‘Coolest Thing Made in Indiana’ contest taking entries

Makers of things ingenious, interesting and off the wall, it’s time to see if you’re the coolest of them all.

Edward

Art in Action — Art with religious themes

As we learned last week, art surrounds us and often had its roots in religious depictions. Many artists over time, such as Dali and Edward Hicks, have tried to capture Noah’s Ark and the Biblical flood. What a difference in the styles of these two artists.

This week, let’s travel back in time to the art of Hicks. Born in April 1870, his youth was quite traumatic. His wealthy grandfather lost the family’s riches in the Revolutionary War. Hick’s mother died when he was only 18-monthsold. He was then raised by a friend of his mother who trained him in her Quaker beliefs, a knowledge that impacted his life greatly.

At age 13, Hicks became an apprentice to the Tomlinson brothers who were to train him in the craft of coach painting. In 1800, well trained, he left to begin as an independent coach painter, then worked for Joshua Canby, a coach maker. He began a downward spiral going against his Quaker upbringing.

He criticized himself in his memoirs. His life seemed to straighten up when he returned to his Quaker roots, later marrying a Quaker woman named Sarah Worstall. By 1812, he became a minister, traveling through Philadelphia as a Quaker preacher, but he soon realized his growing family required more income. He changed his art business, once again doing work that was more commercialized. He made a better income but it was upsetting some in his Quaker background who felt it deviated from their plain traditions and customs.

Hicks, attempting to please everyone (which is usually impossible) gave up and tried to provide for his family by farming while painting in the style his Quaker friends felt was acceptable. His abilities as a farmer were not financially successful.

Knowing his wife was expecting their fifth child, several relatives and friends encouraged Hicks to return to decorative painting. He saved his family’s fortunes and increased his success as, not a Quaker minister but as a Quaker artist. Around 1820, Hicks sealed his popularity by creating the first of his numerous paintings depicting “The Peaceable Kingdom.” Edward Hicks is one of the most famous Folk Artists of the Colonial Period. His work can be found in multiple museums and is enjoyed by all visitors.

Exhibits

• Sam Hoffman at Warsaw City Art Gallery. His talent for incorporating historical elements into his paintings is unique and refreshing. This exhibit is free to attend. The address is 102 S. Buffalo St., Warsaw, and is open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. except for holidays.

• Van Gogh Immersive Experience. Experience his paintings in large scale and organized according to study (self-portraits, trees, etc.). Open until Aug. 10. Located at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum Expo III, 4000 Parnell Ave., Fort Wayne. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. Get tickets at vangoghfortwayne.com.

• Lakeland Art Gallery. Brenda Stichter and Tom Zuber are exhibiting their artwork titled “Marks, Lines, and the Movements Within.” Free to attend. Located at 302 Winona Ave., Warsaw, LAA is open 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. WednesdaySaturday.

The Indiana Chamber’s third annual “Coolest Thing Made in Indiana” competition is back and combines the state’s proud manufacturing tradition and passion for basketball. Entries are being accepted for the Hoosier Hysteria-style single elimination tournament at indianachamber.com/ coolest. Entry is free; nominations will be accepted through Tuesday, Oct. 10.

To participate, a company does not need to be headquartered in Indiana, but the product entered must be manufactured in the state. Businesses are limited to having one product nominated.

Online fan voting determines the winner of each match up. The tournament tips off in late October and concludes in November.

“Each year, we are pleased to see the wide range of companies — large and small — that take part and proudly show off what they are known for. It’s wonderful recognition for them and helps us showcase all the great products that are home grown right here,” said Indiana Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer Kevin Brinegar. “It’s this variety of manufacturing that continues to help our economy thrive. We encourage both longtime manufacturers and budding entrepreneurs to participate.”

Janus Motorcycles of Goshen took top honors in the inaugural competition. In December, the Indiana Chamber honored Maple Leaf Farms, Leesburg, for its roast half duck.

The winning company will receive a feature article in the Indiana Chamber’s BizVoice magazine and an invitation to appear on the organization’s “IN Chamber” podcast. Awards for the top finishers will be presented at the 2023 Best IN Manufacturing Awards Luncheon Wednesday, Dec. 13, at the Indiana Roof Ballroom.

“The Coolest Thing Made in Indiana” and “Indiana’s Best Places to Work in Manufacturing” pro- grams are supported by spirit sponsor, Purdue Manufacturing Extension Partnership; gold sponsor, Kalenborn Abresist Corp.; and silver sponsor, Evonik Corp.

Tippecanoe Labs.

Additional sponsorships are available for the event; contact Tim Brewer at (317) 496-0704 or tbrewer@indianachamber.com.

Kosciusko Master Gardeners invite public to final seminars of season

The Kosciusko County Master Gardeners Association has just two more gardening seminars scheduled for the 2023 season.

On Monday, Aug. 14, local master gardener Connie Street-Fribley will lead a discussion about how attendees’ vegetable gardening went over the summer. Participants will be able to share their experiences and learn from one another. Street-Fribley took master gardener classes in 2015. Her specialty is flower bed gardening with hostas and lilies. Her lily received Best of Show in the open class flower division during this summer’s Kosciusko County Fair.

On Monday, Sept. 18, local master gardener Steve Koontz will talk about growing house- plants and edibles indoors, as well as growing microgreens and soil-less gardening of lettuces and herbs. He will also discuss how to choose good plants at the store, watering schedules, light requirements, growing succulents, nutrients, getting rid of pests, and more. Koontz took master gardener classes in 2015, and his specialty is indoor gardening.

Both seminars are open to the public. They run from 7-8 p.m. and will be held at the Robin Hood Community Center, 1436 Camelot Drive, Winona Lake. It’s not required, but signing up at www.bit.ly/2023ML would be helpful. For questions, send an email to kcmganswers@gmail. com.