Pictured is William Catling leading a sculpting workshop.

By Darla McCammon

Having a college in our community has many benefits, not only economically but culturally. Grace College recently hosted an artist, William Catling, from Riverside, Calif., who offered a stimulating seminar to students, faculty and the public. This was a hands-on workshop that produced some clever workmanship as guided by Catling. Catling will also have his work available for viewing at Mount Memorial gallery on Grace College campus through Oct. 6. The gallery is free and open from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays.

Catling brings “Effigies of the Fragile” to our attention with his bronze-cast figures and drawings that are inspired by the natural world around us. His artwork has national and international exposure and collectors in both private and permanent galleries and museums hold his work for future generations to enjoy. The artist has a Master of Fine Arts degree in sculpture from both Cal State in Fullerton and San Francisco State University. He retains a position as the department chair and art professor at Azusa Pacific University in California.

Kim Reiff, chair of the Visual, Performing, and Media Arts Department at Grace College was very happy about this exhibit.

“It is a privilege to have Bill Catling as a visiting artist at Grace,” said Reiff. “His artwork speaks eloquently of life and compels the viewer to find meaning through their own lived experience.”

Reiff is also the assistant dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at Grace College.

“The workshop was very relaxing and enjoyable,” said Dee Anna Muraski, attendee. “It was a group project building on the ideas of others to incorporate into the design.”

“I am inspired by the natural world of tree branches, rock and earthen formations,” said Catling, describing his work. “I use natural materials to reinforce a connection to the earth as a source of life and a place of human interaction, as well as the inference of flight which transcends the earth and the limitations of the body.”

Upcoming and Current Events

Please contact Darla McCammon at (574) 527-4044 or [email protected] if you have an event to mention.

• From October through December, photography by Florida artist Darlene Romano will be on display at the Warsaw City Hall Gallery.
• The photography competition and exhibit is open at Clark Gallery in the Honeywell Center, Wabash.