Thanks to everyone who attended the Lucas County Historical Society's annual membership meeting last evening --- and to everyone who worked hard to make it a success.
One of the highlights of the evening was the presentation to the society by artist Susan Baer (right) of her watercolor of the society's A.J. Stephens House with flower garden in the foreground in honor of our chief gardener, Kay Brown (left). Kay, both gardener and artist, has devoted countless hours of planning and labor to development of the museum gardens --- and we're so grateful to Susan for sharing this tribute to her with us.
Sue began the painting last summer during the historical society's first Art at the Museum event, held in conjunction with the Lucas County Arts Council, so we've been witness to the creative process from beginning to end. The painting will be on display initially in the main Lewis Building gallery, then will be installed permanently in the A.J. Stephens House. Art at the Museum is scheduled this year for June 22.
Our speaker for the evening was Robert D. Peterson of Cedar Rapids, artist, art historian and author, whose informative (and entertaining) presentation had a dual focus --- first, the murals created in 39 Iowa cities during the 1930s and early 1940s under the auspices of the New Deal Federal Art Project; then, the Prairie School architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright, Walter Burley Griffin and others in his hometown --- Mason City.
The New Deal Art part of the program had one immediate effect. A friend, previously unaware that one of these wonderful murals is located in the Corydon Post Office, plans to stop in there today to take a look. A reproduction of the mural as well as the original fire truck featured in it also may be seen at Prairie Trails Museum in Corydon.
The painting to Peterson's right in this photo is by Chariton artist Terry Sue Cox. Several Lucas County artists shared examples of their work on the walls of the C.B.&Q. Freight House during Tuesday evening's meeting.
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