The Hammond Public Library, like many libraries, showcases the works of local artists throughout the year. For the past
sixteen years, however, the work of a special group of artists has been featured
each fall during the library’s annual Senior Art Exhibit

Swisher, Susan Herrick

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Indiana Libraries, Vol. 26, Number 238“A” IS FOR ART, NOT AGE:THE HAMMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY’SANNUAL SENIOR ART EXHIBITby Susan Herrick Swisherhe Hammond Public Library, like manylibraries, showcases the works of localartists throughout the year. For the pastsixteen years, however, the work of aspecial group of artists has been featuredeach fall during the library’s annual Senior Art Exhibit.Scott Kingery, the library’s display artist, is curatorof the Senior Art Exhibit. He recalls that the ideafomented during a 1989 conversation with ArthurMeyers, then the library’s director. “Arthur Meyerssuggested having senior artists show their work,” saysKingery. “I don’t know if he envisioned a juried show.”The present library director, Margaret Evans, wasHead of Technical Services at that time. “Paintings werehung on the second floor, and we’d have a punch andcookie reception out on the balcony,” Evans recalls ofthe early shows. “The range of media and the numberof entries has really grown.”The event runs during September and October. In2000 and 2001, the Hammond Public Library partneredwith the Northern Indiana Art Association to exhibitworks at both the Main Library and NIAA’s Hammondlocation, Substation No. 9. There was no exhibit in2002 due to funding cuts experienced by NIAA, andbecause of the Main Library’s two-year renovation. Theexhibit resumed in 2003.In 2005, the exhibit was renamed the AnnualSenior Art Exhibit, dropping the word “citizen.” The lastthree years have seen the Friends of the HammondPublic Library providing funds for prizes and an awardsreception. Kingery says this period has also seen themost growth in terms of new participants.“Over the years, a mailing list that began withperhaps thirty to forty names has grown to nearly onehundred. Eight new names were added to the mailinglist last year,” he said, noting that a wider variety ofsubject matter, and range of media, reflects this newvitality. Artist, Betty Delinck, of Whiting, Ind., agrees,“There are a lot of good older artists out there. It’scompetitive, and it’s been growing.” Ann Noldin ofSchererville, Ind., says, “The quality has increased.There’s a lot of competition.” Her husband, Ray, is alsoan artist. “We’ve entered almost since the beginning.It’s my favorite contest,” she adds.Artists live in Lake or Porter counties in Indiana, or justover the state line in Illinois. Some seniors becameartists early on, while others didn’t take up art untilthey retired. Some are talented hobbyists, while forothers, art is their trade.Herbert Goodwin of Gary was a commercial artistin Chicago for 40 years, and began painting in oilsfollowing his retirement. He praises the renovatedlibrary as a venue, and lauds Scott Kingery as curator. “Ilike Scott,” Goodwin says. “He handles the show verywell. It’s a pleasant show to enter.”Kingery sends notices of the exhibit to previousentrants, as well as to local art organizations and to thepress. The notice announces the rules, deadlines forsubmitting work, and dates of the opening receptionand exhibit. As artists deliver their works, they completean entry slip listing their name, title of the work, andmedium. Kingery tapes the slip to the back or bottomof each piece submitted.In the meantime, he’s asked a professional artist tovolunteer his or her time to judge the entries, decidewhich pieces will make the show, and select the win-ners. Before the judge arrives, Kingery arranges theaccumulated pieces against the walls outside his officein a colorful, eclectic ribbon. He mentally judges theworks, just to see how closely his choices will compareto those of the judge. The judge arrives, examines thepieces, makes selections for the show, and decides onthe winners. Kingery separates pieces selected for theshow, and returns those not selected to a storage area.All artists receive a letter noting only whether theirwork has been selected for the exhibit. Those whosepieces are not selected are given a time frame in whichto retrieve their work.To help ensure impartiality, judges come fromvarious art backgrounds and work in various media. Adifferent judge is chosen each year, and participantsaren’t told who it will be. Although the entry slips aretaped to the reverse of the piece, sometimes judges willrecognize a fellow artist’s style or subject matter.Indiana Libraries, Vol. 26, Number 2 39Kingery does not release the winners’ names untilthe opening reception, at which time the exhibit opensfor viewing. Ribbons and monetary awards are pre-sented for first through third place, in addition to threehonorable mentions. “I enjoy the reception,” says BettyDelinck. “It’s a chance to get together with old friendsand meet fellow artists.” Delinck, Noldin and Goodwinall echo another reason they enjoy the Senior ArtExhibit: there is no charge for artists to enter. “It canget pricey for seniors,” Noldin says of entering showswhere a fee is charged for each work entered.The exhibit’s growth in both quality and quantitymay be due, in part, to rule changes through the years.These changes are either suggested by the judges, orimplemented by Kingery as the need arises. Presently,the rules state that artists must be age 55 and above,and may submit up to two pieces of work in anymedium. Three-dimensional work must be framed andwired for hanging, and sawtooth hangers are notaccepted. Two-dimensional work must not measuremore than 16 inches in any direction. Artists must havecompleted the work within the past three years.Whether the works are two- or three-dimensional;whether watercolor, oil, charcoal or mixed media;whether still life, portrait, or carving, the works alwaysdraw attention from artists, library staff, and visitors. Atthe Hammond Public Library, “A” stands for ART, notfor AGE.

"A" is for Art, Not Age: The Hammond Public Library's Annual Senior Art Exhibit

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"A" is for Art, Not Age: The Hammond Public Library's Annual Senior Art Exhibit

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