Muralist Tammie Davis working on a project

By Darla McCammon

Many of our important government buildings contain murals. A mural can be inside or outside but it is generally a rather large scale painting that covers a wall or the side of a building. Often murals will represent something significant to that community. 

Murals on the outside of buildings require extra care in order to preserve them well. They also often require more preparation in order to make the surface receptive to the work being applied by the muralist. 

A muralist is an artist, like Robert Hudson, who does many different types of art, but also is capable of painting large works such as the outstanding murals he has done for several communities in Indiana.

Tammie Davis is a local artist who is doing two inside murals. You are welcome to go watch her work or just view what she is creating. Tammie is painting murals in the big social hall of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) building here in Warsaw. (photo provided) You will have a chance to see them in person if you attend the (free admission) Vets for Pets event this Saturday, June 20, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at their West Center Street location.

This will be a lot of fun for your family and it helps both our loyal veterans as well as the Animal Welfare League. Great food, music, silent auction, games and prizes for the kids and more. Activities will be inside and outside including a visiting clown with animal balloons and pets for adoption. Don’t let the weather stop you, there is ample room to move everything inside.

One of the murals Davis has nearly completed is a depiction of a big American flag surrounded by a large eagle and other emblems representing the various branches of service. Another mural will be a large flowing tree with places to memorialize those who have served. You can view both on Saturday.

Davis started painting tole and decorative arts in acrylic under the tutelage of Jan Howard from Mentone about 24 years ago. Eventually Davis moved on, taking the occasional class and improving her skills. Now she teaches classes herself and also has work for sale at North Lake Market Place. Future plans include offering lessons at the VFW on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Upcoming and Current Events:

• Rucel Martinez exhibit is now open at Warsaw City Hall Gallery. Visit for free 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.       weekdays.
• The Arturo Yanez exhibit is now open at LAA Gallery. Yanez will present a program at 7 p.m. at the   gallery in Pierceton on June 22. 
• June 20 to July 26, David Slonim Exhibit at Honeywell Clark Art Gallery. Call (260) 563-1102.
• June 30 Andy Corp, poured acrylic exhibit opens at LAA with a reception Sunday, July 5 from 1 p.m.   to 3 p.m.
• July is the month to enter the August Agricultural Art Show at the Heirloom Tomato Festival in       Pierceton. Take entries to LAA Gallery by 4:30 p.m. Aug 1. Entry fee $5 per entry.
• Adult and children workshops always available. Call LAA at (574) 594-9950 for information.

Warsaw City Hall is located at Market and Center Streets, downtown Warsaw. Parking in rear.

LAA is located at 107 N. First St., Pierceton or www.lakelandartassociation.org, Also on Facebook contact your author/artist Darla at [email protected] any time you have comments or questions.