By DARLA McCAMMON
Executive Director, Animal Welfare League

We have fun occasionally with odd art facts and trivia. Our readers enjoy learning these little known bits about art.

James Franco started a project in 2011 and called it “The Museum of Non-Visible Art.”  He actually sold a woman a non-visible piece called “Fresh Air.” She paid $10,000 for this piece and we are all reminded of the story about The Emperor has no clothes. Frauds will always be among us and it is wise to double check before making large purchases.

Did you know that in countries that rank the highest for math and science for their children, art programs are mandatory? You tell me if there is a correlation.

Most people don’t know or remember that Adolf Hitler tried his hand at painting. When he lived in Vienna as a youth many of his works were sold to a glazier’s business, who in turn sold them to the public. It turns out that many of his customers were Jewish. 

Most people do not know that Leonardo DaVinci spent 12 years to paint the lips of the Mona Lisa.

Did you know that the prisoners at Rikers Island in New York had the privilege of viewing a painting donated by Salvador Dali for their dining room? The painting hung there in full view for 15 years but was then moved to the prison lobby, supposedly for “safekeeping.” But it wasn’t a prisoner who absconded with the valuable piece of art; it was three prison guards in collusion with the warden who stole the painting.

Do you remember the “Joy of Painting” artist, soft-spoken Bob Ross who entertained us all with his televised oil painting workshops? Did you know that he was in the U.S. Airforce for twenty years as a Master Sargent? Part of his job in the military was to be a mean and tough guy who screamed at you for any little misdemeanor or flaw. He got tired of screaming and three years after leaving the service he started his beloved “Joy of Painting” series on TV. He never screamed once on any program.

Pierre Brassau was allowed to exhibit paintings under a project developed by a Swedish journalist. The journalist wanted to test both the buyers of art and art critics to determine how they chose winning work. The art critics and buyers claimed they could tell true avant-garde modern art work. Fact is, they all chose work done by a Chimpanzee the journalist had named Pierre Brassau. Now, knowing this about the Chimp, did you also know that Pablo Picasso loved animals. He had a pet monkey, a goat, a turtle, an owl and many dogs and cats. It is up to you what you do with this knowledge.

Upcoming and Current Events:

• The John Streeter exhibit of his absorbing and amazing pastels is open at Warsaw City Hall. You can visit this gallery from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily on the main floor.
• Honeywell photography competition in Wabash opened Oct. 1.
• A.J. Ellsworth exhibit is open at LAA through Nov. 1.
• A.J. Ellsworth presents program on printmaking at 7 p.m. Oct. 26. 
• Nov. 1 Fall Member Show entries. Contact LAA for information.
• LAA is located at 107 N. First St., Pierceton 46562 or www.lakelandartassociation.org.
• Also on Facebook. Contact your author/artist Darla McCammon at [email protected].