Hibbing
Minnesota
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Range Creative Art Center
History
America's new grass-roots movement toward art has proved it is more than a fad. Its continuing rise has shamed the snobs who until recently considered art the exclusive domain of artists and their "angels." Now it belongs to everyone for the taking.
Whether they view it merely as a hobby or as self-expression, citizens everywhere are discovering - or rediscovering - the fun of painting.
Noteworthy, but not at all unusual in this respect, is the growth of the Range Artists Association. Organized last May (1958) by a nucleus of 25, it now has more than 100 active members - from grandmothers to teenagers.
The nucleus came mainly from Hibbing's Village Artists group, which retains its separate identity and quarters but feels that the larger association can do more to promote the common cause.
One of the sparkplugs in drawing together painters across the Range was Mrs. William W. Watson, now chairman of the Hibbing section. There are now two other sections, with Miss Olive Chipman as chairman for the Chisholm- Buhl district, and Mrs. O. J. Eide for Virginia and the East Range.
With little money but great ambition, the Range Artists Association promptly set about its program. It sponsored summer workshop classes which were held in a building on the St. Louis county fair grounds and conducted by artist A. E. Schar of Worthington. The sessions also attracted lecturers, including muralist - illustrator - author Charles Carlson.
In addition, members of the association exhibited 150 paintings at the fair, many of them winning prizes and honors.
Thus fortified with success, the group last week was looking ahead to other ventures. Plans call for a permanent studio and exhibit hall, similar to the one of the Duluth Art Institute. Also under consideration is the hiring of an instructor for a winter workshop. Assorted lecturers are also sought too.
Austin Hanson, Hibbing art teacher who is director of the association, says he is delighted by the response and interest he has seen developed since May. "And it isn't just talk," he adds. "It's genuine. These people really want to paint and delve into all aspects of art. It's a wonderful thing."
As in many civic art associations, most of the membership consists of women. But the Range group points out that about half dozen men have been active from the start and that other male support is definitely in the offing.
To keep in close contact with its growing number of followers across the Range, the group has started a chatty news bulletin. And Mrs. Watson last week talked hopefully of art auctions and exhibits "to stimulate wider interest and encourage a desire for ownership of good original art.
America's new grass-roots movement toward art has proved it is more than a fad. Its continuing rise has shamed the snobs who until recently considered art the exclusive domain of artists and their "angels." Now it belongs to everyone for the taking.
Whether they view it merely as a hobby or as self-expression, citizens everywhere are discovering - or rediscovering - the fun of painting.
Noteworthy, but not at all unusual in this respect, is the growth of the Range Artists Association. Organized last May (1958) by a nucleus of 25, it now has more than 100 active members - from grandmothers to teenagers.
The nucleus came mainly from Hibbing's Village Artists group, which retains its separate identity and quarters but feels that the larger association can do more to promote the common cause.
One of the sparkplugs in drawing together painters across the Range was Mrs. William W. Watson, now chairman of the Hibbing section. There are now two other sections, with Miss Olive Chipman as chairman for the Chisholm- Buhl district, and Mrs. O. J. Eide for Virginia and the East Range.
With little money but great ambition, the Range Artists Association promptly set about its program. It sponsored summer workshop classes which were held in a building on the St. Louis county fair grounds and conducted by artist A. E. Schar of Worthington. The sessions also attracted lecturers, including muralist - illustrator - author Charles Carlson.
In addition, members of the association exhibited 150 paintings at the fair, many of them winning prizes and honors.
Thus fortified with success, the group last week was looking ahead to other ventures. Plans call for a permanent studio and exhibit hall, similar to the one of the Duluth Art Institute. Also under consideration is the hiring of an instructor for a winter workshop. Assorted lecturers are also sought too.
Austin Hanson, Hibbing art teacher who is director of the association, says he is delighted by the response and interest he has seen developed since May. "And it isn't just talk," he adds. "It's genuine. These people really want to paint and delve into all aspects of art. It's a wonderful thing."
As in many civic art associations, most of the membership consists of women. But the Range group points out that about half dozen men have been active from the start and that other male support is definitely in the offing.
To keep in close contact with its growing number of followers across the Range, the group has started a chatty news bulletin. And Mrs. Watson last week talked hopefully of art auctions and exhibits "to stimulate wider interest and encourage a desire for ownership of good original art.