Square Deal Art Show
Madison Art Club has artists
working on ‘square’ art pieces
The 12x12-inch art works will be sold for $99 each
(November 2015) – Artists across the region are busy preparing entries for the Square Deal art exhibit and sale, held annually by the Madison (Ind.) Art Club. The event continues in memory of Bob Saueressig, the late local artist who helped create the event.
Saueressig was a prominent local artist who was an officer of the Madison Art Club before his death last year. Because he recognized the importance of artists supporting one another, he was an influential force in the local art community.
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Photo by John Sheckler |
“Square Deal was started by Bob. It was one of the many things he held in his hand from which we were blessed,” said Madison Art Club Member Debi Black of Milan, Ind. “We continue now because it is part of his legacy. He was very invested in the arts, especially in this area, and was always willing to help someone else on their journey.”
The Square Deal art exhibit is a good example of how the Madison Art Club still follows the Saueressig leadership to allow many local artists the opportunity for display and sale of their work.
“Artists buy two 12x12-inch canvases for $25,” explained art club treasurer Linda Wood, who describes herself as the organization’s official bean counter. “All paintings are then priced at $99, and the art club takes 25 percent on sales.”
There are expected to be more than 100 paintings without frames from more than 50 artists to be displayed in the club’s Art on Main Gallery and Gift Shop at 309 W. Main St. Entries for the Square Deal exhibit can be done in a variety of medium, including mixed medium, collage or mosaic.
“The art work can be seen from the front window and is highly visible, so people can window shop,” Wood continued. “With the really good artists, you won’t find anything for $99, so it is something that draws your eye. The exhibit brings in all kinds of styles. That is what we are all about.”
Black is another good example of how well the Madison Art Club reaches out to help artists grow.
“I come down here for my art,” said Black. “There isn’t as much art near my home just across the border to Ripley County.”
Black has been teaching art for 15 years and has been in the Madison Art Club for six years. She had the time to expand her art professionally when her oldest son graduated from high school a few years ago. She teaches painting each Tuesday at the Art on Main Gallery. Between classes, she works on her own Square Deal paintings at the gallery.
The paintings currently on her work space both have water themes. In one, a docked sailboat sits in a sunset scene. The other shows a boy and his dog by what will be a lake and woods when she is finished. She gently uses what looks to be a dry 3-inch home paint brush to soften the forest background so the central subject can stand out. Her pallet is a plastic picnic plate covered with multiple dots of paint she has mixed to get the colors she desires.
“I have learned as much from the students as they learn from me,” said Black. “If they ask something, I can’t teach it unless I fully understand. I will be off to learn something new that I didn’t understand before I started the teaching process.”
The learning process works from teacher to student and back again, but also works between the artist and the work being produced.
“When doing a painting it grows as you work on it, and takes on a life of its own,” said Black. “The paining itself has a great influence on what the finished work will be.”
The Square Deal Art Exhibit runs from Nov. 1 through Dec. 31. An opening reception is planned from 5-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, during Christmas in Madison Downtown Open House.