Wassenberg Art Center news 3/4/15

By Hope Wallace

March is going to be a quiet month exhibit-wise and the portion of the gallery that houses the temporary exhibits is an expanse of white walls. However we still have the Faces of Little Bighorn exhibit on the remaining side, thanks to the generosity of former Van Wert residents, the Brent & Vicki Stevens family. Faces of Little Bighorn houses the work of David Humphreys Miller, a Van Wert native who became a well-known historian, artist, author and western film authority, who became an expert on the Little Bighorn battle through face-to-face interviews with Indian survivors who were involved in the fight.

We recently scanned an original field sketchbook of David’s and have created a slide-show of the images which are viewable on-screen. You can also access our Faces of Little Bighorn website via a laptop housed within the exhibition or from your home computer. Davidhumphreysmiller.org is designed as an interactive and research data-base which viewers can submit additional information and photos of survivors of the Battle of Little Bighorn. There is also an extensive reading list including the two books written by David and where they can be purchased. Videos about the battle and the current situation of Native American plight today can also be viewed. “Dreams Along the Little Bighorn” features an interview with David Humphreys Miller about his work with the survivors.

The Wassenberg Art Center is one of a couple places in the country you can view his work. The other, where David painted murals is the Citadel Academy in North Carolina. Prints of the 72 survivors of the battle that David painted are on display at the famous Crazy Horse Memorial in the main gallery overlooking the monument. His work is also featured on their website and can be viewed here: http://crazyhorsememorial.org/6455/david-humphreys-miller-collection/. If you haven’t seen the exhibit, stop in and learn about the individual from who questioned the norm and went for and succeeded in his dream. It happens!

Our next upcoming exhibit is our Annual High School Invitational, which will open on April 26 with an opening reception from 1- 5 p.m. and be on view through May 15. Calls of entry are in the hands of students’ art teachers and we can’t wait to see the new round of fresh ideas.

A morning drawing class will be held on Fridays, beginning on March 6, 13, 20 and 27from 10 a.m. until noon. Instructor Pat Rayman will demonstrate new ways to improve drawing skill to produce more dramatic results. Materials needed are: a sketchbook or drawing paper, drawing pencils, HB and 2B a black pen (fine or medium point) and colored pencils.

Our next Vine & Palette session will be on Tuesday, April 7 from 6:30–9 p.m. The event includes all painting materials and first glass of wine. Participants may bring a snack to share if they wish. We even provide aprons, because we like to get messy! The cost is $30 for members and $35 for non-members. (21 and over)

Need a great party idea? Vine & Palettes can be designed for private and corporate parties and a Snack/Pizza & Palette version is available for young people. Give us a call to find out more.

Our ongoing watercolor class continues on Tuesday mornings starting at 10 a.m. and the instructor is Pat Rayman. Persons are encouraged to jump in anytime and the class is sold in monthly increments. $35 for members and $40 for non-members.

Sign up soon. Classes are kept small for more in-depth attention.

For more information on exhibits or to sign for classes and events visit wassenbergartcenter.org. The Wassenberg Art Center is located at 214 S. Washington St. (former Van Wert Armory). We can also be reached by telephone at: 419.238.6837, email: info@wassenbergartcenter.org and our website is: wassenbergartcenter.org.