Even though it was only 8-barely-above-zero°, azure skies encouraged 14 attendees at The Loft of Main, during the first “Third Thursday” of 2020. The free coffee klatch was January 16, from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m., before the gallery opened to the public. Monthly, morning meetings allow men and women to visit with interesting folks, while immersed in hundreds of art works, at 112 E. Main Street, Morrison, IL. Dave Boyles, Morrison, was there early and stated, “It’s lovely!”
At the front table seated left-to-right were sisters Emily Scott and Kate Darby, their mother, artist Theresa Brandon, and Scott Vandermyde.
Standing left-to-right around the large table were Sharon Boyles, Sandra Crouse, and Bud McWorthy, all holding multicolored, glass coffee stirrers. These were made by artist Val Butcher. Seated were Sue Noble, Nancy Pannier, Shirley Tegeler, and Martha Kophamer.
Popular woodworker Mayor Everett Pannier stated he sold over 50 items last year. Below, he displayed two new pieces. A small flower vase was fabricated with walnut for the stand and exotic zebra wood for the base. Pebbles are included to hold stems erect. Pannier continually restocks his popular crosses; the new, tonal one is walnut and cherry. He discussed the music boxes he makes in different sizes. A snowman is rotated by the same mechanism that plays Frosty the Snowman. Musical components are costly.
Triangle loom weaver Barbara Youngquist of Rock Island, IL, modeled and held one of her handwoven shawls; a third is in the window. Most are made of wool and precious fibers like mohair and alpaca. She learned to weave on a wood frame, triangle loom five years ago, in order to use up her supply of yarn. Youngquist exhibits her soft shawls at events that support cancer survivors and markets them at art shows and galleries.
