Artist Michele Wood speaks to students in Fort Wayne. Some of her work will be on display at Grace College this fall. (Photo provided)

By DARLA MCCAMMON
Lakeland Art Association

WARSAW — Michele Wood’s work will grace the Grace College Art Gallery now through Dec. 12. This fascinating author/artist has been given many prestigious awards, including Best book of 1998 by Publisher’s Weekly.  In 1997, she also won The American Book Award. Her book, “I Lay My Stitches Down,” won the 2013 Gold Nautilus award. More than 30 similar awards are listed on her website.

Wood’s 2001 book, titled, “Christmas Soul,” is an excellent work she compiled by researching and writing Christmas stories given her by African-American celebrities. The famous donors to her book are from the world of music, cinema, dance and sports.

Nostalgic Christmas memories make up most of the stories. Some of those celebrities were Debbie Allen, Mary Blige, Kobe Bryant, Whitney Houston and Denzel Washington. In this collection, Michele Wood created an oil painting to coordinate with and exemplify each contribution to the work.

Wood, according to her website biography, offers “stunning creations filled with bold color, fabulous designs and plenty of beautiful and very happy faces of children during the holidays.” It is planned to donate the proceeds from this body of work to The United Negro College Fund. Wood resides in Indianapolis. Her career has spanned nearly 30 years of work.

Located at the corner of King’s Highway and Wooster Road, The Grace College Mount Memorial Art Gallery hours are as follows: 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 1-4 p.m. Saturday. Additional information can be acquired by email at [email protected].

Upcoming and Current Events:

• The John Streeter exhibit of his absorbing and amazing pastels is open through Thursday, Dec. 3, at Warsaw City Hall. Visit this gallery from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. Main floor.
• Lakeland Art Gallery Fall Exhibit, on display 11:30 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, closing Dec. 1.
• Michele Wood exhibit at Grace College Mount Memorial Art Gallery through Dec. 12.

LAA is located at 107 N. First St., Pierceton, or online. LAA is also on Facebook. Contact author/artist Darla McCammon at [email protected], via her website or on Facebook.