The James L. Russell
Wonderland Way Collection Paul W. Ogle Cultural and Community Center
The First Ten Installed November 20, 2014
James L. Russell (1872–1937), a New Albany artist, opened his Art Shop in 1906 and created an influential gathering place for regional artists during a time that preceded World War I and continued into the 1930s. Inspired by a stretch of scenic auto roads from Cincinnati, Ohio to Mount Vernon, Illinois known as the “Wonderland Way,” the artists adopted this name for their Art Club. After meeting at Russell’s Art Shop, the self-titled Wonderland Way artists would travel to scenic locations in the region and paint en plein air, a French expression which means “in the open air.” Grover Page, Jr., a former member of the Wonderland Way Art Club, wrote, “James L. Russell was not only a significant ‘Depression artist’ of the ‘30s, he was the kindest and most gentle person I ever knew. He was the favorite artist of everyone in New Albany and the surrounding and distant areas. In 1931, at the age of thirteen, I became a regular among local artists and art lovers who frequented Jim’s Art Shop on Market Street. Jim started the Wonderland Way Art Club for any artist in the area who wanted to study and discuss art.” Kathy Russell Smith, granddaughter of James L. Russell, and her husband, Don Smith, are proud to present these first pieces of art as part of a permanent collection of works. Kathy and Don have personally spearheaded efforts to make the James L. Russell Wonderland Way Collection a reality. Through the Smiths’ generosity, this collection preserves the history and heritage of the art of our region, and they encourage others to follow their lead. The Wonderland Way Art Club included more the 300 artists. In addition to James L. Russell’s works, some of the Wonderland Way artists you will see represented in the collection include John T. Bauscher, Orville Carroll, William Hancock, Grover Page, and Russell’s son, James J. Russell. The following ten paintings are the first to be installed at the Ogle Center and are currently on display. When completed, it will be the largest permanent collection of Wonderland Way artists in the world and will consist of well over 100 works of art.
www.ius.edu/wonderland-way
James L. Russell Katherine Bulliet
Fog Over Chicago, 1931 Oil on canvas
Field and Sky in the Knobs, 1927 Oil on board
Orville Carroll
From Beeler Point in Silver Hills, 1964 Oil on canvas
John T. Bauscher
Covered Bridge Over Kentucky River, 1930 Oil on canvas
James L. Russell
Elizabeth, Indiana, 1934 Oil on canvas
James L. Russell
Zinnias in a Blue Vase, 1931 Pastel on paper
James L. Russell
Autumn Beeches, 1937 Pastel
James J. Russell
The Snake Charmer, 1930 Oil on canvas
Ferdinand Graham Walker
Christina Brenner Portrait, 1921 Oil on canvas
James J. Russell
Male Figurative, 1933 Oil on canvas
www.oglecenter.com Indiana University Southeast Paul W. Ogle Cultural and Community Center 4201 Grant Line Road New Albany, IN 47150 (812) 941-2266
Indiana University Southeast Office of Development 4201 Grant Line Road New Albany, IN 47150 (812) 941-2464