Lose Yourself In Art

The Mary Bishop Memorial Gallery at the Crawfordsville District Public Library would like to invite the community to gaze upon The Art League of Montgomery County’s Annual Art Show.

The Art League’s show will be available for public viewing now through mid-September during CDPL’s normal hours of operation. Several artworks are for sale (cash only) during the exhibition through the circulation department.

This year’s exhibit has more than one hundred works of art created by Art League members. Visitors can reflect on traditional oil paintings and complex textiles. You can see the story of an adventurous traveler or lose yourself in the glamorous sparkle of jewelry. There is a variety of mediums and sizes, and there is something for every type of art connoisseur.

Several pieces are available for purchase. Art makes a fantastic gift because it can bring joy to someone’s life in the best and worst of times while supporting local hardworking artists that possibly live in your neighbor.

The permanent art collection of The Art League also is on display at the library among CDPL’s permanent collection. Artworks by local ALMC artists, past and present, can be viewed primarily on the second floor. This collection includes the Bicentennial Quilt which hangs on the first floor. The quilt has 42 hand-stitched squares based on our community’s history and our colorful lore. It was gifted to the community by The Art League in 1976. The ALMC members have dedicated their lives to the arts and educational freedom for generations.

Be sure to visit the gallery to see these fantastic artworks during the annual Art Walk, sponsored by The Art League of Montgomery County in partnership with local businesses and organizations. The Art Walk encourages participants to view art in local business windows along Washington, Main, Green and Market streets as well as at the Carnegie Museum, CDPL, Green Street Gallery, The Created by Artisan Gallery and more. Brochures and maps will be available Sept. 13-14 in all locations that have art. Red balloons will mark the locations during the event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 14. Learn more about this event on Facebook by checking out @CrawfordsvilleArtWalk.

The Art League has had an active presence in this community for more than a century. The organization was founded in 1896 by a group of women with an interest in art history, needlework and socialization. The founding premise of beautifying the community through benevolence and stewardship has remained constant. The Art League’s activities and focus have varied over the years to reflect this community’s local talents and available resources. The ALMC continues to work with local organizations to ensure that the arts remain a vital part of our traditions.

“The Art League of Montgomery County is open to anyone in our community who appreciates and enjoys art,” said Art League president Kathy Steele. “You do not need to be an artist.”

If you want to become a member or are interested in supporting local ALMC projects, send your name and contact information to The Art League of Montgomery County, P.O. Box 2, Crawfordsville, IN 47933, or pick up a membership brochure at the library. You will be contacted by a representative once the membership committee or executive board receives your information.

For more information about upcoming events at CDPL, visit online at https://crawfordsvillelibrary.in.gov/.

If you are an artist or a member of an artists’ group and are interested in displaying your work at the Mary Bishop Memorial Gallery in 2025 or 2026, contact the gallery coordinator at 765-362-2242 for more details.