GREENVILLE — Bear’s Mill is a popular site for graphic artists; its rustic beauty and inviting natural surroundings providing inspiration and multiple scenic subjects that beg to be captured with a paintbrush or camera.
In an appropriate response to this advantageous reality, Friends of Bear’s Mill, the organization which owns and operates the mill, is announcing “Art From Seasons Past,” a fundraiser offering supporters of the historic site the opportunity to own a work of art featuring aspects of the appealing building and its surroundings. Fifteen pieces will be on display in the Mill’s Clark Gallery beginning Feb. 19. Visitors to Bear’s Mill can bid on their favorites in a Silent Auction that will conclude March 18 with a Reveal Party and Reception from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., when those entering the winning bids will take their treasures home; bids will be taken through 7:30 p.m. .
According to Marti Goetz, executive director of Friends of Bear’s Mill, many of these artworks have been donated by Sue Detling, a long time mill supporter.
“We are offering lovely paintings of the mill by Thelma Frame, Alma Gilbert, Mark Kingrey and Augie Roestamadji and two delightful prints of interior mill scenes by Tracey Onoz that would enhance any home or business; but not all of the pieces depict our scenic site,” Goetz explained. “An evocative oil of the Greenville Courthouse by Hattie Stanton highlighting the building’s new dome connects directly to the Viet Nam Veterans Memorial that Terry Clark built on mill grounds using the beloved old dome, and should warm the heart of any Darke countian.”
Among the other work being put up for bids are limited edition prints by Noblesville, Indiana, artist Bruce Neckar and Michigan painter Paul Wolber, as well as Arcanum High School graduate Chris Madden’s “Monolith,” a richly colored oil dominated by monumental grain silos, which offers dramatic contrast to Doug Fiely’s two small but fetching woodcut prints. Minimum starting bids for the artworks range from $50 to $1100.
“Not only will the top bidders own an outstanding piece of art, but their generosity will help us keep the mill alive and thriving, an outcome benefiting everyone concerned,” Goetz remarked.
According to Goetz, Friends of Bear’s Mill is grateful to Julie Kessen of Granny’s Corner in downtown Greenville, for donating framing services for “Art From Seasons Past.” The art is on view and bids can be placed during regular mill store hours, 11 a.m. till 5 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, and 1 p.m. till 5 p.m. Sundays. For more information, contact Bear’s Mill at 937-548-5112 or visit their Website at www.bearsmill.com.
