Historic Bears Mill
Lighting sculptures, collage paintings at “Art at the Mill” 

Historic Bear's Mill will feature two unique artists in the ”Art at the Mill” exhibit opening Friday, August 30 with a reception from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Coldwater native Jane Dippold's collage landscape paintings of Ohio farms will be on display along with Cincinnatian Jay Harrison's lamps created out of vintage bottles, old faucet handles, and steel pipe. “Jay's lighting sculptures literally shine a light on American history while Janes' work highlights the beauty of the farmlands surrounding us here in beautiful Ohio,” said Julie Clark, retail manager and gallery coordinator for Bear's Mill. The exhibit continues through September 22. 

Jane Dippold is well-known for her artwork featured in children's books and magazines, fulfilling her childhood dream of becoming an artist for magazines like her beloved Cricket, a longtime favorite of parents and children. “Dreams can come true, but I am an artist who loves to try new techniques and directions,” says the Miami University graduate. Surrounded by big skies, tidy farms, and long country roads, the artist says that she is inspired to create colorful rural scenes using painted paper on canvas to form collages by simply taking a drive and looking at beautiful farms. “Jane's work creatively captures the simple yet profound beauty of our neighboring countryside, illustrating the lovely farmland that encircles us in rural Ohio,” explained Ms. Clark. 

Combining his passions for history and design, Jay Harrison creates one-of-a-kind lighting fixtures using historic bottles from small, locally owned producers bottling beer, soda, and foods. His discovery of several pre-prohibition bottles from his hometown of Chillicothe sparked an interest in preserving the heritage of the neighborhood breweries that were staples of nineteenth century life. Vessels feature logos from recognizable locations, and information specifically about each bottle is included with each fixture. “Bottles are wonderful reminders of our past as they survive the elements and often emerge displaying their original shine; our creations give us the opportunity to help paint a picture of what surrounded us over a century ago,” Mr. Harrison stated. 

Highly collectible hand-carved duck decoys by John Bundy and Greg Adams' rustic willow furniture remain on display at the Mill through August. 25. “Art At the Mill” has received funding from the Ami McClurkin Community Fund, held by the HOPE Foundation of Darke County, and is also supported by Darke County Endowment for the Arts. The art exhibit is on view during regular Mill store hours, 11 a.m. till 5 p.m. daily. Historic Bear's Mill is owned and operated by Friends of Bear's Mill, a non-profit organization, and is located at 6450 Arcanum-Bear's Mill Road about 5 miles east of Greenville. For more information, contact Bear's Mill at 937-548-5112 or www.bearsmill.com.