9th annual Exhibtion
Collector: Kristin Brase Johnson
Artist: Dr. Birger Sandzén
Title: “The Mill on the River” #139 1932 Medium: Lithograph
Story: My mother, Mattie Shay Brase, was a college student at Bethany College in 1933. Dr. Sandzén gave her this print as a thank you for posing during art classes (not sure how often she did this.) Dr Sandzén signed the lithograph “With best wishes to Mattie Shay 1933 Birger Sandzén.” This piece, which hangs in our living room, is very special to me. As the oldest of six children, I got the first choice of Sandzén’s artwork. To learn more about Dr. Birger Sandzén visit https://sandzen.org/
Collector: Caroline Brock
Artist: Chip Brock,
Title: “Cardinal Intarsia” Medium: Wood mosaic
Chip Brock, graduated from Smoky Valley/Lindsborg High School. He enjoyed Norm Yoder’s wood working classes and his grandfather was a skilled craftsman.
Story: This 2002 Christmas gift was one of his earliest intarsia projects. Although we have other pieces, this is my favorite. The use of different woods adds to the color and texture.
Collector: Cindy Daniels
Artist: Rita Sharpe is a Lindsborg artist.
Title: “Noah”. Medium: Dalamalling
Story: Rita Sharpe and her husband, Robert Walker, opened the Folk Designs Studio in Lindsborg in 1980. Purchased at Prairie Woods where Rita had a display of her work, it was given to Cindy for Christmas 1999 by husband, Harvey. I enjoyed Rita’s interpretation of Noah and the Ark. I have a collection of Noah’s Arks, many items being designed by local artisans. Rita’s personality was also very pleasant.
Collector: Mark W. Peterson
Artist: Lars William Peterson,
Title: “Lights on the Smoky”. Medium: Acrylic on wood
Lars William Peterson, SVHS class of 2012, took art classes with Lindy Nelson and Rose Marie Wallen. He is an engineer at Great Plains.
Story: Our family loves Lindsborg Christmas lights. This was a 2017 Christmas gift.
Collector: First Bank Kansas, Lindsborg branch
Artist: Anton Pearson
Title: “Momma Won’t Sell”. Medium: Woodcarving
Story: Pearson was born in Lund, Sweden on May 23, 1892 and started experimenting with carving by the age of nine. After studying at the Technical School in Lund, Pearson eventually immigrated to America. On his way to San Francisco, Pearson stopped in Lindsborg and met Swedish painter Birger Sandzén. Studying painting under Sandzén, at Bethany College, Pearson still created carvings on the side. After graduation, he saw a niche for woodcarving. Pearson met Grace Lane, who studied piano at Bethany College and they married in August, 1929. They had their home built at 505 S. Main Street which was completed in 1929 with extensive gardens and a lily pond. A detached studio was added later to the rear of the property. (information courtesy of Lindsborg CVB 2011 press release) This piece was acquired through the Collection of First Bank Kansas, Lindsborg branch. This woodcarving title reveals the discussion focus among the three subjects of the carving. It is a perfect display for the local branch of the First Bank Kansas. Thanks to Michelle Hofer of Lindsborg First Bank Kansas for submitting this exhibit piece.
Collector: Sandy Armstrong
Artist: Gertrude Nordstrom, of Lindsborg
Title: Untitled Medium: Oil
Story: The man pictured in the postcard is C. F. Nordstrom, my great grandfather. He homesteaded a quarter section of ground west of Lindsborg in 1868. The log cabin he built was the first post office and general store in Lindsborg. It is also listed as the oldest residence in McPherson County.
The painting was created by Gertrude Nordstrom and is of the old log cabin.
Collector: Marsha Howe
Artist: Tara Killingsworth,
Title: “Two Bags”. Medium: Leather, fabric
Tara Killingsworth, a fashion designer and seamstress and the owner of The Ivory Thimble on Main St., Lindsborg.
Story: This piece of art was acquired at the Ivory Thimble. I selected these bags because they are completely different than what we usually see in Lindsborg Collects and they are works of art. My favorite backpack that I had used for 9 years was worn out, so I took it to Tara at the Ivory Thimble to be repaired. We determined that it was beyond any help that Tara could provide. I was devastated. She said that she could make me a new one. I had to think about it…for about 5 minutes or less. Tara had several beautiful leather cow hides to choose from and I loved this gray green. When I picked up the backpack, Tara said there was enough leather for a medium size satchel. I had to have that, also. The lime green lining in the backpack and the turquoise in the tote are from my fabric stash.
It is going to be hard to live without the backpack while it’s in Lindsborg Collects for a month because it’s the most beautiful bag I’ve ever owned.
Collector: Jaryl Hudson
Artist: Jaryl Hudson lives and farms north of Lindsborg.
Title: Scandinavian warrior Medium: Wood, copper and brass
Story: “I’ve enjoyed designing and creating sculpture over the years, taking inspiration from Norse and Viking lore. My mythological creations, such as this Scandinavian warrior sculpture and helmet were created and built by fabrication oak, copper and brass materials.”
Collector: Linda Harding
Artist: Bruce Harding
Title: “Devotions and Fika”. Medium: Woodcarving from 2020
Bruce Harding, is a biology major from Bethany College in 1961 and is a Lindsborg artist.
Story: I chose this art piece because it exhibits some of the traditions inherent in the Swedish culture. Since its origin, Lindsborg has retained the Swedish traditions of art, music, religion, food, etc.
Collector: Lee Becker
Artist: Anton Pearson, Lindsborg, artist, known for his carving
Title: “Head Sculpture” Medium: Carving
Story: I acquired this piece as a birthday gift. Anton helped put Lindsborg on the Art Map with his Swedish flat plane carvings. I received it as a gift from dear friends.
Collector: Gretchen Esping
Artist: Richard Luster, elementary/high school Art teacher, 1962-1968 – Lindsborg Kansas
Title: Untitled Medium: ceramic
Story: This was a gift/inheritance. Richard Luster passed away, Sept 2019, at Greeley, Colorado. I babysat for his 5 children for a number of years and when all the children were fed, bathed and asleep, I could then go out to Richard’s studio and throw pots. I was with Richard and his family when he passed away. This is one of 5 pieces that he gave me. Richard and my father, Malcolm Esping, were the two most influential people in determining my direction as an artist and art instructor.
Collector: Beth Olson
Artist: Anton Pearson
Title: Unknown. Medium: Woodcarving
Anton Pearson, 1892-1967, was born in Sweden and came to America in 1912. He settled in Lindsborg and had a studio behind his house.
Story: This carving was purchased from the family around 1980. I am not a Lindsborg native, but I vividly remember visiting Mr. Pearson in his studio as a young girl. Bill and I lived In the Anton Pearson house in the fall of 1999. It was a magical place to live!
Collector: Jerrine Oleen
Artist: Rita Sharpe Walker a Lindsborg artist
Title: “Dalecarlian Kurbits Folk Art” Medium: Acrylic on wood
Story: These two benches were painted by Rita Sharpe Walker. My mother, Kathy Palmquist had Rita paint each one of the benches when my children were born. The year the kids were born is painted on one of the boards on the seat. On the back of each bench, she painted my children’s full name. You can tell that the bench for our daughter is more decorative that the one for our son.
The Kurbits figurative paintings were made in Dalarna in Sweden. They had their flourishing period in the years 1790-1850. Kurbits is from the beginning, the name of a big plant with gourds, leaves and flowers. This plant has become the main symbol for paintings from Dalarna. Rosemaling (Norwegian term for decorative painting) is a style of decorative painting on wood that uses stylized flower ornamentation, scrollwork, lining and geometric elements. Rosemaling is also common in Sweden, where it’s called kurbits. It is usually symmetrical and very colorful. It is usually done on wood using the primary and secondary colors.
Collector: Liz Lahodny
Artist: Ron Michael
Title: Unknown Medium: Ceramic
Ron Michael is director of the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery in Lindsborg and has exhibited in many regional and national exhibitions.
Story: This ceramic vessel was purchased from the 2020 Lindsborg Arts Council Chocolate Lovers art auction. Supporting local artists and the mission of LAC to provide scholarships for young local artists pursuing a career in the arts is very important to us. Thus, we make a point to expand our art collection through acquisitions at the Chocolate Lovers event. I selected this piece for the exhibit because the vibrant blue color was what first attracted me to the piece but the weathered aesthetic, texture and scale are what intrigued us the most. With both Jeff and me being local natives of north central Kansas, we appreciate that Ron uses Kansas clay dug in Jewell and McPherson counties. View more of Ron’s work on his instagram @ron michaelart
Collector: Hyllningsfest Committee
Artist: Malcolm Esping
Title: “Queen’s Crown and King’s Medallion” Medium: Metal
Story: In 1969, the late Malcolm Esping, renowned Lindsborg metalsmith, designed a crown for the Hyllningsfest queen which featured two Swedish women dancers facing a commemorative coin, which hangs freely inside a cradle of scrollwork on the brass crown. The sunflower represents Kansas. It was made so the coin could be removed from the crown and would become a gift from the festival committee as a memento of her reign. Malcolm then designed a medallion for the king to wear which featured two Dala horses with scrollwork in the center to hold a commemorative coin, which can be removed as a memento for the king. The brass, and silver medallion is worn around the king’s neck by velvet ribbons in the Swedish colors. Find more out about Lindsborg’s Svensk Hyllningsfest at http://www.svenskhyllningsfest.org/
Collector: The Raymer Society
Artist: Lester Raymer,
Title: The Chalice in the Box Medium: Ceramic and box is wood and copper
Lester Raymer, 1907-1991, was an American artist. His work was mostly influenced by great master painters, religious symbolism and folk art. Much of his work was made from recycled materials and his medium ranged from painting printing, ceramics, metal work, woodcarving, stitchery, toy making, furniture and jewelry.
Collector: Erik Peterson
Artist: Signe Larson,
Title: “Shattered Glass Crucifix” Medium: Wood and shattered glass
Story: The piece was my Grandmother Erma Peterson’s. As seen in the attached photo, this crucifix hung in my Grandma’s kitchen, or rather the dining room of their trailer house, of which they lived in on the Falun farm after the old house became too much for my grandparents to maintain. The crucifix was always present there below the china plate depicting Christ as long as I can remember. Over the years, while my grandparents lived there, Grandma added several more crosses to her collection, so many that they eventually covered the back of the cupboard in the photograph. My grandparents were farmers and had strong Christian faiths and Grandma’s collection was an expression of that faith. I have many fond memories of sitting at the countertop eating rusks soaked in sweetened milk and eating spritz and other Swedish cookies Grandma would bake. All the while, we sat underneath the protective veil of the crucifix. I recently acquired the crucifix from my sister, and for the first time in my life, held it in my hands and was able to give it a close look. I was amazed to finally look at the works’ ingenuity and beauty after all these years. I had no idea the nailed Jesus was fashioned out of small pieces of colored shattered glass. I was surprised to see a sticker on the back stating “Signe Larson, Lindsborg, Kansas.”
Collector: Cristina Armbruster
Artist: Marsha Howe
Title: “Are They Zebras or Are They Goats?” Medium: Found objects
Marsha Howe, a Lindsborg artist of many “gifts,” a seamstress of Swedish costumes, an artist, a folk-art maker…
Story: The inscription in the first part of my book says “Cris Happy Birthday 2020 Marsha.” I love this book. She also bound the book. So far I haven’t been able to destroy the perfection of the it (it has many blank page) by writing in it. The cotton was bought from TACOL and the buttons were from her “kids’ necklaces and jewelry” that she took apart. Not only is she a great artist, she is also a wonderful cook, baking sourdough breads for her clientele. Lindsborg is lucky to have Marsha.
Collector: Elizabeth Liljegren
Artist: John Whitfield
Title: “Bird” Medium: Copper sculpture on a marble and wood base
John Whitfield moved to Lindsborg in 1985 from Topeka where he worked as a sculptor following graduation in 1964 from Washburn University with a BFA degree in art. He and his wife, Evelyn, renovated a house on North Washington St. and added a studio where he continued to create sculptures, carvings, wind vanes and jewelry. He built a meditation chapel with sculptural elements and carvings. His work can be seen in many places in Lindsborg and found in public and private collections from Connecticut to Texas.
Story: Following a meeting at Sandzén Gallery, Ron Michael, director, showed me some artwork recently received by the gallery from an estate. This piece by John Whitfield was one of those works. I liked it and since I didn’t have any artwork by John Whitfield in my collection, I purchased it.
Collector: Tata Killingsworth
Artist: Carla J. Wilson, a Lindsborg artist
Title: “The Original Electric Iron” Medium: Metal and acrylic paint
Story: I chose this piece of art because it comes not only from a very dear friend of mine, but also one of my favorite artists. Carla rescued this original electric iron (obviously that no longer functions) at an estate sale and gave it new life. She knew this iron must belong to me. As a student of sustainability, this repurposed item means so much more to me. Carla took something that may have been assumed to be trash and gave it new life as art. The iron is painted with Swedish Kurbits, a style Carla has become a master at and in the color of Kansas State University, the school I received my design degree from. It is a fun and interesting piece that makes an excellent reminder of our friendship. More of Carla’s work can be seen on her facebook page @FlipArt.
Collector: Bethany Lutheran Church
Artist: Annie Lee Ross,
Title: “The Holy Family” Medium: Linoleum cut print
Annie Lee Ross, 1909-1978, a Bethany College art assistant (1945-1950) was a painter printmaker and teacher. She was well-known for her series of saints, Madonnas and wildlife block prints.
Story: This piece was acquired as a donation. We selected this piece because Rose Marie and Mike Wallen, long-time Bethany Church members, had purchased this piece from the internet and wanted to add it to the church’s fine art collection on March 2019 in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the founding of Bethany Church in Lindsborg.
Collector: Messiah Lutheran Church
Artist: Signe Larson,
Title: Untitled. Medium: Lithograph
Signe Larson, 1908-1993, was a painter, deaf since birth, and chalk-talk lecturer. She studied with Birger Sandzén at Bethany College. With her sister, Elvira, she traveled across the U.S., Canada and Europe presenting her “chalk-talks” in churches. Watercolor was her favorite medium. She was a member of the Prairie Water Color Painters.
Story: This piece was acquired as a donation. The Messiah Lutheran Church has a rummage sale every few years and Pastor Amy Truhe had noticed this print among the items offered at the last sale. She thought it was a quite different style from other religious works created by the artist and decided to purchase and donate it to the church art collection.
Collector: Joyce E. Peterson
Artist: Marc R. Anderson, was a “Bethany in Sweden, 81” classmate
Title: “Mora Church”. Medium: Watercolor
Story: This piece of art was a gift. 40 years ago this fall, I was blessed to be part of the “Bethany in Sweden” experience led by Ray and Vicki Kahmeyer. We traveled and studied art in England, the Netherlands, Sweden and Italy. We attended school for one semester at the Mora Folkhogskola, in Mora, Darlana. This experience changed my life; I’ll be forever grateful to Bethany College and the Kahmeyers for this experience. Marc painted this painting after we returned to Lindsborg.
Collector: Brad Howe
Artist: Lee Becker,
Title: “Blue Moon Crow It”. Medium: Linoleum cut
Lee Becker, a long-time Lindsborg artist and Bethany College art major.
Story: This piece of art was purchased at the Sandzén Holiday Gift Show. Everyone has gazed at the celestial events from Coronado Heights and I found the subject matter interesting because of the rarity of a Blue Moon. There is also a Crow Moon which is the last moon of winter solstice – if that was the artist’s intentions. More of Lee’s work can be viewed at Small World Gallery’s Facebook page.
Collector: Carol Gusenius, member of Messiah Festival of the Arts committee
Artist: Linus Bengtson, Lindsborg (date unknown) Enlarged and tinted by Edward and Alba Almquist, Lindsborg
Title: “Ling Auditorium on Bethany College Campus”.
Medium: Photograph
Story: The art was acquired by purchase at a local Lindsborg art auction. Do you remember? Many people do not know of this building which served as the location for Messiah performances from October, 1895 to spring of 1929 when Presser Hall was dedicated. It was located in the approximate location of the present day Philblad Memorial Union on Bethany College campus and first known as Messiah Auditorium and later as Ling Gymnasium. It was destroyed by fire in March 1946.
Collector: Judy Murphy
Artist: Ellie Murphy grew up in Lindsborg.
Title: “Dijon Shingle” Medium: Encaustic
Story: Ellie Murphy, the artist, is my daughter. She is an artist in Queens, New York. She was born in Urbana, IL, but grew up here in Lindsborg, going to Soderstrom and Smoky Valley High School. This is an encaustic painting of melted beeswax, paraffin and encaustic. She often throws in wax from spent candles from her home. This drawing is completely analog, each stroke records a unique moment in time in sequence. It describes a progression from the beginning moment to the ending moment. And in this way it mirrors the narrative of life. Her encaustic paintings question the borders of fine arts and traditional craft forms. She did this painting on November 6th, 2020 when she was here in Lindsborg for the Artist-in-Residence at the Red Barn. She gave it to me before she left home. I am thrilled and honored to have it. Ellie currently has an installation piece with cords swaying in the wind at the Red Barn Studio enclosed courtyard.
Collector: Emily Howe
Artist: Jordan (Jensen) Gomez
Title: “Finn’s Wind” Medium: Free motion sewing on painted silk
Jordan (Jensen) Gomez moved to Lindsborg with her family at the ripe old age of 9 in 1997 and attended 3rd– 12th grade at USD 400
Story: I purchased this piece on Instagram. I don’t remember really getting to know Jordan until high school and both of us were in Lindy Nelson’s art class. After high school, we went separate ways to college. Thankfully, with social media, I was able to follow Jordan’s artistic journey on Facebook @Jordsen and Instagram @jordsen.sewing.studio. On an Instagram post, I commented, “I want this. Let me buy it.” It was only $65! I had planned to purchase a few more she was posting later that week, but she sold out before I even had a chance to look them over. Inspired by Kansas wind and sunsets, Jordan named my particular piece after my dog, Finn, for an extra personal touch. I’m anxiously awaiting her residency at the Red Barn Studio if she ever turns in the application.
Collector: Bill Brock
Artist: Chip Brock
Title: “Denali Dall Sheep Study”. Medium: Oil
Chip Brock, graduated from Smoky Valley /Lindsborg High School and Fort Hays State University. He is now full-time artist in Wasilla Alaska.
Story: This was a 2019 Christmas gift and therefore a fairly recent piece. Most of what we have are much earlier or prints. Chip loves the wildlife of Alaska and capturing them on canvas.
Collector: Greg and Susan Lundstrom
Artist: Mary Erickson,
Title: “Hawaiian Dancer” (unofficial title) Medium: Pastels
Mary Erickson, currently from Wichita, lived and had a studio/gallery in Lindsborg in the late 90’s – early to 2000’s. She paints with pastels and helped to establish the Pastel Society of Colorado.
Story: We have a couple of Mary Erickson paintings and I really like her style. This piece caught my eye for a couple of reasons. First of all, the subject matter is special to us as we have traveled to Hawaii many times and we especially love the traditional music and dance. You can feel the graceful movement of the dancer in this painting and I love that it depicts the more traditional dance with the greenery around the ankles and wrists. The other thing that drew me to the painting was the color pallet. We had purchased a not-so-beautiful flowered couch in the late 90’s in an attempt to modernize our décor from the country blues of the 80’s to the ever more popular mauve of the 90’s. This painting tied in nicely with that mix of the decades color pallet. Sadly…that couch is still in the living room but this lovely painting ties it all together.
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Collector: Bill Gusenius
Artist: John Blake Bergers
Title: “The Old Lindsborg Grade School” Medium: Oil
John Blake Bergers, a Lindsborg artist who was a professional artist who dedicated his life to painting historical and landscape scenes of the Midwest, especially those described so beautifully in the works of renowned author Willa Cather.
Story: I was interested in this painting because I attended kindergarten through 4th grade in this building. It stood north of State St. (which went from Washington St to Third St. at that time) & west of Washington where Soderstrom School now stands. This view is from the northeast looking southwest and shows a house in the background. Some artistic license was taken as that house actually sits on the east side of Washington near where the viewer is located, rather than in the background across State St. The building was demolished in 1961.
Collector: Michael Mace
Artist: Taton Tubbs,
Title: Untitled Medium: Photo on canvas
Taton Tubbs, life-long resident and his mother is a local artist extraordinaire, Janie Tubbs.
Story: Taton often shares his photography on his Facebook page Through My Eyes. I like this photo and reached out through messenger and ordered the print directly from him. This particular piece intrigued me because Taton used the color to accent one of my favorite places in Lindsborg, Coronado Heights.
Collector: Carol Gusenius
Artist: Maleta Forsberg,
Title: “The Artist’s Garden” Medium: Acrylic
Maleta Forsberg, has earned a reputation for watercolors, oils and acrylics of rural landscapes, animals and architecture in the Midwest.
Story: This painting was an impulse purchase as my husband and I viewed it every time we went to morning coffee at the Courtyard a number of years ago. We had not seen an oil painting by Maleta before and admired the garden scene and vibrant colors, so decided to buy it. Fits perfectly over the piano in our living room. Maleta’s work can can also be viewed on her Facebook page Maleta Forsberg.
Collector: Pam Bowersox
Artist: Robert Lortscher,
Title: “A Picture for the Underground” Medium: Colored etching – Artist Proof
Robert Lortscher, earned his degree at Fort Hays State and studied under Frank Nichols. He taught art at the grade school.
Story: Bob and his wife lived next to my parents across from Deere Hall on 2nd St. Bob gave this to my folks just for being such nice neighbors. Dale Hoag did the framing when I worked at his frame shop.
Collector: Joy Everhart
Artist: Maleta Forsberg,
Title: “Daniel’s Farmhouse” Medium: Watercolor
Maleta Forsberg, has earned a reputation for watercolors, oils and acrylics of rural landscapes, animals and architecture in the Midwest.
Story: Joy Daniels Everhart and Faith Daniels Nilhas commissioned Maleta Forsbert to paint our family farmhouse for our parents, Melbourn and Wilma Daniels’ 45th wedding anniversary. The house was built in 1903, south of Wilson, Kansas on Coal Creek by our great grandparents who had homesteaded adjacent land in 1885. Maleta’s work can can also be viewed on her Facebook page Maleta Forsberg.
Collector: Allen and Vivian Anderson
Artist: John Bashor
Title: “Horn Player” Medium: Woodcut
John Bashor was born in Newton, KS, in 1926 and was a painter and art educator who received his formal training at Washburn University and the University of Iowa and then taught art at Bethany College (1954-1966) He died in 2013.
Story: This piece was acquired at an estate sale in Kansas City, Mo. We were at this estate sale and on a table rolled up was this picture. My husband saw it and recognized the artist. It had a price of $20 on it. If you knew my husband, you would know that he dickers with everyone about the price. Not this time! He whipped out the money, grabbed the rolled-up canvas and pulled me out the door. I’m asking, “What’s up?” he said, “I’ll tell you later.” Clearly, they didn’t know who John Bashor was.
Collector: Marla Elmquist
Artist: Lee Becker,
Title: Untitled Medium: Acrylic
Lee Becker, says of herself, “a studio artist working in various painting mediums, printmaking and sculpture in my own studio.” Studied painting, sculpture and printmaking at Bethany College.
Story: Lee Becker painted Bennett Nelson Bennett following Nelson’s long stay in Lindsborg at the end of his life. Nelson was a traveling artist’s model who, as a child, sat for Picasso in his studio. Nelson had traveled through Lindsborg many times stopping at Anton Pearson’s studio for a place to stay while modeling for college students and local artists. Nelson was known for telling stories of artists he met and modeled for. His final home was provided by Mary Zillmer. Nelson returned to Lindsborg because he remembered how welcoming and kind the artists were to him during the years he traveled through. He was a gentle, courtly man, loved by the people who stopped long enough to get to know him. Lee gave the painting to the Elmquists because they shared Lee’s admiration for Bennett Nelson Bennett. More of Lee’s work can be viewed at Small World Gallery’s Facebook page.
Collector: Larry Elmquist
Artist: Lee Becker,
Title: Untitled Medium: Acrylic
Lee Becker, says of herself, “a studio artist working in various painting mediums, printmaking and sculpture in my own studio.” Studied painting, sculpture and printmaking at Bethany College.
Story: Don Valentine Ely was a long-time Lindsborg resident. Lee painted him where members of the community saw him most of the time – downtown Lindsborg. Larry and Marla Elmquist purchased this painting because Don is someone Larry admired. Lee Becker painted Don because he was part of the town and often sat at the artists’ table at the “City Bakery…” and because he was Lee’s Friend. More of Lee’s work can be viewed at Small World Gallery’s Facebook page.
Collector: Bruce Harding
Artist: Max Muller
Title: “Haggie and the Coffee Shop”
Medium: Oil, painted in 1965
Max Muller, was an area resident who was an art and music major at Bethany College. He founded Broadway RFD in 1959.
Story: According to Linda Harding, Bruce’s wife, “Carl Hagstrand (Haggie) was my father and we acquired the painting following Carl’s death in 1978. Max Muller always had coffee with Haggie and other locals at the City Bakery. He did the painting on the ‘sly’ and presented it to him at the coffee shop.”
Collector: Jeff Lahodny
Artist: Tom Johnson
Title: Unknown Medium: Metal art assemblage
Tom Johnson grew up in Falun and graduated from Lindsborg High School where he learned welding. He has been creating metal sculptures for about 8 years. The sculptures are assembled using machine shop scraps called “skeletons.” These are the remnants left over after a punching or laser cutting job. Tom likes finding the interesting or intricate patterns created by the skeletons and artistically arranging them to create sculptures of all sizes and shapes.
Story: We own four of Tom’s works which are available for sale from Collections and Essentials here in Lindsborg. The sculptures are showcased in our gardens where they add a distinct contrast to the plantings and hardscape (which could be a path or steps made from “hard” material.) We absolutely love them and appreciate the upcycling of material that otherwise would be discarded.
Collector: Mike Hartung
Artist: Mike Hartung
Title: “The Bar Fly” Medium: Acrylic on board
Story: I didn’t intend to include Merle in this painting: it was a solitary figure in toe shoes, leaned against the bar following the sunlight’s path across the floor. But I needed to look at a bar, so I went down to Farley’s. Merle was working, made me some coffee and we talked. He had a few customers wander through and I commented on how complicated bar tending looked. He was dressed for the job, looked pretty nappy, actually. Well, I made my mental notes on the mirror and bottles and neon lights and departed. Later to further separate the bar fly, I added Merle at the far right in his garb. I’m not sure if he picked up on his image but, one of the other people with us at the first viewing did and pointed it out. I told his I had made him immortal.
