The Crawfordsville District Public Library invites our patrons to celebrate the arts during American Artist Appreciation Month and to take a moment to learn how art has transformed our daily lives.
American artists have no obligations to any group and are free to reflect on personal experiences, hot topics, and imaginary ideas in any medium they choose. Over decades they have pushed for freedom of expression in the arts, and this movement has inspired others worldwide to share their views even in the most dangerous situations. These artists were empowered to encourage change because they had public support in the United States.
There are many ways you can support the arts in your community. The first step is finding the art forms that interest you and learning more about the subject. Historically, the arts included traditional methods such as painting, drawing, sculpture, architecture, literature, cinema, theatre, dance, and music. In today’s world, those boundaries have been removed because artistic freedom has encouraged artists to share new ideas through a variety of contemporary means.
If you are unsure where to start, consider a historic period important to you. Jed Perl’s “Art in America 1945-1970” (709.73 Art) is a collection of writings by well-known artists during a time of major transformation in American art. “Celebrating 200 Years of Indiana Art” (709.1 Cel) provides a 200-year history of Hoosier artists whose artworks are in the permanent collection at the University Art Gallery on the Indiana State University campus. “The Plains Indians: Artists of Earth and Sky” (970.67 Tor) by Gaylor Torrence displays the rich visual history and aesthetic traditions of Indigenous peoples from the 16th to 20th centuries.
Inspiration can be found in everyday objects, such as the clothes we wear. “Off the Wall: American Art to Wear” (746.92 Off) provides full-color images and explores the space where art and fashion collide. Update your fashion knowledge by spending time with the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s textile collection. If you consider yourself a fashionista, “100 Dresses: The Costume Institute” (391.2 One) highlights high-end designer dresses beginning in the late 17th century; you should also consider “High Style: Masterworks from the Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection” (391.007 Hig) which presents a well-organized history of glamourous trends in fashion.
Looking for the lesser-known behind-the-scenes stories? In “The Dream Colony: A Life in Art” (921 Hopps, W.) you will read about the interesting life of a famous curator, Walter Hopps, a man who founded his first gallery in L.A. at the age of 21. Heidi Ardizzone‘s “An Illustrated Life: Belle da Costa Greene’s Journey from Prejudice to Privilege” (921 Greene, B.) takes you on a journey with a young woman who became the curator of the J.P. Morgan collection of rare books and manuscripts.
CDPL has an extensive collection of art-themed media for every type of creative interest, a permanent collection of local and regional artworks on display throughout the building, creative programs for all ages, and a gallery space highlighting local, regional, national, and international artists.
Stop by the Information Desk on the second floor for assistance with finding these books or others. Don’t forget to browse our NEW Non-Fiction collection for informational and instructional books about the arts. If you are interested in searching our catalog in advance, signing up for an upcoming program, or learning how to obtain a library card, visit our website at www.cdpl.lib.in.us, or call 765-362-2242. CDPL is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m Friday-Saturday; and 1-5 p.m. Sunday.
Toni Ridgway-Woodall is a library assistant in the Reference and Local History department at the Crawfordsville District Public Library.
