Published: February 22, 2006 04:55 pm            

An update on the Hendricks County Arts Council

— Lessons in leadership —

It began as a team study project for Leadership Hendricks County’s 2004 class. Susan Miller Carter and Gary Hood were just two of the people involved in that class and now the Hendricks County Arts Council has officers, a board of directors, and at least 25 members serving on various committees.

Their purpose is to promote the arts and artists in Hendricks County. The planning committee is creating a database of artists, their media, and whether they teach and provide workshops. Other groups are developing promotional materials, budgets and projects. They also will be looking for venues that spotlight local artists, such as libraries, banks, parks, and schools.

One artist-member is Jerry Botzum. The Lilly retiree now has work on display at Hoosier Salon at the Indiana State Museum and a juried show in Youngstown, Ohio. Last year he painted in Italy and this fall will be in France with a group of five other artists. Recently he did a plein air painting at Indianapolis Garfield Park. Jerry paints mainly in oils but also does watercolors and pastels. As a docent at Indianapolis Museum of Art and a teacher at OASIS, art is something he loves to do and loves to share. Jerry, who lives in Avon, has a tolerant wife and four grown children (with one now competing against him in shows). Another child is just emerging as an artist.

Another artist-member is Brownsburg’s Lynne Medsker. She says she paints for pleasure because it makes her feel alive. She recalls memories of curling up in a chair and being lost for hours with only her paper and pencil. A photography lover, she has explored painting in both watercolor and acrylic and has now blossomed into welded art pieces with her husband. At her portrait studio, she tries to channel all the visual images and ideas whirling around. She entered her photography at this year’s Indiana State Fair. Recently she was pleased to receive an Indiana Arts Commission grant. With her newly purchased laptop computer she is able to give demonstrations to clubs and groups.

These are just two of the creative professionals that are now part of this exciting new undertaking and are willing to share with others in Hendricks County. To find out more, please contact the Hendricks County Arts Council at hc.artscouncil@sbcglobal.net. They are always looking for more people to share their vision and offer their support. Let them know you value their commitment to our community!

— Nancy Ahrbecker serves on the Leadership Hendricks County board of directors. To learn more, visit the website at www.lhcinc.org.

        

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