HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – While not every place in the Tri-State has a Picasso, there are plenty of other pieces of art that are held in high regard.
Madisonville Community College – Kentucky
College officials highlighted three different sculptures on the campus.
Officials say “The Wish,” a sculpture at the heart of Madisonville Community College, symbolizes the transformative power of education. Created by Charley Jolly in 2018, the sculpture represents the “wish” of the community, emphasizing education as the key to positive change.
Officials say “Repentance” is a sculpture by Walt Horton. This work was donated by the family of Colonel James R. Blackwell in his memory. It is dated September 2004. Col. Blackwell was a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel. He flew 55 missions as an engineer and gunner in the B-26 Aircraft during the Korean War. His awards and decorations included the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal and the Korean Service Medal with two battle stars.
Officials say “Rejoicing,” which is a sculpture by Karl Jensen, was purchased by Rush Hunt in honor of his wife Barbie Hunt and her service as the first Executive Director of the Glema Mahr Center for the Arts. The installation and dedication were in early 2021.
University of Southern Indiana – Indiana
According to officials with the University of Southern Indiana (USI), the University Art Collection at the University of Southern Indiana is currently comprised of 4,575 historically significant artworks and artifacts representing many periods of art.
Officials say within the university’s entire permanent collection, the largest holding by a single artist is the 265 artworks by Stephen S. Pace, a noted American Abstract Expressionist. This is the largest collection of works outside his estate.
USI says the University of Southern Indiana Foundation received paintings, prints, watercolors and drawings, in addition to several charitable gifts, from the artist and his spouse, Palmina F. Pace. Their gifts included funding to help build the Kenneth P. McCutchan Art Center/Palmina F. and Stephen S. Pace Galleries, which opened on campus on September 8, 2008.
According to officials with the University of Southern Indiana (USI), the Evansville Museum of Arts, History and Science is currently hosting an exhibition of Pace artwork from the University Art Collection, Stephen Pace in Indiana, through September 8, 2024. Stephen Pace received his first formal art training in Evansville as a young man when his family resided in New Harmony. His first solo exhibition was in New Harmony in 1939.
USI says with the Evansville Museum’s new exhibition of Picasso works, it is interesting to note Stephen Pace and Pablo Picasso were friends. In 1944, Pace was in the military and was sent to Paris where he was stationed when World War II concluded. While awaiting transportation back to the states, he continued to paint and explore the famed city. One day, while painting near the river, Stephen met the American expatriate and art collector, Gertrude Stein, who offered to take him to see Pablo Picasso. She gave Pace a tour of the studio until Picasso arrived. The young Pace visited with Picasso and the master invited him to a party he was hosting, and they became friends.
Officials say many paintings from the university’s permanent collection by Stephen Pace are rotated regularly; therefore, Pace’s works are always on display throughout the campus. An art guide for USI can be found here.
USI notes Stephen Pace died in 2010 at the age 91. He was working on a new painting the day before he died. Palmina Pace died in 2015 at age 98. Both are buried in New Harmony in Maple Hill Cemetery.
Below are a few artworks by Stephen Pace that are in USI’s collection.
Henderson Community College – Kentucky
Officials with Henderson Community College say while they don’t have an art piece in the college’s collection that is of the same prestige as a Picasso work, they have another piece of art called “The Optimist,” which is a sculpture by Don Gummer. Officials say this sculpture is the most valuable piece of art on the campus.
Officials say the college acquired the art through the work of local arts organization the Ohio Valley Art League, under the direction of founder Jule McClellan, in response to the 9/11 tragedy. College officials say the entrance to the The Preston Arts Center boasts the first outdoor sculpture in Henderson created by world-renowned artist and Kentucky native, Don Gummer. The sculpture was placed on September 30, 2001. Officials note this is a permanent installation.
College officials say the inscription on the base reads “Fear and hate are no match for love and optimism.” Officials note that Gummer “is/was” married to actress Meryl Streep.
“Eyewitness News.Everywhereyouare.”
