OFTA FEATURES GALESBURG ARTISTS ON MAY 14

On Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. Rob and Lori Reed will talk to the members of OFTA (Old Friends Talk Arts) about their artistic philosophy and their work. Their presentation will take place in the main gallery of the Buchanan Center for the Arts on the square in downtown Monmouth, IL

The Reed’s are the gurus behind the Reed Studios, Inc. in Galesburg and have been prominent in the art and design scene there for many years. They have exhibited their work extensively throughout Illinois and Iowa and both have taught at Knox College.

Lori has a B.F.A. in Graphic Design from the University of Illinois and works primarily in collage. She uses paper, tiles, shells, broken ceramics and other found objects in her creations and says that she will often try to “. . . evoke memories from childhood or convey the hint of a story of which the viewer has only fragments.”

Rob has a M.F.A. in Sculpture from Oklahoma University and works in both metal and stone. He said in his artist’s statement that ever since he was a child he has been making things and that it gives him “. . . a great kick to build something out of fairly humble materials and make it look nice.”

The Reed’s presentation for OFTA will come just before their new show, “Uncovered, Discovered & Manufactured” opens at the Buchanan Center. That exhibit will run from May 17th to June 14th, 2008 with the official opening reception on Friday evening May 16th from 5-7 p.m.

OFTA( Old Friends Talk Arts) is a gathering, primarily for senior citizens, that features regular second Wednesday of each month programs on the arts. There is no charge for admission, refreshments are available, and all members of the public are welcome regardless of their age. OFTA is partially supported by grants from the Buchanan Center for the Arts and the Illinois Arts Council—a state agency. If you have ideas for programming or wish to get on the mailing list, please contact OFTA coordinator Jim De Young at jdeyoung@maplecity.com

OFTA( Old Friends Talk Arts) is a gathering, primarily for senior citizens, that features regular second Wednesday of each month programs on the arts. There is no charge for admission, refreshments are available, and all members of the public are welcome regardless of their age. OFTA is partially supported by grants from the Buchanan Center for the Arts and the Illinois Arts Council—a state agency. If you have ideas for programming or wish to get on the mailing list, please contact OFTA coordinator Jim De Young at jdeyoung@maplecity.com

Book Review The Jupiter Myth by Lindsey Davis

Marcus Didius Falco is Lindsey Davis' intrepid Roman "informer" or Private Investigator. In this 2002 adventure, Falco takes his investigative skills and rag tag family off to Londinium cum 75 AD. Even in the outer reaches of the empire there appears to be plenty of opportunity for extortion, mayhem, and murder. It all begins with a nobleman killed by being stuffed headfirst down a well. Falco's investigation exposes a city-wide organized crime protection ring and leads to more killings as the now targeted thugs fight to retain control of their rackets. Davis uses some recent archaeology to set her scenes and you get convincing local ambiance ranging from the Thames waterfront to the new Amphitheatre where a rip roaring battle takes place. Through it all Falco is a wryly comic observer who is never quite ready to admit that this seedy outpost could grow up to be a real city. The appealing cast of characters includes Falco's take charge wife, his raucous children, his randy sister and her lover, a whole corps of amazons, and an assortment of denizens of the bars and brothels of the city. The upshot is sardonic humor combined with clever plot twists, good fight scenes, and some nice period local color. For me, as a lover of anything London, this was a particularly enjoyable read.

Monmouth YMCA Has Successful Health Fair

Saturday, March 13th saw an energetic crowd of children and parents descend on the Warren County YMCA to celebrate the joys of a healthy lifestyle from civic awareness and arts participation to good eating habits and exercise. Attendees could do art projects at the Buchanan Center for the Arts and the Warren County Library tables. The Monmouth park district had material available on their summer park programs. The local hospital and police department had booths and entertainment was provided by dance, yoga, and martial arts demonstrations.

Dick Cavett on a Dynamic Duo

My memory and admiration goes back a long way with Dick Cavett--long before he was a low key host for symphony concerts. I've also spent many a year teaching communication and public speaking skills to generations of students. In yesterday's New York Times, Cavett cuts to the chase in an analysis "with humor" of the embarassing attempts by General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker to present the Congress and the American people with a summary of the current situation in Iraq.Click your Bic here to read it all.

Town and Country Art Show opens at BCA

What a marvelous profusion of talent! What an eyepopping display of art by the young students of Warren County Illinois! Just take a look at a sampling of the over 700 individual drawings, paintings, photos, and sculptures that now cover the walls of the Buchanan Center for the Arts in Monmouth from floor to ceiling.


The work is exciting in itself, but the way in which the viewers of the show respond to the work is even more satisfying. Young and old walk around the gallery with smiles on their faces as they point and "ooh and ahh" at the various items. The littler ones particularly seem to glow with pride as they show their parents or grandparents their own art work on display in a real art gallery for everyone to see.






Gathering the most attention on opening afternoon was the collection of snowman or should we say snowpeople sculptures. Everyone seemed to stop, stare, and often chuckle at the varied and imaginative twists that each young artist gave to this most simple form.