JOSEPH SHEPPARD: An American Portrait
The exhibition by American Master Realist painter and sculptor, Joseph Sheppard continues through February 22, 2004. During the museum’s Holiday Open House, the artist was greeted by over 160 members, guests and interested artists from the community. Sheppard entertained the group by recounting his past fifty years in art, anecdotes about the works on display, and signing many of the books about him and written by him.
Many agreed that this exhibition and visit by the artist is one of the great events in the (nearly) 25-year history of the Midwest Museum of American Art. A 20-minute video presentation is available for visitors during the course of the exhibition. Take the time this winter to visit and browse the museum at your leisure, take in the Sheppard exhibit and watch the video. Great art has the ability to continually renew us all year long.
Mixed Media from the Heart!
“Handmade Valentines: a Family Workshop”
Give a gift from the hear, The Midwest Museum will sponsor its annual family Workshop fo Handmade Valentines to be held on Saturday, February 7, from 1:30pm to 3:30pm. The instructor for this year’s workshop will be the very enthusiastic artist Pat Bovo. Valentines will be created of found objects, collage material and personal memorabilia. One new idea introduced wil be how to make a simple “pop-up” valentine! The workshop is geared for children ages 5 to 12 years of age, to be accompanied by a parent(s), grandparent(s), or an adult friend who will assist the student(s).
Anyone wishing to attend should bring along bits of old lace, ribbon, dried flowers, photographs of family or friends or anything for that personal touch; however, some materials will be provided. The fee for this workshop is $10 per person. Enrollment is limited. Please call the museum at 574-293-6660 to register.
HAPPY NEW YEAR from the Director!
The year 2004 marks the 25th Anniversary of the Midwest Museum of American Art. Things have changed a lot in 25 years. Back in 1979 Chrysler Corporation was asking for a billion dollar bailout, former screen star and Governor of California, Ronald Reagan, announced his bid for the Presidency. History was made when Margaret Thatcher became the first woman mayor, Jane Byrne, with the largest majority vote in that city since 1901.
In the arts “Kramer vs. Kramer” with Dustin Hoffman, won the Academy Award for Best Picture and the musical “Grease” gave its 3,243rd performance and became the longest running musical on Broadway at that time. Favorite songs in 1979 were “52nd Street”, “What a Fool Believes”, and Dionne Warwick’s, “I’ll Never Love That Way Again”. On television the big hit was The Waltons.
The Midwest Museum’s first quarter of a Century provides us with a special opportunity to take stock of our public impact on the cultural scene of Northern Indiana and surrounding areas. From its earliest years the Midwest Museum has grown from a small but energetic museum to one with memberships from 18 states and hosts the largest Juried Regional Art competition in Indiana. We have worked diligently over these 25 years to fulfill our mission to “educate, inspire, and enrich” the public through the presentation of American Art.
We’d like to think that we’ve touched the hearts and minds of many during the last 25 years. What an honor it is to be able to look back-and to the years ahead-at the rewards of starting an American Art museum. It has taken lots of hard work and dedication by our members, benefactors, corporate patrons, volunteers and docents to help us reach this milestone. I still believe that the arts speak directly to the spirit and help to bridge differences and enhance understanding among individuals of all backgrounds and interests. The arts are an essential component of society because of the potential to bring individuals and community together. I think our City of Elkhart has demonstrated its support of the arts with the continued funding of the Genesis Program.
The Staff and Trustees pledge to continue our exciting and thought provoking exhibitions, lectures, tours, classes and free family events, and to safegaurd the artwork we hold in trust for future generations. ~JANE BURNS
The Midwest Museum of American Art gratefully acknowledges gifts in honor or in memory of special friends. Notes of scknowledgement are snet by the Museum to those honored or to the families of those memorialized. Recent memorials and donations to specific funds include:
IN MEMORY OF
Eleanor Borneman by Jeanne Batten, Jane Burns & Christina Smith Graham
Elizabeth S. Holloway by Jane Burns
Linda Dinehart by Jane Burns, Brian & Lisa Byrn, Wendell & Marty Culp, Karolyn Kunz, Jean Vander Reyden, & Mr. & Mrs. Richard Wich
Ruth Replogle by Jane Burns
Margaret Sorg by Mr. & Mrs. Paul Thomas
IN HONOR OF 50th ANNIVERSARY OF Francis & Marie Kennard:
by Jane Burns, Brian & Lisa Byrn, Alice Craven, Wendell & Marty Culp, Mary Miller, Christine Rodino, Sue Terrell, Barbara Thomas & Phyllis Welch
A Special THANK YOU to our CORPORATE SUPPORTERS!
BAKER & DANIELS
BANK ONE
BARNES & THORNBURG
BECK CORPORATION
ELKHART BRASS MFG. CO., INC.
ELKHART COUNTY CONVENTION and VISITORS BUREAU
ELKHART EVENING OPTIMIST CLUB, INC.
GASKA TAPE, INC.
HEART CITY KIWANIS
KAPPA KAPPA KAPPA – ALPHA RHO
KAPPA KAPPA KAPPA – GAMMA
KEY BANK
LAKE CITY BANK
MERIDIAN TITLE
MERRILL LYNCH
NATIONAL CITY BANK
PEARL DESIGN ASSOCIATES
PSI IOTA XI SORORITY
ROLLIE WILLIAMS PAINT SPOT
SEIFERT DRUG STORE, INC.
TAIGMARKS, INC.
BEARDSLEY FOUNDATION
CORSON FAMILY FOUNDATION, INC.
CTS FOUNDATION
ELKHART COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
GENESIS
REX & ALICE A. MARTIN FOUNDATION