Circus art - Now appearing at Flora Library
By Jennifer Archibald Staff writer

Tin can stilts Walking on tin can stilts isn't easy, but proving it can be done are (l-r) Sydney Francis, Truman Plank, Madison Kauffman, and Savannah Bordner. They made the stilts in the summer art class at the Flora Public Library. Comet photo by Jennifer Archibald

Come one, come all to the circus art reception at the Flora-Monroe Public Library on Saturday.

Children of all ages are invited to a circuslike atmosphere, with a clown, face painting, refreshments, and circus art displayed throughout the library.

Parents may want to bring a camera because children can put their heads in the cutout faces of life-size circus figures. Made in the summer art classes, some of these figures are jugglers, a ballerina, a contortionist, and a performer riding on the back of an elephant.

The big show will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Those who want to see all the art might want to come early because the artists can take their pieces home at any time during those hours.

Grace Woodruff was the instructor for the classes, which were held in conjunction with the library's summer reading program. The theme for both was "It's All About the Circus!"

Circus art Pictured are jointed circus figures made in summer art class. Comet photo by Jennifer Archibald

Classes were offered for all ages, including adults. Woodruff said the classes made a total of 16 different multi-media art projects. Some of the projects on display are puppets, foil and papier-mâché sculptures, collages, dioramas, mobiles, tin can stilts, and paintings with ink details.

Woodruff said the projects were inspired by the work of several artists, including Seurat, Calder, Picasso, Chagall, Toulouse-Lautrec, Dufy, and Renoir.

The art classes were free to those who signed up for the summer reading program. The classes were sponsored by grants from the Tippecanoe Arts Federation and the Carroll County Community Foundation.