SoIn 05072015

A News and Tribune Publication

MAY 7, 2015 — Issue 64

finding an artful life

State grants propel two Southern Indiana artists

2 SoIn

May 7, 2015 Publisher Bill Hanson Editor Jason Thomas Design Claire Munn p h o t o g r ap h y Christopher Fryer

WHERE TO FIND SoIn:

ON RACKS: We offer free copies of SoIn at numerous hotels and restaurants around Clark and Floyd counties.

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On the Cover:

LEFT: A butterfly piece made out of stained glass by Donna Baldacci is pictured in a window at her studio, The Stained Glass Gallery, 416 E. Spring St., New Albany, where she works as a stained glass artist and conservationist. RIGHT: A section of braided horse hair that is being worked into a hat band is pictured in Janet Alexander's New Albany home where she creates various pieces of jewelry and accessories made out of horse hair for her business, Swishtails Custom Horsehair Jewelry. | STAFF PHOTOS BY CHRISTOPHER FRYER

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Funding for the arts of SoIn

While every SoIn issue is special, today’s edition is extra significant because it recognizes two Southern Indiana artists that made state officials take notice of their talents.

Janet Alexander and Donna Baldacci, both of Floyd County, received $2,000 Jason Thomas, Editor grants through the Indiana Arts Commission’s Individual Artist Program.

It’s kind of a big deal. The IAC received 135 applications for the fiscal year 2015 program, and was able to fund 38 of them, Jenna Esarey reports in today’s centerpiece. Disciplines represented included visual arts, media arts, photography, design, crafts and folk arts.

To have two artists from the same county recognized is quite an accomplishment.

Janet Alexander creates jewelry out of braided

horsehair. A classroom teacher for 30 years, she took up horsehair braiding after she retired, starting her business Swishtails Custom Horsehair Jewelry out of her home in 2012, Esarey writes.

One of her community projects involved the Opening Gates Equine Therapy and Learning Center in Jeffersonville.

Baldacci has been a stained glass artist for more than 27 years, focusing primarily on historic stained glass conservation. She also designs and fabricates new art glass, Esarey writes. Her work studio fills the sanctuary of a 126-year-old church on the corner of Fifth and Spring Streets in New Albany. Her studio has been busy refurbishing another church: the historic Town Clock Church in New Albany, a critical passage on the Underground Railroad.

Two artists. Two amazing accomplishments.

— Jason Thomas is the editor of SoIn. He can be reached by phone at 812-206-2127 or email at jason. thomas@newsandtribune.com. Follow him on Twitter: @ScoopThomas.

UPCOMING: Come, you spirits  What: Kentucky Shake-

right nOw.

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speare performance of ‘Macbeth’  When: 6 p.m. Friday, May 15  Where: Big Four Station  Info: kyshakespeare.com JEFFERSONVILLE — To be, or not to be isn’t the question.

Shakespeare in the Park will be coming to Big Four Station in Jeffersonville on Friday, May 15, for a free performance.

Kentucky Shakespeare will put on a performance of “Macbeth” at 6 p.m. at the park, which is located at the foot of the Big Four Bridge. The troupe performed at Bicentennial Park in New Albany on April 24.

The free Shakespeare series is annually featured in parks across Louisville. In addition to New Albany, Kentucky Shakespeare will also bring “Mac-

beth” to Jeffersonville this year.

It’s part of the second annual Shakespeare in the Parks Tour, as 18 area parks will host a 90-minute showing of “Macbeth” through May. For 54 years, Kentucky Shakespeare, a nonprofit organization, professional theater company and the oldest free Shakespeare Festival in

the United States, has offered Shakespeare in Central Park to Louisville residents.

Last year in celebration of Shakespeare’s 450th birthday, the organization toured its adaptation of “Hamlet” to eight Metro Parks in Louisville.

For more information, visit the website kyshakespeare. com

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May 7, 2015

3 To Go

3

Indulge in chocolate What: The Chocolate Lovers Stroll

When: 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 8 Where: Spring Street, downtown Jeffersonville Cost: $8 in advance The Chocolate Stroll is a fun event held in Historic Downtown Jeffersonville where you can taste lots of different chocolates. It’s a festive event with a focus on supporting locally owned businesses. On the day of the event, ticket-buyers must first visit the registration area in the Glossbrenner Garden, at the corner of Spring and Chestnut streets, where they will pick up their map to visit participating shops for a tasting of chocolates.

2

Contemporary quilting

What: ‘Form, Not Function: Quilt Art at the Carnegie’ opening reception When: 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 8 Where: Carnegie Center for Art & History, 201 W. Spring St., New Albany Cost: Free Info: carnegiecenter.org “Form, Not Function: Quilt Art at the Carnegie,” is an exhibition exploring the world of contemporary art quilts. This annual, juried exhibit draws works of art by artists across the United States.

3

Peruse some pets

What: Pet Fair When: noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 9 Where: New Albany-Floyd County Public Library parking lot, 180 W. Spring St., New Albany The Pet Fair includes live music, costumed characters, a pet parade, and lots of pet friends and the people who love and advocate for them. Local pet rescue groups, pet advocacy organizations, and pet-related services will educate attendees about responsible pet ownership and resources that are available.

Gotta Go: Interested in seeing your event in our 3 To Go?

Email SoIn Editor Jason Thomas at jason.thomas@newsandtribune.com

BELOW: Janet Alexander, New Albany, is pictured inside her home studio where she creates various pieces of jewelry and accessories out of braided horse hair for her business, Swishtails Custom Horsehair Jewelry. | Staff photoS by ChriStopher fryer

Artful e

Two Southern Indiana artists receiv

By JENNA ESAREY newsroom@newsandtribune.com OUTHERN INDIANA — Thanks to $2,000 grants two local artists are expanding their skills and sharing their work with the community.

Janet Alexander and Donna Baldacci, both of Floyd County, received the grants last year through the Individual Artist Program (IAP).

Under the auspices of the Indiana Arts Commission (IAC), the IAP was created in 1999 to provide funding for artists in all disciplines for career development projects. Artists must also show how they plan to involve the community in their work.

Awards are given up to a maximum of $2,000. Funds may be used for supplies, equipment, career development workshops and essential travel for artistic research or to present or complete work.

The IAC received 135 applications for the fiscal year 2015 program, and was able to fund 38 of them. Disciplines represented included visual arts, media arts, photography, design, crafts and folk arts. A total of $75,892 was awarded this year.

S

Janet Alexander, New Albany, braids horse hair together to create a hat band in her home studio. Alexander creates various pieces of jewelry and accessories made out of horse hair for her business, Swishtails Custom Horsehair Jewelry.

enterprises

BELOW: Donna Baldacci is pictured in her studio, The Stained Glass Gallery, 416 E. Spring St., New Albany.

ve state grants to share their work For more information on the grant program and the IAC, visit in.gov/arts/individualartistprogram.htm.

Wearable art made of horsehair

Janet Alexander creates jewelry out of braided horsehair. A classroom teacher for 30 years, she took up horsehair braiding after she retired, starting her business Swishtails Custom Horsehair Jewelry INfO out of her home in 2012.

• For more informaShe was unaware of the art form tion on Alexander until a chance encounter around nine and her art visit years ago. An avid horsewoman, swishtails.wordpress. she encountered a woman wearing com or email her at a horsehair bracelet while riding the swishtails@aol.com. trails at the Clark State Forest.

“I was captivated and determined to learn how to make a bracelet from horse’s hair for myself,” she said.

See ARTISTS, paGe 8

A section of stained glass that is part of a restoration project for the Second Baptist Church in New Albany is pictured in Donna Baldacci’s studio, The Stained Glass Gallery, 416 E. Spring St., New Albany where she works as a stained glass artist and conservationist.

Bring Your Family, Sweetheart or Make it a “Girls Night Out”!

6 Entertainment

May 7, 2015

Chocolate Lovers Stroll Friday, May 8 2015 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Chocolates!

Live Music!

Enticing Shops!

In Historic Downtown Jeffersonville Sample Decadent Chocolates Stroll Under the Trees in the Historic District Listen to Live Music on the Sidewalks Cash In on Special Deals in Local Shops

Adult Tickets $8 in advance • $10 day of event Children 12 and under $5 Tickets available at: Choices Boutique (437 Spring St.) Schimpff’s Confectionery (347 Spring St.) The Springs Salon & Spa (234 Spring St.) t.)

Pearl Street Treats (301 Pearl St.) Budget Print Center (902 E. 10th St.) or by visiting www.JeffMainStreet.orgg Special Thanks to the following:

MOVIES: May 8

é “Hot Pursuit”

 “Preggoland”

albums: May 12

books: May 12

é “When the Smoke Clears” by

é “Luckiest Girl Alive” by Jes-

 “Bush” by Snoop Dogg

 “The Sound of Glass” by

Hinder

sica Knoll

Karen White

Wilco to play Iroquois on Friday LOUISVILLE — One of the best live acts of the past two decades will make a stop for an open-air show at Iroquois Amphitheater in

Louisville on Friday, May 8.

A check of the venue’s website show a limited number of reserved tickets remain for $40 each.

The Chicago-based band hasn’t released an album since 2011, but has a string of critically acclaimed albums to pull from. Recent setlists have run 30 songs deep and featured fan favorites such as “Camera,” “Outtasite (Outta Mind)” and “I Am Trying to Break Your Heart.”

The Jeff Tweedy-led collective has singer-songwriter Steve Gunn opening. For more info, visit iroquoisamphitheater.com — Shea Van Hoy

May 7, 2015

Entertainment 7

Local SoIn Happenings Feeling left out? Send your establishment’s and/ or organization’s upcoming events/new features/ entertainment information to SoIn Editor Jason Thomas at jason.thomas@newsandtribune.com

 Live music at Huber’s

When: 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sunday Where: Huber Winery Saturday, May 9: Corey & Stacey; Sunday, May 10: Rusty Bladen; Saturday, May 16: Carl Stuck; Sunday, May 17: Petar Mandic; Saturday, May 23: Josh & Holly; Sunday, May 24: Joe Dotson; Saturday, May 30: CMN Trio; Sunday, May 31: Aquilla Bock [huberwinery.com]

Friday, May 8: Nick Dittmeier; Saturday, May 9: Katie and Kaela; Friday, May 15: Eric and Kenny; Saturday, May 16: The Strays; Friday, May 22: mem; Saturday, May 23: mem; Friday, May 29: Kyle Hastings; Saturday, May 30: Tyler Stiller [bigfourburgers.com]

 Live music at Charlie Nobel’s

Where: Charlie Nobel’s Eatery + Draught House, 7815 Ind. 311, Sellersburg When: Friday and Saturday Friday, May 8: Kyle Hastings; Saturday, May 9: The Strays; Friday, May 15: Katie and Kaela

 Corydon Jamboree Live

Where: 220 Hurst Lane, Corydon When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday Saturday, May 9: Allen Hilbert, Leigh Ann Cooper; Saturday, May 16: Todd Bally, Greg Perkins, Bob Demaree “Country Boy Ministries” on piano; Sunday, May 17, Special Show: The Donnie Strickland Show, 3 to 5 p.m.; Saturday, May 23: The Lloyd Wood Show, Special guest Sammy Wray; Saturday, May 30: Taylor Lynch, Susan West; Sunday, May 31: Beautiful Star Beauty Pageant General Admission $10; children 6-12, $6; under 6, free. For reservations, directions or any other information call 812-738-1130. [corydonjamboree.com]

 Live music at Wick’s

What: Live on State Where: Wick’s, 225 State St., New Albany Friday, May 8: Shotgun Serenade; Saturday, May 9: Rocketwood; Friday, May 15: Radiotronic; Saturday, May 16: 812; Friday, May 22: The Blues & Greys; Saturday, May 23: Gas Money; Saturday, May 30: Soul Circus

 Live music at NAPH

Where: New Albany Production House, 1736 E. Main St., New Albany Friday, May 15: Posphene with Caducus, Ghost Bomb, Old Soul Envy & Dark Horse, 6:30 p.m., $6 advance/$8 day of show; Saturday, May 16: Time & Distance with Begging Victoria, 2Night’s Entertainment, Get Up Get Downs and Zach East, 6:30 p.m., $6 advance/$8 day of show; Sunday, May 17: Event Horizon with Mindless Giants, To Die Alone, Messed Up and Ashley Ledrick, 6:30 p.m., $6 advance/$8 day of show [naproductionhouse.com]

 Live music at Big Four Burgers + Beer

Where: Big Four Burgers + Beer, 134 Spring St., Jeffersonville When: Friday and Saturday

 Ross Country Jamboree

Where: 31 Wardell St., Scottsburg When: 7 p.m. Saturdays Friday, May 8: Kings of Swing Country Rock Show, 7:30 p.m., $12: Lanny McIntosh, Dave Campbell, Billy Nett, Kasey Sexton and guests; Saturday, May 9: Natalie Berry, Christy Miller, Lloyd Wood; Saturday, May 16: Ross Country Band; Saturday, May 23: Natalie Berry, Mike Fryman, Christina Walton; Saturday, May 30, 7:30 p.m., $25: Jimmy Fortune, Billy Nett, Maisy Reliford General Admission $10; children 6-12, $6; under 6, free. For reservations, directions or any other information call 866-573-7677. [rosscountryjamboree.com]

 Savory Strawberries

What: 37th annual Starlight Strawberry Festival When: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 23 Where: 8407 St. Johns Road, Starlight The day begins at 8 a.m. with a 5k Walk/Run for the Berries. Build your own strawberry shortcake, enjoy a bratwurst or fish sandwich, play bingo, try your luck at a classic festival wheel, or enter a pie eating contest. The homemade chicken dinner is served from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. There are kids’ inflatables, a mini-soapbox derby, and live music and entertainment.

8 SoIn

May 7, 2015

ARTISTS: Women describe their journeys into specialized arts CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 Much of Alexander’s work now consists of consignment pieces for clients who provide her with tail hair from their own horses. Alexander said she tends to put less emphasis on embellishments such as metal, beading, cords or ribbons, focusing instead on the actual braiding.

“Just as I was mastering the fundamentals of horsehair braiding and getting the bug to learn more, I discovered the IAC and its IAP grants,” she said.

She used her grant money, supplemented with money of her own, to study under a master teacher in Alberta, Canada.

“It was the experience of a lifetime,” she said. “I learned a lot and have skills to practice for years to come. My passion and talent were validated. I was inspired.”

Alexander says she now feels more confident in her abilities and that the experience has inspired her to follow her own artistic path rather than merely emulating the work of others.

Since her return, she has begun working on more complex eight-string braids and earrings.

She has also created horsehair cancer awareness ribbons. She is also branching out into hatbands and stamped strings for westernstyle cowboy hats.

While the grant requires one community project, Alexander chose two. The first involved the Opening Gates Equine Therapy and Learning Center in Jeffersonville, crafting bracelets for a group graduating from the tails of their assigned horses.

“I wanted to create beautiful talismans for the grads to make them feel special and remind them of the lessons they learned form their equine teachers as they move forward in life,” she said.

Her second project allowed her to interact with the public.

Demonstrating her craft at the

Janet Alexander, New Albany, braids horse hair together to create a hat band in her home studio. Alexander creates various pieces of jewelry and accessories made out of horse hair for her business, Swishtails Custom Horsehair Jewelry. | Staff photos by Christopher Fryer Oktoberfest in Salem provided her the challenge of making it visually interesting.

“I introduced a new art form to some folks and offered others a local alternative to the geographically distant artists who advertise on the Internet.”

Although she does not know of any, Alexander said that she would love to connect with other local horsehair artists.

“I am a newbie with a lot yet to learn and it would be so nice to have a local support group to share knowledge and ideas with.”

Artistry in stained glass

Donna Baldacci has been a stained glass artist for more than 27 years, focusing primarily on historic stained glass conservation. She also designs and fabricates new art glass.

Her work studio fills the sanctuary of a 126-year-old church on the corner of Fifth and Spring Streets in New Albany.

Massive 90-year-old stained glass windows dominate two walls.

“We’ve got 8,000 square feet so we’ll never outgrow it,” she said.

Baldacci handles private com-

info

• To learn more about Baldacci and her work, visit her studio at 416 E. Spring St., New Albany, go to facebook.com/SGGStudio, or email her at Donnab44@frontier.com

IF YOU GO

• Who: Donna Baldacci and Kirk Richmond, Stained Glass Gallery • What: Talk on the restoration of the stained glass at historic Town Clock Church • When: 7 p.m. today, May 7 Where: Stained Glass Gallery, 416 East Spring St., New Albany • Why: Attendees will be able to view up-close and learn about the conservation process being performed on the stained glass windows for the historic Second Baptist Church. Refreshments will be served. missions and retail, but her love is historic preservation.

“What I do is a dying art. I’m literally a dinosaur,” she said.

Everything is done by hand.

“There is no automation in this craft,” she said. “A woodworker has a lathe. In my world there is no tool. Every aspect is by hand.

It’s very, very laborious.”

Donna Baldacci works on a restoration project in her studio, The Stained Glass Gallery, 416 E. Spring St., New Albany, where she works as a stained glass artist and conservationist.

She is currently working on three church restoration projects, including New Albany’s historic Town Clock Church.

“We have clients from coast to coast,” she said.

Originally from Los Angeles, Baldacci fell in love with stained glass as a child walking to school every day past a stained glass studio.

“I always wanted to go in,” she said.

At age 17 or so, she finally worked up the nerve and stepped inside.

“I knew right away. I turned into a shop kitty,” she said. “Always sitting in the corner watching. They saw that I was serious.

I was absolutely hooked.”

She learned the craft and dabbled with commission work, but then “reality set in and you have to pay bills,” she said. She moved to Lake Tahoe working for the casinos during the day and stained glass consignments at night.

When the casinos opened in Indiana around 18 years ago, she relocated, working part time at the casino for a while before deciding to take the plunge and make stained glass her career.

Along with her husband Kirk

Richmond, now also a stained glass artist, she opened a retail store in Clarksville while working on stained glass in their home.

In 2013 they purchased the church building, relocating much of their work to the old sanctuary but maintaining a home studio as well.

Her grant money went toward the purchase of a new programmable kiln for her painted and fired glasswork.

Her community project will involve making the kiln available to other artists for a firing fee and offering beginning and advanced classes in stained glass and kilnformed glass.

“I promised myself that if I can make it and had my own studio I would give back,” she said.

“I’ve never applied for a grant before,” she said. “I got online and read all about the IAP. It’s a wonderful program. I’m so proud that Indiana has that.

“I’m so, so eternally grateful that I get to do this for a living. I will never be a millionaire. I will never be rich,” she added. “You have to be born to do this. The wages are not great. I think I’m up to four cents an hour. It’s a labor of love.”