Busy Summer

New in the gallery

I took a detour this month to work on a couple of lap quilts for relatives whom I thought might appreciate them. Although I also have a couple of small pieces in progress to submit for the small works show at Arts Illiana later this year, they are not ready to post in the gallery. I’ve also been spending a fair amount of my “studio time” on the road delivering and retrieving work in shows across the region. I’m so delighted to have found such a robust number of galleries and other venues through which to share my work. I always enjoy the opening receptions which provide opportunities to chat with friends (old and new) as well as other art enthusiasts. Participating also often gives me ideas for new work and sometimes reminds me of techniques to try.

Exhibit Updates

As I mentioned last month, I entered 3 pieces in the Indiana State Fair. Growing up I showed horses and other projects in the 4-H division but never exhibited art projects (let alone in the “professional” division!) Although the 2026 Fair has closed, I am delighted to have won second and third place in the fiber division for Women’s Work and Perfecting Imperfection.

Women's Work at the State Fair

Perfecting Imperfection at the State Fair

Each of the three works I entered in The River City Art Association’s 18th Annual Juried Art Exhibit earned a ribbon. As a result, those pieces will be on view at First Financial Bank at Spring Hill and 3rd in Terre Haute for the month of September with the other ribbon winners from the show! I hope RCAA continues to include a fiber category as I want to encourage artists across the region to submit their fiber-based work.

Blue ribbon winner at RCAA

Gaslight’s 7th Annual Fiber Art Exhibition closes September 12. I have three pieces in a very strong show. This month’s featured artist exhibited two pieces, images of which are included below. Additional details can be found at www.gaslightartcolony.com.

Arts Illiana is hosting its annual End of Summer Extravaganza until Sept 18 (23 N 6th Terre Haute IN). I have 3 small works in the show. This sale is a great way to get a head start on your holiday shopping while supporting the local art community. Furthermore, if you buy something, the gallery allows the artist to replace it with another piece. I hope you’ll stop in to have a look around.

Boyville (by Sears and Roebuck) was selected for inclusion in an exhibit called “Memory” at the Carnegie Museum of Montgomery County in Crawfordsville IN (222 S Washington St). Thirty three artworks by 27 artists are featured in the show which runs through October 31.

Boyville is in Crawfordsville

Members of the Wabash Valley Art Guild have been invited to show their work in Moench Hall at Rose Hulman Institute of Technology (5500 Wabash Ave, Terre Haute). A reception is scheduled for Thursday October 15 (4:30 to 6:30 pm). The show closes December 16. I have entered 6 pieces including the large triptych, She Who Hears the Cries.

Rose Hulman WVAG Show

For the first time, I have submitted three smaller works to the Covered Bridge Art Association’s annual September open show. The show opens September 5th and closes with a receptions on September 27 (3 to 5 PM). CBAA’s Gallery is located at 124 West Ohio Street, Rockville IN. More details can be found at www.rockvillecoveredbridgeartgallery.com.

Thanks to the River City Art Association, I am the featured artist at The Hometown Savings Bank (2503 Poplar St, Terre Haute) until mid January 2027. You are welcome to stop in to see the work even if you don’t have banking business to accomplish! The staff seems to enjoy having local art in their workspace and I appreciate the opportunity to show several of my larger works in the same space!

Featured Artist: Jo Rich-Vadas

A Southern Illinois native, Jo Rich-Vadas has been making art for much of her life despite having no formal training other than the occasional workshop or class. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons she’s never tried an art medium she didn’t enjoy. Although her range is vast, I’m delighted she works in fiber and often mixes fiber with other mediums.

In Poppin Out, an especially stunning piece, she included dried hydrangeas which she painted! In contrast, Garden View is a great example of “slow stitching” which I believe she finished while on vacation. Both are included in Gaslight’s current fiber show.   

Poppin Out (Full)

Poppin Out (detail)

When she moved to Marshall, Illinois in 1975, she joined the Marshall Art Guild. In 2009, she was one of the founders of the Gaslight Art Colony, a Not-for-Profit organization based in Marshall. She continues to be one of the primary forces behind the success of the Colony and its gallery. In addition to the Colony Gallery, her work can often be seen in other art venues across the region, including shows mounted by the Wabash Valley Art Guild, Arts Illiana, and the River City Art Association.

Slow Stitched Garden View

Although she works in a wide variety of media, she helped to start the Colony’s annual fiber show because members who work primarily with fiber expressed concern that there were too few opportunities to show their work. Although now, fiber is welcomed in a number of shows across the region, (and in some cases it is included explicitly!) fiber-focused shows remain rare. I am so grateful for her initiative in supporting fiber as a fine art medium.