Art collection continued to grow

The Graphic Printing Company didn’t set out to have an art collection. But it does.
It’s not especially valuable, but the collection of paintings hanging around the building adds a little visual pleasure every day.
It all started with a fire. And my father.
Back in 1974, the offices of the Hoosier Salon in downtown Indianapolis were destroyed by a particularly nasty fire.
For generations, the Hoosier Salon has been one of the premiere arts organizations in the state. It has something like 500 members, has been around for more than 90 years and each year mounts a competitive exhibition that attracts some serious talent.
But after the 1974 fire, it was facing financial difficulties. Apparently insurance coverage was insufficient, and to get back on its feet the organization decided to have an art auction to raise some funds.
Artists around the state were asked to donate pieces for the auction, and folks — like my parents — were encouraged to come to the auction and bid.
It was a simple plan, but the weather got in the way.
I can’t recall whether it was a blizzard or an ice storm. All I know for certain is that conditions were miserable that day. Most patrons and potential buyers stayed home.
My parents didn’t, and it wasn’t too far into the bidding before my father became angry.
It probably started as mild irritation, but I think it reached the level of anger.
Why? Because while generous potential buyers who wanted to help the Hoosier Salon were in short supply, there were plenty of bottom-feeders who figured they’d snatch up some artwork at bargain basement prices.
And that ticked Dad off.
He was, I believe, president of the Richmond Art Association at the time. He personally knew many of the artists who had donated their works for the auction. And he found it offensive that anyone would try to take advantage of the situation.
So what did he do? He bid.
At some point in the proceedings, he started trying to push the prices up.
I’m not entirely sure he was successful at that, but I do know he bought a lot of paintings, something like a dozen as I recall.
That Monday, he called then-publisher Manon Felts and explained that the company now had an art collection and was making a donation to the Hoosier Salon.
That would have been the end of it, but for genetics.
Like my siblings, I’ve inherited the gene that appreciates fine art and wants to acquire it. So the company collection has grown a little bit over time.
A couple of pictures were purchased during the Sunflower Fest, a Jay County Arts Council event that used to take place each September.
And one was purchased when I — like my father — simply became irritated.
There was a juried show scheduled at the arts council, and when I stopped by for a sneak peak I noticed a charming piece by Liz Lawson, a longtime Jay County art teacher who now lives in Redkey. While I was admiring it, I was told that the juror for the exhibit hadn’t selected it. It was a reject.
That was enough. I bought it on the spot and took it back to join the collection.
Today, appropriately enough, that Liz Lawson piece hangs at Arts Place.
It had been a favorite of former business manager Julie Swoveland; and when she left our company to take on a new challenge at the local arts organization, the Liz Lawson piece was a farewell gift to a valuable employee. It’s hanging in her office today.
Somehow, I think my father would approve.