By RACHEL BERENSON PERRY, for The Democrat
When artists began flocking to Nashville in the early 1900s, one of them was unique in her friendship and concern for the people of Brown County.
Ada Walter Shulz felt compelled to render the universal bond between mothers and their children, as well as sunlit hours when youngsters entertained themselves playing in nearby creeks and meadows. Although she and her models came from very different worlds, Ada established a closer relationship with many resident families than most of the artists, who concentrated only on painting scenic landscapes.
Photojournalist Frank Hohenberger, who photographed the early artists and native Brown Countians, remarked in his journal that “a few of the artists, especially Ada Shulz, Will Vawter, and Carl Graf, had the humility to live with their new neighbors.”
Ada Shulz loved books and reading, evidenced by her numerous paintings of children with books, or mothers reading to youngsters. Strongly believing in the importance of a county library, she was appointed by the circuit court judge to the first governing board of the library in 1919.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]She volunteered many hours to the library, manning the circulation desk, and helping to move and decorate when the library relocated to the Masonic Building in 1921. She organized rotating exhibits there, eventually donating one of her major works, titled “Mother from the Hills,” for the permanent collection.
The only painting she ever created in a round frame, the image shows a mother and young daughter in gardening hats, both looking at a baby held by her mother. The daughter is handing a cornhusk doll to the fascinated infant. Obviously painted outdoors, the figures are washed in sunlight with a background of blue skies with white clouds.
Hung in a place of honor above the fireplace in the current library, the painting serves as a reassuring reminder of our county’s beauty and heritage.
Several other paintings created by members of the Hoosier Group and the early Brown County Art Colony, and donated by generous patrons or the artists themselves, are also included in the library collection. Throughout the main floor can be seen: “Autumn Forest” by T.C. Steele; “Flower Vase” by William Forsyth; “Springtime in Brown County” by Adolph Shulz; three pastel portraits by Glen Cooper Henshaw; “Afternoon Light” by L.O. Griffith; “Fall Landscape” by Will Vawter; and “Autumn Scene” by V. J. Cariani.
A snow scene by C. Curry Bohm, titled “Winter in Nashville,” was recently acquired using donations and funds from the library’s art advisory committee.
The legacy of Brown County pottery, including ceramic pieces by Karl Martz, is well represented by a large collection displayed in reading room cases by the fireplace, all donated by caring library patrons.
Textiles titled “Chief Joseph Quote” by Martha Gradolf, and “Portal to the World” by Charlene Marsh, embellish the walls near the elevator.
The downstairs level display of photographs by Frank Hohenberger depicting early artists and local characters was donated by the Brown County chapter of Psi Iota Xi.
Current artists have also been generous with their gifts to the library art collection. Patricia Rhoden Bartels donated “Wild Flowers,” a stunning painting with gold leaf illustrating negative space; recently deceased William Smoot gave a striking portrait of artist Fred Rigley; the late Mary Jo Limp donated “Wooded Pond”; and other pieces include “Autumn Scene” by June Bryan; “Nashville Scene” by Shelley Frederick; “Autumn Scene” by Lillian Dunnigan; a portrait of Onya La Tour by Neil Dunnigan; “Children at Fountain” by Amanda Kirby; a print of “Soaring Eagle” by William Zimmerman; “Joy” by Martha Sechler; “Children at Play” by Von Williamson; pottery by Susy O’Donnell; and a beach scene and landscape by Fred Rigley.
“Winter Warmth” by Thom Robinson and “Sweet Legacy” by Chris Newlund are the library’s most recent artist donations. “I have a love of libraries and always have,” Newlund said. “Moving a lot (while growing up), libraries were a sanctuary; an escape, entertainment and a safe place.”
In addition to the artifacts, the library building features unique, handmade architectural elements, including an interior decorative stair railing and outdoor leaf sculpture by blacksmith Jack Brubaker; stained glass fireplace screen by Ann Ryan Miller; stone bench by sculptor James Conner; and carved limestone relief decoration on the building’s exterior.
An appointed art advisory committee oversees the exhibition, maintenance, care and enhancement of the library’s permanent collection. A brochure of the painting collection highlights is available at the library’s front desk.
