Art In Action: We Interrupt This Program
By DARLA MCCAMMON
Lakeland Arts Association
WARSAW — We will return to our Pets by Famous Artists series next week. Thank you all for the compliments and enjoyment of this series!
This interruption; however, is a delightful one, because it will give you an opportunity to visit an exhibit by Andrew Tomasik. Tomasik is an Indiana native and we should be very proud of him. He graduated from the Honors College at Ball State with a BS in Art Education, and going further, he specialized in ceramic sculpture to earn a Masters degree at Ball State University. Tomasik is well-known for his creative endeavors, but he also has combined his love of art with a love of teaching, and as the Art Department Coordinator at Warsaw High School, he also shares his knowledge as an adjunct instructor at IUSB as well as IPFW.
I have served with Tomasik on several art-associated committees and art associations and most recently we have joined forces on the Wagon Wheel Center for The Arts Committee with Julie Parke, the Development Director. Tomasik was quickly our pick for an exhibit because he has won many awards and his work is revered and loved by those who have had an opportunity to meet him and view his wonderful creations. His studio is in Leesburg where he resides as he continues his multi-faceted career, teaching and working collaboratively with other artists.
We are fortunate the Wagon Wheel Theater, under the direction of Parke, has begun this series of art exhibitions for our enjoyment. The Lobby Gallery is open during regular box office hours, except during a performance of course; thus you are free to walk right in and enjoy this exhibit which is very unusual for those who love the work of Tomasik. He talks about his departure from his ceramic-only pieces to those in this exhibit in which we has added stone and interesting materials not normally combined with his ceramic work.
According to Tomasik, “My work is constantly changing, and I always try to embrace new challenges and materials as emerging thoughts develop.” He goes on to say, “I want each viewer to approach and interpret the sculptures in a unique way, leading them to examine their own feelings about the universe around them, and their physical connection to inescapable natural functions.”
The exhibit is enhanced by the generous loan of special exhibit cases and creative lighting. Grace College and the Winona History Center were the beneficent donors of the cases. Keep an eye on this newspaper for information on the “artist talk” scheduled for this spring. The artist talks this committee has brainstormed into existence have been extremely popular and the public is invited to attend at no cost. It is well worth your time.
Next week: We will return to our fascination with pets and the famous artists who painted them..
Upcoming and Current Events:
- Warsaw City Hall Art Gallery Grace College Student work on display. Open 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- Wagon Wheel Lobby Gallery, Andrew Tomasik exhibit. Open any time the lobby is open except during performances. Ticket holders to performances will be able to visit the gallery as well for free.
For more information on topics in this column, please contact Darla McCammon at [email protected] or (574) 527-4044. Web site: www.darlamc.com Some older columns are available on this site along with information about Art and Author work.