Pictured is “Cows Watering” by Junius R. Sloan. Oil on canvas. 1874. Photo provided by Darla McCammon.

By Darla McCammon and guest Darlene Romano 

“The sketching season is near at hand, and during it, I shall wander somewhat in quest of beauty.” — Junius R. Sloan

Did you know there is an art museum located in Northern Indiana that contains the largest collection of artworks by Junius R. Sloan? Sloan was an artist who lived from 1827-1900.

Previously, Art in Action covered the artists in the group called The Hudson River School. This was a group of New York City-based landscape painters that emerged in about 1850 and was first true artistic community. This talented group of artists, which included Sloan, valued the world around them, particularly the great outdoors.

You can now visit a museum nearby and view and appreciate the work of this sought-after artist along with works by other noteworthy and talented artists. There are many artifacts and famous paintings this museum has judiciously acquired over the years. And all this artwork is within an easy drive for most of Art in Action’s readers.

Called The Brauer Museum of Art, this facility is recognized for its carefully curated and extensive collection of artworks. The Brauer Museum is in Valparaiso, on the campus of Valparaiso University. During your visit, you can view the collection of works of the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries by a wonderful variety of artists, including Sloan.

Just a few of the artists represented in the collection include Frederic Edwin Church, John Kensett, Asher Durand, Elizabeth Nourse, T. Alexander Harrison, Walt Kuhn, Georgia O’Keeffe, Elaine de Kooning, Dale Chihuly, Ansel Adams and Andy Warhol — including one of his famous “soup can” paintings. I am sure you will be impressed with the collection at this well-known university.

The Brauer Museum has an extensive number of valuable paintings and writings of Sloan. The second oldest in a family of eight children, Sloan exhibited an early proficiency in art. Fortunately, there were members of his family who encouraged him. However, his father wanted him to make money painting signs instead of the beautiful landscapes that became his trademark.

He decided to pursue his passion for art and did not take his father’s advice. He stuck with the landscape style of the Hudson River School throughout his life, despite changes in the world of art. European imports became the rage and other art mediums gained footing, but he continued with what he was passionate about.

The Brauer Museum upholds and honors the work of Sloan and other artists producing American art. You will gain a fulsome exposure to all types of art as you take advantage of learning about this impressive collection of over 5,000 pieces of art, including 400 oils, watercolors and sketchbooks from Sloan.

The Brauer Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Admission is free. For more information, call (219) 464-5000 or go to valpo.edu/brauer-museum-of-art/.

EVENTS

Honeywell 92 County Competition: The juried artwork from the competition is on display through Feb. 13 at the Honeywell Clark Gallery in Wabash. Many of the juried pieces of artwork are for sale and can be purchased at the gallery box office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call (260) 274-1411 or visit honeywellarts.org.

Warsaw City Hall Art Gallery: Local artist Deana Harvey will be displaying her artwork through the end of March. Make sure you stop by to view her work. To exhibit at Warsaw City Hall Art Gallery, contact Darla McCammon, curator, by leaving a message at  (574) 527-4044 or by emailing [email protected].