Bill Shewman’s artwork is to be featured at the Lakeland Art Gallery, 302 E. Winona Ave., Warsaw, beginning on Feb. 3. Shewman does a variety of artwork, with this piece among it. Photo provided.

By Darla McCammon

Lakeland Art Association is holding an exhibit you will want to visit.

Unique work and unusual media by Bill Shewman will be available for your viewing pleasure beginning on Feb. 3 at the Lakeland Art Gallery located at 302 E. Winona Avenue, Warsaw. Hours for the gallery are Wednesdays through Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Masks are needed for entry until COVID-19 restrictions are relaxed.

Shewman studied at Indiana University in the 1960s and has been employed as a working artist for the past 30 years. He does a wide variety of creative work. Included in his inventory are murals, paintings, illustration and very interesting relief prints that are two-dimensional.

Shewman considers these projects as unique disciplines and enjoys the variety of working, and being successful, in each. Perhaps most interesting are the hand-colored, line-cut prints he creates.

These reliefs are created by first drawing a reverse image on a linoleum block. Using special knives and tools, the block is carved away, leaving the negative spaces for the final design. Ink is then applied to the block, and next it is pressed into high quality paper that results in a crisply delineated print that must dry to prevent blurs or smears. Once the print is sufficiently dry and ready, it is hand colored, burnished and sprayed to keep it colorfast and smudge-resistant.

One of Shewman’s works was entered in Heartland Artists’ gallery annual fall exhibit recently. It was titled “Red” and won a merit award.

Admission to the Lakeland Art Gallery and to the reception to be held on Sunday, Feb. 7, from 2 to 4 p.m. will be, as always, free. The reception is an excellent time to meet the exhibiting artist in person. You are also welcome to inquire about his techniques or motives and the inspiration behind his beautiful work.

Lakeland Art Association welcomes new members, and you do not have to be an artist to have an appreciation of art to join as a supporting member. It is an excellent way to meet other art lovers and enjoy learning new things about art at the same time. You can also request information about classes that are regularly offered for both beginning artists as well as those who desire more advanced training.

Lakeland also sponsors several events each year that give artists an opportunity to show their work and compete for prizes. Another advantage to Lakeland Art Association membership is the opportunity to place your work for sale in the gallery at a very reasonable commission. Lakeland Art Association also provides a great service to the community by offering evening programs, usually once per month.

These programs may be demonstrations by experienced artists, slideshow presentations about various famous artists or special techniques. All are interesting and free to attend. You are free to check out upcoming events and programs and more on the website lakelandartassociation.org.

Most of you know that I also schedule all the art exhibits that occur at the beautiful Warsaw City Hall Art Gallery. If you would like to be considered as one of the exhibiting artists, please drop me a note at [email protected] with a bit of a biography and your contact information.

Currently the Warsaw City Hall Art Gallery is closed until the COVID-19 risk is reduced and the facility is open according to state recommendations. Meantime, you are welcome to enjoy Al Disbro’s photography artwork on the Warsaw City Hall website!