Jackie Meier, who began her art education at Grace College in Winona Lake and went on to the Milan Art Institute in Italy, is exhibiting her artwork at the Warsaw City Hall art gallery. Photo provided by Jackie Meier.

By Darla McCammon
and DeeAnna Muraski
Guest Columnists

WARSAW — Our current series on Art in America has focused on artists, many of whom have passed away, who impacted our American art culture. However, we still have many artists alive today who are still affecting the art world. A perfect example is the new exhibiting artist at the Warsaw City Hall Art Museum.

But first, a reminder about this art museum. A shout-out to my sweet mother, Darla McCammon, who had the vision of having an accessible museum downtown with rotating exhibits that would be free for the public to view. She presented her idea to the then-Mayor Joe Thallemer, and he enthusiastically approved. Like the Art in Action column, which we do for free, my mom has curated the museum for free since the new City Hall opened in 2013. She has secured more than 65 artists from all over the region to showcase their work for free, and the artists receive 100% of sales for any artwork they sell. The museum is a wonderful cultural gift for the community and supplements the no-cost Lakeland Art Association’s gallery, which exhibits members’ work.

Our current artist, Jackie Meier, was born and raised in Indianapolis. Her beloved father passed away from emphysema when she was only 10 years old. The acute loss at such a tender age impacted her life and art for many years. Realizing the relaxing and peaceful outlet that art provided, she was inspired to receive her Bachelor of Arts in art education from Grace College in Winona Lake. She continued these studies at Lourdes College in Sylvania, Ohio, to obtain her masters in art education. The pièce de résistance was graduating from the Milan Art Institute, which celebrates the culmination of studies in Italy.

I would like to know her secret to get all that accomplished while being married for more than 30 years and raising five boisterous boys. Meier and her husband, Donald, currently live in Bowling Green, Ohio, which is a little over two hours’ drive (pretty much directly east) from Winona Lake.

Meier’s artwork is so vibrant and arresting that you cannot help but stop to take it in. She favors florals, animals and landscapes but you might see a dancer thrown in the mix. Jackie states that she feels most comfortable and relaxed when she is in her studio creating. The paintings speak to this in a beautifully haunting way that draws you to them and restores a sense of peace.

She creates her masterpieces through a variety of techniques and mixed media, including acrylics, spray paints, gels, papers, modeling paste, oil pastels and oil paints. Each one can be difficult to work with and requires expert application.

Meier has honed her techniques by teaching a variety of art classes through artdock.org and an introductory acrylic class at the Wood County Senior Center in Bowling Green, Ohio. Recently, she had the honor of being selected to create 30 art pieces for a Wood County community art program.

Meier believes art is important because it allows us to express who we are. Please take the time to visit this artist’s work. She has taken the time to exhibit and proffer her soul through paintings as a gift for viewing by our community.

Events

Lakeland Art Association: Rotating workshops, exhibits and free art-related programs every month. The association has more than 70 pieces of local art to view and for sale. It is located at 302 E. Winona Ave., Warsaw, and is open from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays. Get more information by sending an email to  [email protected].

Warsaw City Hall: Current artist Jackie Meier. Vibrant and colorful landscapes and animals. The gallery is located at City Hall, 102 S. Buffalo St., Warsaw, and is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, except holidays. The gallery is on the first floor and is handicapped accessible.

Darla McCammon is an artist, columnist and author. DeeAnna Muraski is executive director of Operation Read USA Inc. Send an email to the mother/daughter team at either [email protected] or [email protected].