Circa Arts Gallery

Several weeks ago, I mentioned that I would tell you about the fascinating arts gallery we visited in South Bend, Indiana.  Time and circumstances are now right for me to focus on sharing this special place and owner with you.

 

Background:  I had passed this quaint building several times as I drove through South Bend, and was determined to visit.  So, one day while visiting a nursery in town, Hubby agreed to visit the gallery with me.

This was our first view of the building and as you might expect, there is a history.  Built in 1904, it has been used as a drug store, grocery, radio shop, flooring & tile business and finally as as aluminum and siding company until 1988.

Kathy Reddy White and her husband, Gary bought this historic building in 1999 and after rehabilitating the entire building, opened it full-time in 2002.  That same year the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Kathy and Gary combined their interests in antiques (Circa) and art (Arts) in creating the name,

CircaArts Gallery.

 CircaArts Gallery commissioned Dave Blodgett to paint a mural on the east side of the building to draw attention to the gallery and shops inside.  The scene is a turn-of-the-century version of the shops that were at that time housed in the building - CircaArts Gallery and Inspire Me! (an upscale women's clothing and accessories shop which has since moved to the historic building next door).  This was the first facade grant issued by Downtown South Bend, Inc. and was completed in 2003.

Upon first view from the rear, we weren't exactly sure what to expect.  But, it was so rustically appealing, I couldn't resist.

Once we approached the covered back door, our senses were greeted by all things quaint and dated.

And, we were tempted to....

At first knock on the back locked screen door, we were greeted by a welcoming "Meow" coming from inside.  We learned that the gallery was actually closed because Kathy, the owner, was trying to complete a commissioned painting.  But, she was so gracious and invited us in.  The source of the "Meow" was also very welcoming and let me scratch her a bit.

This is the painting she was working on.  I could easily be transported into that scene.  Couldn't you?

 Kathy willingly explained the purpose of the gallery and many of the pieces on display.

The gallery is dedicated to supporting local artists and to provide one-of-a-kind gifts for local residents and visitors, like us.  They have works by approximately 30 local artists on consignment and represent emerging as well as established artists.

This is a tiled and painted piece that Kathy did.  I really liked the combination of materials in this arts and crafts piece.

Kathy is standing at the top of the stairs that lead into her tile studio and it takes you into another world.

 This is where the tile creative process begins and finishes.  I felt so privileged to be in that space.

This is a fireplace surround that she created and has displayed in this area.

 Could you not be content to wile away a few hours in this cozy little nook?

 I came away with one of her beautiful tile pieces of my favorite flower, the Iris, and have it displayed in my sunroom.

Should you ever be in the South Bend area, I do hope you will drop in and visit Kathy in the

CircaArts Gallery and tell her Libby sent you.

In the meantime, you may enjoy just visiting with her in this interesting video:

 Kathy Reddy White

May you have an art-filled day!

Miscellany Monday - What a Week!

WOW!

What a week we have had!  Actually, the craziness didn't just start this week.  We walked into the busy, busy lives of the John Day Family a couple weeks ago.

But, just let me share with you what we have been able to share with this active family this past week.

In order to do that, I am joining Carissa at Miscellany Monday.   Thank you again, Carissa for hosting us every Monday.

I am going to begin with

Tuesday.

Granddaughter #5, Mary-Elizabeth, was inducted into the

National Junior Honor Society at her school, Discovery Middle School.

It was such an honor for her to be chosen.  The criteria was so high that she was one of 21 sixth graders chosen from a class numbering more than 300 students.

Discovery is a National Blue Ribbon School, of which there aren't too many.

Students were chosen because of their high scholastic standing, character, leadership, and service.

We could not be more proud of our outgoing and beautiful granddaughter.  One of her best friends, Makenzie was also selected.

Wednesday

Hubby and I took a trip into South Bend to visit a nursery only to find out while there that it is the oldest family owned greenhouse in Michiana.  It was started by the current owner's great grandmother in 1920 and moved to the back yard of someone's tiny little house in the West End in 1949 where it is today.  It may be a tiny little place but it is jam packed with beautiful, healthy plants of every description.

 Afterward, we drove around the residential area of South Bend and found this adorable little cottage.

We also visited an art gallery, but that is a whole complete blog of its own.

Thursday

National High School Rugby Championship begins!
The local Rugby Association hosted the Nationals in Elkhart, IN, only a short distance from John's house.  You may recall Hubby and Son attending this event with Jackson in Salt Lake City last year.  What an exciting time for the whole family to be able experience Rugby at this level.

As this was Jackson's third and final opportunity to compete, we took the girls out of school early so they could support their big brother.  Little did they know that Mom and Dad had a surprise waiting for them upon arrival at the Rugby Fields.

They were each given a sweet card, a Stella & Dot necklace and tickets to "Wicked" for that evening.

Needless to say, they were very excited girls.  They had seen the Broadway play in Chicago last year and so wanted to see it again here in South Bend.  Son was kind enough to get tickets for his parents as well, and the six of us had a great evening.  The play was amazing!

Now, back to Rugby!

Jackson is a Senior so this was his last opportunity to play for the National Title.  They came in 2nd last year in Salt Lake City.

Penn was ranked #4 in the Nation and they played against the #5 team and WON.

 Jackson got quite a shiner as you can see, but he played tough, making two of the four Tries.

Friday

Game #2 was Friday afternoon against the #1 team, Gonzaga, Washington DC.

 It was a hard fought battle, but we were not to win against this strong team.  They had scouted Jackson and knew how to bring the Big Man down.  He played one of his best games, but it just wasn't to be.

He looks like a man playing with children, doesn't he?

That evening, Savannah had her Eighth Grade Dance.

In my unbiased opinion, she was the prettiest girl there!  Unbiased! I repeat, totally and completely unbiased!

I was able to take her to meet a friend for makeup and hairdo's then group pictures.

Saturday

Again, to the Rugby fields for the last game.

Early in the game, Jackson had a head butt to his right thigh causing a deep bruise.  He played the rest of the game but he wasn't at his best.  Needless to say, they lost and came in 4th for the tournament.  A real disappointment!

Sunday

This morning, we hit the Soccer field at 7:15.  And yes, this is the same gorgeous, feminine, Elizabeth Taylor look alike you saw earlier.  She is a fierce competitor on the soccer field.  A total contradiction!

 We got home in time to make a few wardrobe changes and get to the 11:30 worship service at Granger Community Church.

It has been a busy, busy week indeed, and the next two will be just as crazy, but I wouldn't change a thing.

I trust your week will be equally full of blessings.

Happy Friday from Snow-Covered Michiana

Michiana, a small area that includes counties in southwestern Michigan and north central Indiana and centered around the home of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN.

Hubby and I drove up to Granger, IN from warm and humid Louisiana on Wednesday.  It was a 15 hour drive for us, but one we make as interesting as possible. Actually, the view from the car is not one that would keep you awake; on the contrary, it is a rather boring drive.  So, we entertain ourselves by listening to audio books. This trip was spent with David Baldacci's "The Forgotten." 

Anyway, the day before we left, the temperature in Shreveport was in the mid 70's. I kept my back porch doors open all day, enjoying the wind that was blowing a storm in our direction. After the cold front that preceded the storm, the temperature when we left at 4AM was 48 degrees. It was interesting to watch this number make a steady decline as we drove northward. 

When we reached Kankakee, IL where we take the country road eastward in order to avoid Chicago traffic (honestly, the GPS actually sends us through a corn field at one point, dirt/mud and all), the temperature was 32. Once we reached the Toll Road, about 60 miles from our destination, the snow started.  Oh how I wish we had the means to capture what these trillions of tiny sparklers swirling around in front of you look like.  When we arrived in Granger, IN, it was a cold, windy, snowy 28 degrees.

Unloading the "Hillbilly Clampett" wagon was done in short order with all 7 of us participating.

The next morning, it was 18 degrees with a windchill of 4.  And the snow!  Oh my!

If you have never seen lake effect snow, there is no way to describe its absolute beauty.  The flakes are huge and it blows - sometimes it is completely horizontal, other times it is swirling from all directions.  I simply cannot get enough of it!  We are supposed to get an additional 2-4 inches.

Yesterday afternoon I did get outside long enough to take a few pictures.

 This little bird landed on a branch right above my head and was perfectly content to be photographed.

Have a great weekend, my friends.