue his art, with a company artist club and fund-raising art projects. With his more flexible work schedule, he is able to attend most of the IPAPA weekend paint outs, and produce the required paintings for the Painting Indiana: the Changing Face of Agriculture project and is able to paint on his own. Jeff's believes his painting talent is a God-given gift and that painting from nature is a passion that fuels his artistic journey. He tells us that he wants to create work that people can look at and really appreciate. When he paints outdoors, he tries to capture the essence of being there -- not so much the representation of what it is, but the feeling of being there".

Melinda Risk attended Kent State University where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in jewelry/metals with a minor in graphic design. From there she moved around the country working for other jewelers while maintaining her own business. Working in her studio, she used metal techniques such as granulation, raising, forging, enameling and fusing. She has been designing and creating jewelry for more than twenty years and her work has been sold in galleries all over the country. Her ideas come from nature and her life experiences. Her work is very personal to her and the pieces she sells become very personal to their owner. From design to finished creation, each piece is designed and created solely by Melinda. This means that all of her work is virtually one of a kind. She has different collections, from more traditional jewelry to unique pieces of art. She enjoys creating them all. She asks that we enjoy looking at her work and seeing the inside of her mind!

Nicole Paraskevas is intrigued and mesmerized by the color, energy and infinite designs in nature. The act of creating beauty has been her inspiration since she was very young. She graduated from Purdue University with a degree in History of Ancient Civilizations and furthered her study with the arts in Greece, Turkey and Egypt in Study Abroad Programs. As a scholarship recipient, she studied at Triton College where she focused on drawing, painting and ceramics. Her vessels are a culmination of memories and dreams. The ideas of infinity and barakka* (An ancient concept of a blessing of the creator, transmitted through a one of a kind artistic creation) flow through these one of a kind pieces. Entwined throughout are many hidden codes and images. There are many stages to the process and as the vessel begins to reveal itself over many weeks of work, it takes on a life of its own that seems to guide her on to the finished work of art. The act of creating each work is her joy, passion, and purpose. These one of a kind pieces are made with delicate hand made papers and hand painted 18kt gold leaf. With proper care, these pieces may be enjoyed for years. As an artist, Nicole's only hope is that you enjoy the beauty of these unique art pieces as much as she has enjoyed creating them.

So now you have a glimpse of the amazing work of these three artists. Simply enjoy again and again.