Pieces by 9 artists featured in voting that begins Jan. 4
The Logan County Art League is enthusiastically preparing for the sixth year of its popular fundraiser — Not So Bad Art By Good People — that features works of art created by local celebrities and encourages the community to pick their favorite pieces during public voting, culminating with an art auction at the end of January.
The 2023 contest features a new line up of nine celebrity artists competing to receive the most votes from the public. Their works of art will be on display from Jan. 4 through 27 at Citizens Federal Savings & Loan, 100 N. Main St., Bellefontaine.
These participants have been working diligently on their pieces this fall, some with the help of experienced mentor artists from the Logan County Art League.
“This is one of our favorite times of the year, when we get to see the creativity of the celebrity artists, and some who might discover even for the first time how much they enjoy creating art. It’s fun to see the variety of pieces when we set up the display, “ Art League Vice President Karen Feltham said.
“The fundraiser been a wonderful opportunity to interact with our community and get them involved in the Art League, too.”
This year’s artists are Tammy Allison of Mary Rutan Health; Justin Cluck, pastor of Bellefontaine First Family; Paige Dukowitz, art educator at Indian Lake High School; Erin Miller, principal, Indian Lake Middle School; Pam Fischer, Fisch Designs at The Depot; Elaine Fagan Moore, The Depot; Christina Tillman, Holland Theatre; Cindy Plank, Nest 1896; and Ben Vollrath, Logan County Chamber of Commerce.
Beginning Jan. 4, the completed works of art will be available for public voting from Monday through Saturday during the bank lobby hours at Citizens Federal Savings and Loan.
Everyone in the community, friends, and family are invited to view the art and vote for their favorites. Voting is $1 per vote, and there are no restrictions on the number of times a person can vote.
In addition, voting will be available online at the Art League’s website, https://logancountyartleague.org/.
The winner of the community vote will be announced at a celebration event and dinner, slated for Jan. 27 at the Bellefontaine VFW, 216 Orchard Ave. All of the works of art are auctioned off after the celebration, with proceeds supporting the activities of the Logan County Art League.
Anyone in the community is invited to attend the celebration dinner; tickets are required for food and drinks being served from 5 to 6 p.m. A reservation form is available by sending an e-mail request to art.
The public is also invited to attend the auction that begins at 7 p.m. and participate free of charge.
A number of community companies have donated to support Not So Bad Art By Good People. At this point, sponsors include Alan Galvez Insurance, Cracked Pot Studio and Mary Rutan Health.
To encourage all residents of the community to create, the Art League continues to host free Open Studios at The Art Center at The Holland each Wednesday beginning in January from 1 to 3 p.m., where anyone can take their own art supplies and create their artwork in the company of other artists.
Editor’s note: Tammy Allison, Mary Rutan Health vice president of Community Health, and COO of the Mary Rutan Foundation and Logan County Cancer Society, related that her painting in acrylics was created in honor of her mother, who passed away in 2011. She said it was her first time to sketch and paint.
“I did enjoy it and found it somewhat therapeutic. I do plan to paint more when it is just for myself and my own relaxation and mental health.”
Always With You
By Tammy Allison
I have always enjoyed seeing and watching butterflies. There is just something beautiful and calming about them as you watch them glide through the air from plant to plant and location to location.
For several years my family observed the effects of Lewy body dementia and the drastic decline of my mother’s health. She could no longer do the simplest of tasks. She relived traumatic experiences she had throughout her life. For many months she no longer knew us. We were never given an opportunity to say Goodbye.
My mother passed away. Although I was saddened by the loss of my mother and not being able to see her, I had truly lost my mother more than a year before her death. As hard as it was, I found peace knowing that she was now in heaven and was no longer suffering, feeling and living the effects of that dreadful disease.
My mother’s funeral was held in early April on Good Friday. It was a cool, sunny day. Certainly not a day you would expect to see a butterfly. However, as we pulled into our driveway following the service, a beautiful yellow swallowtail butterfly flew up to our car and fluttered around me as I exited the vehicle. An unexpected calm came over me. You see, yellow was my mother’s favorite color. I am confident that this beautiful creature was her, saying one final goodbye.
Yellow butterflies embody the symbolic and spiritual meanings associated with all butterflies. Yet, they also signify true happiness and a bright light for the future. They are a positive sign of hope and happiness for your life.
Throughout the years, my sons, husband and I have seen a beautiful yellow butterfly during happy, challenging and sad times in our lives. I know my beautiful mother is always with us!